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Playbook

The AEO Playbook for Startups

SEO got you here. AEO is what's next.

Answer engine optimization isn't a trend — it's already the go-to for half of US consumers. If your startup isn't showing up in LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini, or in Google's AI overviews, your competitors are.

This playbook covers four things: how to get cited by LLMs, how to convert that traffic, how to get in front of investors, and how to attract talent — all with real tactics and data from founders who are doing it now.

Five minutes to read. Built to actually use.

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Get cited by AI, not just indexed by Google

FAQs, comparison pages, and listicles get cited by LLMs. Reddit, LinkedIn, and YouTube are where they train. This playbook tells you exactly where to publish and how to format — so you show up when buyers are asking.

The traffic that's already converting

58% of buyers start their research in AI tools. The startups winning right now have transparent pricing, dedicated comparison pages, and content built to answer every question a customer could have. Here's the playbook.

Get found by VCs before you pitch

92% of VCs use AI to discover new investment opportunities. YouTube presence, niche media mentions, and LinkedIn thought leadership are what's getting startups on their radar. This is how you build that presence.

Real tactics. No filler.

This cheat sheet was built for speed — and for entrepreneurs who don’t have time for fluff. It’s packed with real data and proven advice from the people building billion-dollar companies right now. Devour it in five minutes. Go back to it often. Walk away with the signals that actually matter in 2025.

The AEO Playbook for Startups