AEO delivers measurable business results. Case studies show it can drive 10% of organic traffic (Broworks), achieve 11% AI visibility in one month (Profound), and generate high-quality leads, even as AI Overviews cause a ≈15-20% CTR drop on traditional results (Amsive).
Key Citations
Core Stats
"Restructuring content for generative engines drove 10% of our organic traffic... 27% of that became sales qualified leads."
- Broworks
Real-World AEO Case Studies: The Business Impact
The principles of AEO and GEO are not just academic. Agencies are already using them to drive significant business results. Here, we break down key case studies that demonstrate the tangible impact of optimizing for answer engines.
The Opportunity: New Traffic and High-Quality Leads
Case studies from multiple agencies show that AEO is a powerful new customer acquisition channel.
- Broworks successfully attributed 10% of their organic traffic to AI engines after optimizing their content. Crucially, 27% of that traffic converted into sales-qualified leads.
- Profound Strategy demonstrated the speed of AEO, achieving 11% AI visibility for a client in just one month.
- Single Grain has also reported that as much as 32% of their SQLs have come from users interacting with AI engines.
The Threat: CTR Decline from AI Overviews
While AEO opens new doors, the rise of AI in search also presents a threat to traditional organic traffic. A study by Amsive on Google's AI Overviews revealed a significant impact on click-through rates.
| Keyword Type | Average CTR Drop |
|---|---|
| Non-Branded Keywords | -19.98% |
| All Keywords (Average) | -15.49% |
This data underscores the importance of an AEO strategy. As AI Overviews become more common, ranking #1 in the traditional sense will be less valuable. Visibility *within* the AI answer is becoming essential to mitigate traffic loss and capture user attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I see results from AEO?
Results can be rapid. A case study from Profound showed a client achieved 11% AI visibility within just one month of implementing AEO tactics.
How does AI visibility impact traditional SEO metrics like CTR?
It's a double-edged sword. An Amsive study found that when AI Overviews appear, the average CTR for traditional organic results drops by about 15-20%. This makes gaining visibility *within* the AI answer even more critical.
What do these case studies prove?
They prove that AEO is a viable customer acquisition channel that drives high-intent leads, and that it's becoming essential for mitigating traffic loss from AI Overviews.