What is AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring content so that it is selected and cited by AI-driven answer platforms including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and similar systems. It involves entity clarity, answer-first content structure, structured data implementation, and citation-worthiness signals that help large language models identify and trust your content as a source.

What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) refers to optimizing content for visibility in generative AI search environments — systems that synthesize answers from multiple sources rather than returning a ranked list of links. GEO strategy focuses on content authority, entity relationships, structured data, and the signals that cause LLMs to cite specific sources in their generated responses.

What does Vic Shoup specialize in?

Vic Shoup specializes in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) for B2B brands. His work includes technical SEO, international SEO at scale, content strategy, and building methodologies for earning citations in generative AI platforms like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. He has 20 years of enterprise B2B organic growth experience across companies including JLL, Infor, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and JLLT.

Is Vic Shoup available for consulting or contract work?

Yes. Vic Shoup is available for AEO and GEO consulting engagements, technical SEO audits, migration planning, and ongoing advisory work. He is also actively seeking Director-level SEO, AEO, and GEO roles at B2B companies and agencies. Contact him at vicshoup@gmail.com.

Services

Organic Growth Strategy for B2B Brands

I work at the intersection of traditional SEO and the emerging disciplines of AEO and GEO. Whether you need to build an organic program from scratch, fix what is already broken, or specifically win visibility in generative AI search, here is how I can help.

SEO Strategy and Architecture

Full-scope organic programs built for enterprise complexity. This includes site architecture and URL structure decisions, keyword and topic cluster strategy, technical audits, on-page optimization, internal linking architecture, and authority-building through content and entity development.

I have run SEO programs at JLL (80-plus country sites, 40 countries), Infor (22 country sites, six enterprise verticals), LexisNexis (four publications, seven languages), and JLLT. I know how to build systems that scale, not just tactics that work once.

AEO and GEO (Answer Engine and Generative Engine Optimization)

Getting your content selected and cited by Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude is a different problem than getting it to rank on page one. It requires structured thinking about entity clarity, answer-first content architecture, citation-worthiness signals, and how LLMs decide what to trust.

I have produced documented, repeatable AEO results for two independent clients. In April 2024, a content piece I built for JLLT earned a Google AI Overview citation before the feature officially launched. Content I am producing now for Bigfoot Outfitters is cited across Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity across multiple topic clusters.

Technical SEO

Site audits, Core Web Vitals remediation, crawlability and indexation analysis, schema and structured data implementation, hreflang at scale, canonical and redirect strategy, rendering diagnosis. I work directly with engineering and development teams and can translate technical requirements clearly without losing what matters strategically.

International SEO

Multi-country, multi-language organic programs. Country-specific architecture decisions, hreflang implementation, localization workflow design, and performance monitoring across markets. I have owned international SEO at scale across three enterprise roles.

Content Strategy and Editorial Systems

Keyword-to-content mapping, topic cluster architecture, editorial workflow design, and content team management. At LexisNexis I built four industry publications from scratch. At JLLT I developed an AI-assisted content workflow that produced measurable ranking and citation results. I can design systems, not just write briefs.

Engagement Models

Full-Time Director Roles

Actively seeking Director of SEO, Head of Organic Growth, and similar titles at B2B companies and agencies. Remote strongly preferred. Target comp $130K–$160K+.

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Contract and Consulting

Available for project-based engagements: AEO/GEO strategy and content builds, technical SEO audits, migration planning and oversight, or ongoing retained advisory. Especially suited for teams that need senior-level AEO expertise without a full-time hire.

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