A multi-chapter free guide to Answer Engine Optimization — getting your name into the answers AI assistants give, rather than into a list of blue links. Covers why search behaviour changed, where ordinary SEO still applies, deciding what you want to be known for, and how to measure and scale the work. Written by Nick Lafferty and Nigel Stevens.
Why I recommend it: The clearest free explanation of AEO I have read, and directly useful if you want an assistant to name you or your business when someone asks. Keep the source in view: Profound sells AEO tracking software and has just raised a $180m round, so the guide is built to make you feel you need a tool to do this. Take the method; test whether you actually need the product.
Search Engine Land's free guide by Curtis Weyant, last updated 30 December 2025, arguing the SEO-versus-GEO argument is a false choice and that the real change is visibility splitting across Google, ChatGPT and social platforms. Quotes the competing positions directly, including Google's "good SEO is good GEO" line. About a 13-minute read, free, no sign-up.
Why I recommend it: If you run a small business and you are being sold a separate "GEO package," read this first. It is the most level-headed free piece I have found on the subject, and it is from a trade publication that lives off this industry, so treat its optimism about measurement tools accordingly.
Times Higher Education Campus guide on using open educational resources to widen the reach of your research and teaching, with practical steps for licensing, sharing and measuring impact.
Why I recommend it: Publishing openly is one of the cheapest ways to build a public track record — this lays out how to start.
A research report based on roughly 95,000 search result records across 3,000 prompts in Claude, laying out seven patterns behind which sites AI assistants cite - useful if you want your business or personal site to surface in AI answers.
Why I recommend it: AI answers are becoming a discovery channel whether we like it or not. If you run a business or a personal site, this is a practical read on being findable there.
A step-by-step checklist for a headline, about section, and skills that get found.
In plain terms: This guide offers a step-by-step checklist for improving your LinkedIn profile. Use it to update your headline, about section, and skills so recruiters can easily find you.
From the site: The Talent Blog is your source for tips, strategies, and inspiration to help you hire and develop talent
Why I recommend it: Recruiters search by keywords. Put the job title you want in your headline.
