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AEO Canon · the reference for answer-engine optimization
AEOCanon

Lesson 6 of 6

What This Means for Marketers

Base models are frozen and can't cite you; search-augmented models retrieve live sources and can. This lesson turns the mechanics into your AEO strategy.

Learning objectives

  • ▸Distinguish base from search-augmented models.
  • ▸Explain why only the retrieval layer can cite you.
  • ▸Connect LLM mechanics to concrete AEO actions.

The lesson

Read the full lesson →Base vs. Search-Augmented AI Models: What's the Difference?A base model answers only from its frozen training; a search-augmented model retrieves live sources at query time and can cite them. The difference decides whether AI answers are current, verifiable — and whether they can cite you.2 min read

Key takeaways

  • ▸A base model answers from frozen training; a search-augmented model retrieves live sources and cites them.
  • ▸Your opportunity is the retrieval layer — you can't reliably influence frozen weights.
  • ▸Be reachable, current, answer-first, and authoritative so the retrieval step surfaces and cites you.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check

0 / 3

  1. 1. Which type of system can cite your content?

  2. 2. Why can't you 'optimize into' a base model's training?

  3. 3. What's the practical takeaway for marketers?