Building a Repeatable System for AEO
Key Concepts
SAGE – The SAGE framework is a four-stage loop for systematic AEO improvement. Not a one-time checklist but a recurring workflow you run to stay oriented as answer engines evolve.
"What time is it?" – The diagnostic question that determines which SAGE stage to focus on. Match your current situation to the stage, then execute.
The four stages and their outputs
Setup: Decide what you're tracking and why
- The output: A baseline you trust
Analyze: Define where you're winning and losing
- The output: A gap analysis you believe you can act on
Generate: Turn gaps into shipped work
- The output: Content that addresses gaps
Engineer: Make what worked repeatable
- The output: A system that compounds
Which Stage am I in?
- "We don't know what to track yet" → Setup time
- "We're not sure what's missing or why we're losing" → Analyze time
- "We know the gap but nothing is shipping" → Generate time
- "It's working but it's manual every time" - Engineer time
Meet your mentor
Josh BlyskalHead of Education