Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) on Amazon: Max Sinclair on optimizing for Rufus & COSMO | New Frontier: The AI, ecommerce & entrepreneurship podcast | Podwise
This episode explores Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and its increasing importance for e-commerce businesses, particularly on Amazon, against the backdrop of rapidly evolving AI technologies like Rufus and COSMO. Max Sinclair, CEO of eComtent, defines GEO as the art and science of optimizing for AI models, emphasizing that it requires a different approach than traditional SEO due to the shift towards multimodal AI and token-based language models. More significantly, the discussion highlights how Amazon's AI is moving beyond simple keyword matching to understanding context, intent, and subjective product needs, as evidenced by the five facets outlined in Amazon's science papers: subjective property, event, activity, purpose, and audience. For instance, listings should now focus on providing rich context through both written and visual assets, targeting specific events and audiences to improve ranking in AI-driven searches. As the discussion pivoted to the future, Sinclair predicts a move towards voice search and more language-focused queries, suggesting that sellers should prepare by continuously optimizing their listings with relevant contextual information and seasonal updates. Emerging industry patterns reflected in this conversation point towards a more personalized and AI-enhanced customer journey, where understanding and catering to the nuances of AI search algorithms will be critical for success.