As we enter the era of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) for digital marketing, it’s ironic to me that we’re going to have to go back to old practices to advance new ways of marketing. When I started my career as trade magazine editor, companies would hire firms to do media outreach to get my attention and have me write something about their client. Companies wanted validation for their product or service in a reputable publication.

As companies look to gain advantage over competitors with AEO, a key tactic will be getting citations or backlinks for their online content. ChatGPT and the other Large Language Model (LLM)search engines cross reference online posts to see if other reputable websites such as trade publications cite them in order to determine the information’s validity. So, getting a trade magazine editor to mention your company in a story should help boost its AEO visibility.

Along with writing online content in a different manner to get the attention of LLM search engines, marketers are going to have to go back to old practices: engaging in media outreach to publications and other reputable online content makers for their attention.

Let me know your thoughts