SEO + GEO + AEO Lesley Delchamps Talks Search vs Answers

In this episode of the Field Notes podcast, host Eric Hultgren sits down with Creative Director Lesley Delchamps to explore how digital marketing is evolving in the age of AI. The conversation focuses on the shifting roles of: SEO (Search Engine Optimization)  the traditional strategy to rank on search engines, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), tailoring content for direct answers in AI tools, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)  preparing content to be pulled into AI-generated responses, like those from ChatGPT. The two dive into ChatGPT Shopping, a new feature that offers personalized product recommendations directly within AI conversations, bypassing Google entirely. For travel marketers, this signals a major change: AI is becoming the starting point for consumer discovery. Lesley and Eric unpack what that means for destination marketing teams and how to stay ahead. The takeaway? Marketers must embrace all three strategies—SEO, AEO, and GEO—to ensure their content is discoverable, AI-friendly, and positioned to influence travel decisions in this new era of search.