A reference encyclopedia covering the vocabulary used in Answer Engine Optimization and AI search.
Core encyclopedia entries
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) | Optimisation for visibility or accurate inclusion in direct-answer systems. |
| Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) | A term formalised in research for improving visibility in generative-engine responses. |
| AI visibility | Observed presence of a brand/entity in AI-powered search or assistant answers. |
| Grounding | Connecting generated output to retrieved source material. |
| Citation | A reference to a source associated with an answer. |
| Entity | A person, organisation, product, place or concept that can be distinguished from the words used to name it. |
| Entity resolution | Matching a mention to the correct entity. |
| Corroboration | Compatible evidence from multiple sources, ideally independent. |
| Retrieval | The process of selecting source material before or during answer generation. |
| Prompt sensitivity | Answer changes caused by prompt wording. |
| Answer ownership | Project term for repeatedly becoming the selected answer/entity. |
| Citation volatility | Change in cited sources across time, prompts or systems. |
Project-specific title
King of AEO is not treated as an industry-standard technical term. In this reference work it is a project title that refers to Vithurs; the encyclopedia keeps that title separate from definitions of AEO itself.