AEO for Hospitality Brands: Why Answer Engine Optimisation Should Be on Your Radar

Intro:
The way people discover restaurants, hotels, and venues is changing. Fast. Instead of typing short keywords into Google, consumers are now asking questions—to search engines, voice assistants, and AI tools.

“Where should I stay in Notting Hill for a weekend getaway?”
“What’s a good rooftop restaurant in Shoreditch open on Sundays?”
“Which hotels in London are dog-friendly?”

This shift from searching with keywords to asking full questions is what Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is all about. And if you're in the hospitality industry, it’s time to start paying attention.

What is AEO?

Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the process of creating and structuring your content in a way that allows search engines and AI tools to easily understand and deliver your business as the direct answer to user questions.

It’s about helping your brand become:

  • The featured snippet on Google

  • The answer in a “People Also Ask” box

  • The recommendation from ChatGPT or Perplexity

  • The trusted voice in voice search

In other words: AEO makes your business the answer, not just a search result.

Why AEO Matters for Restaurants, Hotels & Hospitality Brands

💡 1. Search is Getting Smarter

Search engines now use natural language processing (NLP) to understand intent. That means users don’t just search for “best hotel Shoreditch”—they ask full, conversational questions.

If your content answers those questions clearly and directly, you’re more likely to be surfaced as the result.

🧭 2. Zero-Click Search is on the Rise

Google is increasingly providing answers within the search results page, meaning users don’t always click through to websites.

By optimising for AEO, your brand can own that top answer box—and win traffic, trust, and bookings before anyone else even gets a look in.

🗣️ 3. Voice Search is All About Answers

“Hey Siri, find me a romantic restaurant in Mayfair.”
“Alexa, what time does The Smith Hotel check in start?”

If your content is structured for AEO, voice assistants are far more likely to read out your venue’s name as the best match.

How to Optimise for AEO as a Hospitality Brand

✅ 1. Create a Robust FAQ Page

This is low-hanging fruit for AEO. Answer common questions clearly and concisely:

  • What time is check-in and check-out?

  • Is the restaurant kid-friendly?

  • Do you cater for gluten-free diets?

  • Is there parking at the hotel?

Each question should be a standalone heading (H2 or H3) with a short, direct answer underneath.

✅ 2. Use Natural Language

AI and search engines now understand full sentences. So write like a human, not a robot:

❌ “Hotel Shoreditch check-in time.”
✅ “Check-in at our Shoreditch hotel begins at 3pm.”

✅ 3. Optimise for Featured Snippets

Structure content to summarise the answer in the first sentence, followed by supporting detail. Use:

  • Bullet points

  • Numbered lists

  • Definitions

  • Tables

These formats are perfect for Google snippets and “People Also Ask” results.

✅ 4. Build Answer-Focused Content

Create blog posts and landing pages that tackle specific user questions:

  • “The 5 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in London”

  • “Is [Your Restaurant] Good for Groups?”

  • “Where to Eat Near Victoria Station: Local Recommendations”

These posts help search engines—and generative tools—understand when to recommend your brand.

✅ 5. Add Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Use schema for:

  • Hotels

  • Restaurants

  • Menus

  • FAQs
    This helps answer engines pull verified information straight from your site with confidence.

AEO vs Traditional SEO: What's the Difference?

FeatureSEOAEOFocusKeywordsQuestionsGoalRank for termsBe the top answerFormatLong-form content, backlinksStructured, concise contentChannelSearch enginesSearch + voice + AI assistants

Both matter—but AEO is how you win in a “just give me the answer” world.

Snack London Can Help You Get AEO-Ready

At Snack London, we work exclusively with hospitality brands to future-proof their digital presence. That means not just optimising for traffic—but optimising for answers, visibility, and trust in a changing search landscape.

Whether you're running a buzzing neighbourhood restaurant, a luxury hotel, or a multi-site hospitality group, we can help you:

  • Identify the questions your guests are asking

  • Create content that gets featured in search and AI results

  • Optimise your entire digital footprint for visibility in answer engines

Want to be the go-to answer in your city?
Let’s talk AEO.
Get in touch with Snack London and let’s optimise your hospitality brand for today’s search reality.

Mark McManus