Search has changed.
How your “searchers” find you is fundamentally different than in the recent past.
It’s not the same as it once was.
And, it is going to continue to change and so must your strategy.
Traditional SEO still matters – things like technical health, on-page optimization, backlinks are all really important.
But, how your brand shows up in AEO (Answer Engine Optimization – answer engines that give your searchers answers) will determine whether buyers discover you when they ask questions, not just when they type queries.
You MUST rank using search tools like ChatGPT, Atlas, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity.
AEO’s Four (4) Main Directories You Must Be On
For MSPs, SaaS, B2B tech the winning approach is SEO + AEO. This is a process of keyword research and a unified system that helps you rank in Google and surface as a credible answer inside conversational tools.
Below is the SGS blueprint to get found on the four (4) main answer (AI) directories where your searchers are searching for you and your services.
It’s a proven strategy to measure and build your search strategy along with step-by-step actions to strengthen your presence across the four highest-leverage directories that answer engines consult: Clutch, UpCity, Crunchbase, and G2.
Part 1: What “Good” Looks Like Now
Classic SEO
The web still uses Classic SEO to find your company website. It’s still essential; it’s just changed. These core attributes of Classic SEO remain relevant:
-
- Technical health: Clean site architecture, title tags, page titles, fast load times, Core Web Vitals, crawlability, structured data all still tell the search engines whether your site is “good enough” to rank for certain keywords.
- Content depth: Clear headings, topical coverage, internal linking, accessible media (alt text, transcripts) are all still relevant.
- Authority signals: Quality links, citations, brand mentions and things like Domain authority still matter.
AEO (the missing layer)
Answer engines assemble responses by triangulating trusted sources, structured facts, third-party proof, and fresh content.
Your job is to make facts easy to verify, publish answer-ready assets, strengthen third-party proof, and ensure consistent data across all platforms.
Keyword Research (for SEO & AEO)
Modern research blends demand mapping, exploratory and transactional intent, entity coverage, and cluster planning around your core offers. You still need to create keywords based on what you’re searchers are searching for, not what you think.
Review certain keywords and the volume values of said keywords and phrases, then add these to a spreadsheet for safe documentation. Remember: think like your audience, and craft a keyword strategy in AEO that does the same.
Part 2: Your AEO “Trust Stack”
The fastest way to increase your odds of being cited by answer engines is to align your website with third-party directories that these models already trust.
For B2B services and software, that means building strong, accurate, review-rich profiles on four main platforms.
Those four are: Clutch, UpCity, Crunchbase, and G2. Here’s what you need for each of these AEO engines, along with step-by-step instructions to guide you.
Clutch (Step-by-Step)
1. Go to clutch.co/get-listed.
2. Sign in with LinkedIn, Google, or company email.
3. Complete your company profile: services, industries, locations, portfolio, and contact info.
4. Collect client reviews (Clutch facilitates phone or online reviews).
Tips: Use consistent company name, add case studies, and consider verification for higher visibility.
UpCity (Step-by-Step)
1. Go to upcity.com/providers and claim your profile.
2. Fill in services, portfolio, industries, and social links.
3. Request verified reviews and respond professionally.
Tips: Maintain consistency with Clutch; connect your Google Business Profile for verification.
Crunchbase (Step-by-Step)
1. Sign up at crunchbase.com and create a company profile.
2. Add company description, leadership, website, and social links.
3. Keep categories and data current.
Tips: Match descriptions to your site, add leadership bios, and use accurate categories.
G2 (Step-by-Step)
1. Submit a request to create your profile on G2.
2. Complete product or service information, upload logos, and add screenshots or demos.
3. Gather verified customer reviews.
Tips: Keep categories accurate and use visuals to increase engagement.
Part 3: SEO + AEO Execution Plan
Now that we’ve established the strategy and completed getting the foundational directories created and optimized, it’s time to put the plan into action.
This phase bridges insight with implementation – optimizing your web presence for traditional search engines and AEO/answer engines. From on-page SEO and technical structure to directory submissions and AEO visibility, this is where visibility turns into measurable growth.
1. Run baseline SEO analysis.
2. Build AEO-ready content (FAQ pages, how-to guides, structured data).
3. Align entities and structured data with schema.
4. Operationalize reviews across Clutch, UpCity, and G2.
5. Use keyword clusters tied to your offers.
6. Measure with an EOS scorecard: organic metrics, engagement, AEO signals, and pipeline performance.
Part 4: Submission Checklists
Follow a checklist of items for Clutch, UpCity, Crunchbase, and G2 covering profile creation, reviews, NAP consistency, and verification. Some of these directories take a few days to get approved, so be patient.
Part 5: Content & Distribution
Create content once, for each of these platforms, then repurpose everywhere, turning each core topic into blogs, webinars, FAQs, and social snippets.
Publish this directory content on your website and link through your directory profiles. This content should start on the AEO directories listed above, then repurpose to your site, social media accounts, etc.
Part 6: Governance – So It Sticks
Once you have your keywords researched and documented, and you’re on the applicable directories, the next step is to maintain it all.
Assign ownership, perform quarterly audits of profiles, track review cadence, and maintain consistent brand details across directories. Measure traffic values, website sessions, and other KPIs tied to SEO/AEO outcomes.
Bonus Tip: Do not pay an SEO firm to “drive traffic” to your website.
Most paid “traffic” schemes use bots, click farms, or low-quality content and links that hurt your long-term SEO credibility. Focus instead on organic growth, high-value content, and technical site optimization – they pay off sustainably.
Final Word
SEO isn’t dead – it’s evolving and changing.
The Saas, IT, and tech firms winning at SEO/AEO are the ones who combine strong technical SEO with AEO signals: consistent facts, credible third-party profiles, verified reviews, and answer-ready content.
Scott Growth Strategies can help you implement SEO + AEO strategy – from keyword research to directory submissions, review generation, and tracking.
To talk with us about this and to get PROPERLY listed, click here to schedule a time with me.