AI search jargon, made simple

By Victoria Barton · Updated 11 November 2026

AI stands for artificial intelligence. Here, we mean tools such as ChatGPT that generate answers to questions you type. You may also hear unfamiliar labels when someone offers to help your business appear in those answers.

GEO, AEO and AIO are labels sellers use for work aimed at appearing in AI or other answer tools. Companies do not all use them in the same way. Ask what tasks are included rather than choosing a service because of its initials.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimisation. It means work intended to help people find a website through search engines such as Google. A simple example is making a service page clearly say what you offer and where you work.

Google also shows AI-written responses, called AI Overviews, and offers AI Mode for asking questions. Google says its usual website advice applies to those features too. A place in the ordinary list of website links is still a different result from a recommendation in an AI answer.

What does “AI visibility” mean?

It means whether your business appears in an AI answer. For example, if someone asks for a bookkeeper in Bristol, does the answer include your business? That is one check of your AI visibility.

Be clear about the result. A mention means your name appears. A recommendation means the answer suggests using your business. A website link lets someone select it and visit a page. None of these, on its own, proves that someone became a customer.

What is a prompt?

A prompt is the question or instruction you type into AI. “Can you recommend a bookkeeper in Bristol?” is a prompt. You do not need special wording or code to ask it.

What is a source or citation?

A source is a page used or referred to in an answer. A citation is the marker or link pointing to it. Select the link, open the page and read the relevant part to see whether it supports what the answer says. A source link does not prove that every detail is correct.

What are memory and personalisation?

Memory means saved details from earlier chats. Personalisation means using information about you to tailor a reply. If you previously discussed your business, that information may affect an answer you receive. This does not mean ChatGPT knows every user’s business.

What is a Temporary Chat?

It is a separate ChatGPT conversation that stays out of your saved chat list unless you save it. For a recommendation check, choose Unpersonalized before the first message. That avoids using saved memories, account instructions and connected plugins for personalisation. A regular new chat is not the same thing.

See exactly how to start the ChatGPT check

What work will actually be done?

Ask: “Which pages will you check? Which details will you correct? Which customer questions will you test, and in which AI tools?” Get the answers in writing so you can see exactly what is included.

Then ask: “Will you make the website changes, or give me a list to pass to someone else? Is the price a one-off fee or a regular payment?” A review and completed website work are different services.

You’re allowed to ask for plain English

If someone uses a word you do not understand, ask: “What does that mean for my business? Can you show me an example and tell me what I would do next?” You should not need to learn marketing shorthand to make a decision.

You can also paste a non-private explanation into AI and ask: “Explain this in everyday English. Define unfamiliar words, give an example, and list any questions I should ask before paying. Do not add promises that are not in the original text.” Confirm the details with the provider.

Google’s advice on AI search

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