SEO Isn’t Dead. But It’s No Longer Enough.

For years SEO has helped businesses across Cornwall and Devon get found online, levelling the playing field between regional and national brands.

SEO strategy suddenly became more important than having masses of marketing materials, it has been the foundation of digital marketing strategies from hospitality to property and retail. But the search landscape is changing fast and if you are relying solely on SEO to drive visibility and growth you are missing a large part of the picture.

This blog explores how SEO is evolving and why forward-thinking brands must now embrace AEO and GEO to stay visible and competitive.

What Is AEO?

Answer Engine Optimisation or AEO is about structuring your content so that it appears in featured snippets voice search results and "People Also Ask" sections on Google.

Instead of just ranking on page one your content becomes the answer itself. That means more visibility but not necessarily more clicks. Users get the information they need directly in the search results without visiting your site.

To succeed with AEO you need:

• Clear direct answers to specific questions

• Structured content using headers lists and tables

• Schema markup to help search engines understand your page

AEO is ideal for service businesses in Cornwall and Devon looking to answer high-intent questions like "Best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall" or "Top interior designers in Devon."

What Is GEO?

Generative Engine Optimisation or GEO is newer but rapidly growing in importance. It focuses on making your content visible to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini.

These tools do not necessarily link to your content. They summarise it. That means your content needs to be written in a way that AI can understand trust and quote.

To optimise for GEO you should:

• Write with clarity and structure

• Establish topical authority with depth and consistency

• Use named entities and context-rich phrases

• Avoid fluff and focus on substance

With more users turning to generative AI for travel ideas home improvement advice and buying decisions GEO matters deeply for Cornwall and Devon businesses looking to future-proof their online visibility.

SEO vs AEO vs GEO: How They Compare

The truth is this is not about choosing one. It is about integrating all three.

Why a Blended Strategy Matters

If you are still only focusing on traditional SEO you are missing out on huge opportunities.

• SEO gives you depth, authority and sustained traffic

• AEO gives you fast visibility and trusted answers

• GEO gives you presence inside the AI, tools people are already using

This blend is not optional. It is becoming essential for discoverability.

What This Means for Brands in Cornwall and Devon

Whether you are a boutique hotel in St Ives a property developer in Exeter or a high-end retailer in Falmouth your audience is using search engines differently.

They want fast answers not long scrolls. They want trusted insights not clickbait. And increasingly they want those answers delivered through AI.

That means your digital strategy needs to adapt. Now.

How The Ocean Agency Can Help

At The Ocean Agency we specialise in future-ready digital visibility. Our team blends strategy design psychology and data to help brands across Cornwall and Devon stay found and trusted online.

What does the content we create do?

• Ranks on Google

• Appears in snippets and voice search

• Gets summarised by AI tools

How do we do this?

We do this by working with you to understand your business, what you offer and what people need to know. Creating content which fits these strategies to give you the largest possible presence.

If your business is ready for more visibility more enquiries and more certainty about what works we are here to help.

Get in touch to start your SEO, AEO and GEO strategy today.