What Is AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) – And Why It Matters for Hospitality Brands

Written By Mark McManus

The way people search is changing—and so should the way hospitality brands show up online.

In the past, users typed short, keyword-based searches into Google:

“hotel in Barcelona”
“best sushi London”

Today, people are turning to voice search, AI assistants, and answer engines like Google’s SGE, Bing Chat, ChatGPT, and Perplexity with longer, more conversational queries like:

“Where’s the best boutique hotel in Barcelona for couples with a rooftop pool?”
“What’s a good sushi spot in Soho open late on Sundays?”

That’s where AEO—Answer Engine Optimisation—comes in.

What is AEO?

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the process of structuring and presenting your content so that answer engines (Google’s featured snippets, AI assistants, and generative search tools) can quickly find, understand, and serve your information directly to users.

Instead of optimising for keywords alone, you're optimising for clear, helpful answers—just like you would if someone asked your restaurant manager or hotel concierge a question in person.

Why AEO Matters for Hospitality Brands

🧭 1. People Are Searching Differently

Travellers and diners are no longer browsing dozens of links. They want immediate, accurate answers, and answer engines are delivering. If your brand isn’t optimised for AEO, someone else’s will be.

🔍 2. Visibility in “Zero-Click” Results

AEO helps you appear in Google Featured Snippets, “People Also Ask” boxes, and AI-generated answers—before someone even clicks on a website.

This is your chance to be the top recommendation for questions like:

  • “Where to stay in Marbella for a luxury beach holiday?”

  • “Best vegan brunch in East London?”

  • “Is there parking at [Hotel Name]?”

🧠 3. Builds Authority & Trust

Answer engines reward content that is clear, accurate, and expert-level. If your brand is answering key questions well, you're positioned as a trusted local authority in your niche.

AEO Tactics for Restaurants, Hotels & Hospitality Brands

Here’s how to start optimising your brand for answer engines today:

✅ 1. Identify the Questions Your Customers Are Asking

Use tools like AlsoAsked, AnswerThePublic, or even your own reservation data and reviews to find common questions like:

  • “Does this hotel allow dogs?”

  • “Is this restaurant kid-friendly?”

  • “What time is check-in?”

Then create FAQ pages, blog posts, or on-page copy that directly answers them.

✅ 2. Write in a Clear, Concise Format

Answer engines love direct, conversational responses. Structure your content with:

  • Headings (H2s/H3s) that match question formats

  • Short paragraphs or bullet points that answer clearly

  • Definitions and summaries that AI can extract easily

Example:

Q: Is [Your Restaurant] open on Sundays?
A: Yes, we’re open every Sunday from 10am–8pm. Brunch is served from 10–3pm, and our à la carte menu runs all day.

✅ 3. Optimise for Voice Search

People speak differently than they type. Think about how someone might ask Siri or Alexa about your business. Create natural-sounding answers for those voice queries too.

✅ 4. Use Schema Markup

Structured data helps search engines and answer engines understand what your page is about. Add schema for:

  • Restaurants

  • Hotels

  • Menus

  • Opening hours

  • Events

  • Reviews

This boosts your eligibility for enhanced results and answer boxes.

✅ 5. Build Topical Authority

The more questions you answer about a specific topic (e.g., vegan food in Manchester, boutique stays in Málaga), the more authoritative your brand appears—both to users and to AI.

AEO vs GEO – What’s the Difference?

While both are future-facing strategies, GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) focuses on being included in AI-generated recommendations, while AEO is about directly answering questions in search and AI platforms.

In short:

  • AEO = Answer the question

  • GEO = Be part of the conversation

Both are essential—and they work even better when combined.

Snack Can Help You Optimise for the Future of Search

At Snack Hospitality, we help hotels, restaurants, and venues stay ahead of digital shifts. Whether you're looking to drive more bookings, boost visibility, or become the recommended spot in your city, we can help you:

  • Identify key questions your audience is asking

  • Structure content to rank in answer engines

  • Optimise for zero-click and AI-driven results

Want to make your hospitality brand AEO-ready?
Let’s talk. Get in touch with Snack and start showing up where it counts.

Mark McManus
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