C-Suite Strategies
Stacie Sussman
Podcast
Episodes
Listen, download, subscribe
S2E22: From SEO to AEO: The Four Pillars of AI Search Strategy
In this episode, Stacie sits down with Jenna Hannon—first marketing hire at Uber Eats and founder of GetHatter.ai—to break down the shift from SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and what it means for your attribution model, your pipeline, and your competitive position. This isn’t just about “showing up in AI search.” It’s about making sure your company, your founders, and your thought leaders are the ones being cited when your buyers are doing that invisible dark funnel research. Guest: Jenna Hannon Founder of GetHatter.ai and former first marketing hire at Uber Eats What We Cover SEO Fundamentals (And Why They’re Not Enough Anymore) How SEO has worked for the past 20 yearsThe constant chase of Google’s algorithm changesWhy keyword strategies and backlink volume dominated the gameThe Rise of AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) What AEO actually is and how it differs from SEOWhy 97% of searches still happen on Google—but summaries are changing everythingHow LLMs decide whose content to cite (spoiler: it’s not about hacks)Why AEO actually rewards good marketing better than Google ever didThe Attribution Blind Spot Your buyers are researching for weeks before filling out formsAI-assisted research makes the dark funnel even darkerHow to influence research you can’t see or measureWhy this is a revenue strategy conversation, not just a marketing tacticThe Four Pillars of AEO Strategy Jenna breaks down the four key areas where you can move the needle in AEO—and why most companies are starting from 1% visibility (or 0%). She explains which pillar matters most, where to start if you’re overwhelmed, and why this isn’t about abandoning your SEO investment. The Truth About “AEO Hacks” There is no magic button (Jenna tried to build one—Google shut it down overnight)LinkedIn influencers selling shortcuts? Jenna’s tested them. They don’t work.What actually works instead (and why it’s better than you think)Why You Shouldn’t Be Intimidated The fundamentals haven’t changed—you’re just extending your strategyAEO rewards strong marketing better than Google’s algorithm ever didThis isn’t a complete rework of your marketing prioritiesWhere to focus your energy for maximum impactKey Takeaways SEO isn’t dead—97% of searches still happen on GoogleBut AI summaries are changing how buyers consume informationMost B2B brands show up 1% of the time (or less) in AI search resultsThere are no shortcuts—AEO rewards good marketing fundamentalsConnect with Jenna Hannon Email: jenna@gethatter.aiLinkedIn: Jenna Hannon (book a 15-minute call directly from her profile and ask about her free AI visibility tracker)Company: https://www.gethatter.ai/Please note: The audio quality in the opening minutes of this episode is not up to our usual standard. Rather than delay sharing this important conversation, we chose to release it as-is because the insights are too valuable to wait. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the episode! Connect with Stacie: Book a free growth consult LinkedIn Website
C-Suite Strategies RSS Feed
