We surveyed over 250 top digital leaders—from CMOs to VPs, and Senior Directors at enterprise companies—on how they’re approaching answer engine optimization (AEO) in 2026. The verdict is nearly unanimous: 97% reported a positive impact from AEO / GEO in 2025, and 94% plan to increase their AEO / GEO investments in 2026. This report details the exact strategies, roles, and technologies they’re prioritizing, from hiring prompt engineers to adopting integrated AEO / GEO platforms. Generative AI and answer engines have redefined digital discoverability, giving users more direct pathways to find brands, compare solutions, and drive purchase decisions.

For enterprise brands that rely on traffic, engagement, and conversions, this shift requires a new approach. That’s where AEO and GEO come in.While the fundamentals of SEO are the same, the definition of digital success has evolved. It’s not about clicks and matching keywords anymore; it’s about establishing brand authority and ensuring your domain is cited and your brand is mentioned in AI search.

This investment is already accelerating fast, with enterprises allocating an average of 12% of their digital budgets to AEO / GEO in 2025. Plus, initial reports indicate that visitors who come from LLMs convert at twice the rate in one-third the number of sessions compared to traditional channels, validating AI visibility as a critical new performance channel.

The message this sends to executives is clear: If you aren’t investing in AEO / GEO now, you’re already behind, and the window for catching up is closing fast. To help you adapt to this opportunity and optimize your investments for 2026 , we surveyed over 250 digital marketing leaders and C-level executives to uncover actionable insights, new measurement standards, and shifting investment and strategic priorities.

Data & methodology

To establish the current state of AEO / GEO and map the definitive trends, disruptions, and strategic priorities for 2026, we surveyed over 250 C-suite leaders, VPs, specialized AEO/GEO/SEO leaders, and senior content directors who directly manage their brand’s AEO/GEO/SEO efforts.

CMOs and digital leaders were exclusively sourced from enterprise-level organizations (500+ employees) across 12+ industries in the U.S.

73% of CMOs and digital leaders classify their AEO / GEO programs as advanced or very advanced , signifying the integration of the new category within their broader digital strategy.

It’s important to note that throughout the report, we speak to the concept of AEO/GEO maturity to further segment the data. Below is a brief overview of the levels CMOs and digital leaders could choose from to determine their AEO/GEO maturity:

• Low AEO/GEO maturity: Organizations that are piloting an AEO/GEO initiative, but have so far made limited investments in their strategy.
• Medium AEO/GEO maturity: Organizations where AEO/GEO is integrated into the broader digital marketing strategy with adequate investment.
• High AEO/GEO maturity: Organizations where AEO/GEO is a core digital priority with enterprise-wide adoption and strong investment.