From SEO to AEO: Why I Believe AI is Reshaping the Future of Product Content

Author: Huina Mao, Founder of Trendee

As an entrepreneur who has long researched the integration of AI and social platforms, I have witnessed firsthand the dramatic shifts in search engine traffic and consumer behavior. From predicting market trends through social sentiment over a decade ago to building Trendee today, I have always focused on one critical question: In an era where consumer expression is fully AI-driven, how can brands truly be "seen"?

In 2025, we are at a profound structural turning point: traditional SEO dividends are fading, while AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is emerging as the new gateway to traffic.

The Era of Keyword Thinking is Over—Semantic Search Takes Over

In the past, SEO revolved around keyword placement, page structure, and backlinks. But now, users no longer search in "machine language." They use natural language and everyday questions.

"What are some recommendations for a black dress suitable for a July wedding?"

These are no longer searches—they are conversations. AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity are training themselves to understand the true consumer intent behind these complex semantics.

Forbes noted in 2025 that after the launch of AI Overview features, organic traffic across industries dropped by 15–64%. This means the traditional logic of keyword rankings can no longer sustain content visibility.

AEO: Become AI’s Answer, Not Just a Search Link

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is not a new concept, but it has never been more critical than it is today.

In April, ChatGPT introduced a shopping feature, allowing users to complete "search-comparison-decision-redirect" directly within a conversation. Perplexity also launched "Buy with Pro" late last year, enabling seamless transitions from content understanding to product purchase.

Wired reported that ChatGPT now handles over 1 billion conversations weekly, while Perplexity processes 780 million queries monthly, with a growth rate exceeding 20% per month (Wikipedia).

Brands still clinging to the "keyword world" of traditional SEO will miss their place in the AI recommendation chain. The question is no longer "Did you create content?" but "Can AI understand the content you created?"

Trendee’s Mission: Not More Content, but More Precise Content

Trendee was founded to help product content adapt to AI’s understanding, ensuring brands become the "chosen answer."

We built an AI intermediary system that starts with consumer language, deconstructs demographics, scenarios, and real intent, and then reverse-engineers "AI-understandable product language."

• Extract scenarios, contexts, and expression styles from trending queries

• Reconstruct product titles and descriptions using an intent-tagging system

• Enhance product recommendation weight in AI searches with trend and GEO technology

In short: We don’t aim to place products on search pages—we aim to place them in the answers to users’ questions.

Why AEO is Non-Negotiable Now

Many brand operators I speak with feel their organic traffic plummeting but don’t understand why. Gartner predicts that by 2028, brands’ organic traffic may drop by 50%. New traffic is rapidly being absorbed by AI search engines.

Trendee’s AEO framework centers on three keywords: understanding, structuring, and contextual adaptation. In the face of AI recommendation algorithms, only content with "answer attributes" gets selected.

My Advice for Brands

• Stop stuffing keywords—focus on answering user questions

• Structure content for AI comprehension

• Ensure descriptions are situational, audience-aware, and semantically clear

• Stay updated with platform trends and evolving AI search standards

Final Thoughts: The New Mission of Content Optimization in the AI Era

This revolution in search logic isn’t just a shift in marketing tools—it’s a transformation in cognitive approaches.

I created Trendee not because AEO sounds "trendy," but because I see too many brands losing their voice in the vanishing search landscape. We want to help these brands speak in a way AI search understands.

AI is not the end—it’s the new gateway. Those who adapt first will hold the key to the next wave of traffic.