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AEO Canon · the reference for answer-engine optimization
AEOCanon

Lesson 3 of 6

The AEO Canon Framework

The AEO Canon organizes everything that drives AI citation into eight pillars across three layers. This lesson gives you the map and how to use it as a diagnostic.

Learning objectives

  • ▸Name the three layers of the Canon and what each asks.
  • ▸List the eight pillars in order.
  • ▸Use the Canon as a cascade to find your first broken gate.

The lesson

Read the full lesson →The AEO Canon: The Eight Pillars of Answer Engine OptimizationThe AEO Canon is an eight-pillar framework in three layers — Foundation, Reputation, Momentum — for making your content the source AI answer engines read, trust, and cite.11 min read

Key takeaways

  • ▸Three layers: Foundation (usable), Reputation (trusted), Momentum (kept).
  • ▸Eight pillars: Access, Alignment, Extractability, Authority, Credibility, Originality, Freshness, Adaptability.
  • ▸It's a cascade — fix the highest broken pillar first.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check

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  1. 1. What are the Canon's three layers?

  2. 2. Why is the Canon called a cascade, not a checklist?

  3. 3. Which pillar is the binary gate you must pass first?