What it is
An answer engine gives people a single answer rather than ten links to choose from. AEO is the work of making your content the source of that answer. That means writing in clear question-and-answer shapes, leading with the answer, and marking it up so a machine can lift it cleanly.
Why it matters
This is the AI-systems audience in action. When someone asks an AI tool a question in your category, exactly one source usually gets quoted. AEO is how you become that source. Miss it and you are invisible at the moment the buying decision is forming, even if you rank fine in classic search.
What to do
Add question-style headings with short, complete answers underneath. Use FAQ and how-to schema. Keep the answer to a question within the first two sentences of the section so a model can grab it without guessing.