In 2026, the way people search for information has fundamentally changed. Your potential customers aren't just typing keywords into Google — they're asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google's AI Overviews for direct recommendations.
"What's the best SEO agency in Dublin?" "How do I generate more leads for my plumbing business?" "Who should I hire for my website?"
The question is: Is your business the answer these AIs give?
AEO vs. SEO: What's the Difference?
Traditional SEO optimizes your website to rank in a list of search results. You aim for position 1 on a page of 10 blue links.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) goes further. It optimizes your content to be the direct answer that AI tools serve to users. There's no "position 2" in an AI response — you're either the recommended answer, or you don't exist.
Traditional SEO
- → Rank in a list of 10 results
- → Optimise for keywords
- → Build backlinks for authority
- → User clicks through to your site
- → Focus on Google primarily
Answer Engine Optimization
- → Be the answer, not a result
- → Optimise for questions & entities
- → Build trust signals for AI models
- → AI cites you as the source
- → Work across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI, Claude
Why AEO Matters in 2026
The numbers tell the story:
Predicted decline in organic search traffic (Gartner, 2026)
Of Google searches now show AI Overviews
Of consumers trust AI recommendations for local services
Clicks needed — AI gives the answer directly
If you're a local business in Dublin, this shift is both a threat and an opportunity. The businesses that optimize for AI answers now will dominate for years to come.
How to Optimize for Answer Engines
After working with dozens of Dublin businesses on AI visibility, here's the framework we use at Webjuice:
Build Entity Authority
AI models understand entities — people, businesses, concepts. Make sure your business has consistent information across your website, Google Business Profile, Wikipedia (if applicable), LinkedIn, and industry directories. The more sources confirm who you are, the more AI trusts you.
Structure Your Data with Schema
Implement JSON-LD structured data markup. Person schema, Organization schema, FAQ schema, LocalBusiness schema. This gives AI models a machine-readable map of your content. At Webjuice, we implement comprehensive schema on every client site.
Answer Questions Directly
Create content that directly answers the questions people ask AI. Use clear, concise language. Lead with the answer, then provide context. FAQ sections, how-to guides, and definitive statements work best.
Earn Citations & Mentions
AI models weigh sources that are frequently cited and mentioned across the web. Press releases, guest posts, industry mentions, case studies on authoritative sites — these all feed into how AI decides who to recommend.
Monitor Your AI Visibility
Regularly test how AI tools talk about your business. Ask ChatGPT and Perplexity questions your customers would ask. Track whether you're being recommended. Adjust your strategy based on what you find.
AEO for Dublin Local Businesses
Local businesses have a unique advantage in AEO. When someone asks an AI "who's the best plumber in Dublin 4?" or "top SEO agency near me," the AI draws from:
- Google Business Profile — Keep it updated, complete, and active with posts and reviews
- Consistent NAP data — Your Name, Address, Phone must be identical everywhere online
- Review signals — More reviews, better sentiment = stronger AI recommendation
- Local content — Content that mentions Dublin locations, landmarks, and local context
- Authoritative backlinks — Links from local newspapers, directories, and business associations
At Webjuice, we manage over 30 Google Business Profiles and have seen firsthand how optimizing these signals directly impacts AI recommendations for local queries.
Is your business the answer AI gives?
Find out with a free AEO audit. We'll test your visibility across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews — and show you exactly how to become the recommended answer.
Michal Barus
CEO & Founder of Webjuice · Dublin, Ireland