How to Start AEO?
Welcome to your fast-track guide to starting AI Engine Optimization (AEO). In an age when millions of customers rely on AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Amazon Rufus for recommendations, maximizing your brand’s AI visibility is essential for growth.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Understand what prompts real users ask AI—and why certain brands win
- Monitor and measure your brand’s performance across major AI platforms
- Automate content creation that AI prefers and recommends
- Analyze brand preference and close content gaps for maximum visibility
AEO unlocks a powerful, new growth channel—helping you capture customers where decisions happen: in AI answers. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this guide gives you a clear, practical path to measurable results.
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
Prerequisites
Before starting with the AEO (AI Engine Optimization) workflow on the Frevana platform, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Create a Frevana Account
- Visit the Frevana website and locate the “Sign Up” button, typically found in the top-right corner.
- Fill in your name, email address, and create a secure password.
- Confirm your email address by clicking the verification link sent to your inbox.
- Choose the Right Subscription Plan
- Review the available pricing plans: Starter, Professional, or Enterprise.
- Select a plan that best matches your needs. All plans offer a 7-day free trial and do not require a credit card for sign-up.
- Prepare Organizational or Brand Information
- Have basic details ready, such as your company name, website URL, target products, and relevant keywords.
- Obtain Necessary Permissions
- Ensure you have administrator access or the ability to connect required services if collaborating with a team.
💡 Tip: It’s recommended to gather a list of products or services and any current content assets you want to monitor or optimize.
⚠️ Warning: Skipping account verification steps or providing incomplete organizational information will delay your AEO setup process.
Step 1: Accessing the AEO Platform
- Go to the Frevana Home Page
- Enter the Frevana URL in your browser’s address bar and load the website.
- Log In to Your Account
- Click the “Log In” button in the upper-right corner.
- Enter your registered email and password.
- Complete any two-factor authentication if enabled.
- Navigate to the Dashboard
- Once logged in, you’ll be directed to your user dashboard.
- Here, you’ll find a navigation menu on the left side with options for Dashboard, Workflows, Monitoring, Content Creation, and Reports.
💡 Tip: Bookmark the dashboard for quick access during daily monitoring.
Step 2: Initial Setup and Configuration
- Begin Initial Organization Setup
- In the dashboard, find and select “Organization Settings” from the sidebar.
- Input Organization or Project Details
- Enter your organization name, website domain, and a brief description of your brand or project focus.
- Connect Products for Tracking
- Click “Add Product” and input product names, website URLs, and any SKUs or identifiers used within your business.
- Specify Target AI Platforms
- Select which AI platforms you want to monitor for visibility (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini).
- Tick checkboxes corresponding to each relevant platform.
- Set Workflow Preferences
- Choose notification preferences, such as email alerts for visibility changes or workflow completions.
- Configure collaboration settings if inviting teammates.
- Save Configuration
- Click the “Save” button at the bottom right of the page to apply all changes.
💡 Tip: For best results, provide as much detail as possible for each product and select all AI platforms relevant to your target audience.
⚠️ Warning: Any unsaved information will be lost if you navigate away from the settings page before saving.
Step 3: Launching the First Workflow
Start a New Workflow
- Access Workflows
- On the left menu, select “Workflows.” You’ll see a section labeled “Start New Workflow.”
- Choose a Workflow Template
- Select from available templates, such as:
- User Prompt Research
- AI Visibility Monitoring
- Auto Content Creation
- Click on a template to view its description and suitability.
- Select from available templates, such as:
- Configure Workflow Parameters
- Define target products, keywords, or prompts relevant to your brand.
- Assign platforms for analysis and reporting.
- Select AEO Agents
- Add AI-powered agents to your workflow, such as:
- User Prompt Researcher
- Content Advisor
- Data Scientist
- Article Writer
- Mark agent roles according to your campaign goals.
Example Workflow Agent Selection: [✔️] User Prompt Researcher [✔️] AI Visibility Monitoring [✔️] Content Advisor [ ] PR Strategist [✔️] Article Writer - Add AI-powered agents to your workflow, such as:
- Schedule and Launch
- Pick a start date or launch the workflow immediately by clicking the “Launch” button.
- Confirm your choices in the summary dialog and finalize workflow creation.
- Monitor Progress
- The dashboard will display live status indicators and progress bars for active workflows.
💡 Tip: Use the workflow summary to double-check all parameters before launching, ensuring comprehensive coverage of your products and prompts.
⚠️ Warning: Adjusting agent selections or workflow parameters after launch may reset existing progress.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Login or Access Problems
- Ensure your internet connection is stable.
- Double-check your email and password for typos.
- Use the “Forgot Password?” link if needed.
💡 Tip: For persistent access issues, try clearing your browser cache or using a private browsing window.
Missing Organization/Product Information
- Navigate to “Organization Settings.”
- Verify that all required fields (name, website, product details) are filled in.
- Save changes after making updates.
⚠️ Warning: Incomplete information can prevent workflow initiation.
Workflow Not Starting or Stuck
- Ensure all required agents are selected within your workflow.
- Check for any input errors highlighted in red within the workflow setup screen.
- Refresh your dashboard to check for progress updates.
- Contact Frevana support via the chat icon at the bottom-right if the issue persists.
No Visibility Data Appearing
- Confirm that your target platforms are correctly selected in settings.
- Allow up to 2–4 weeks for initial data collection and reporting.
- Check the notification settings to ensure you are receiving progress alerts.
💡 Tip: The Frevana team can provide a personalized diagnostic if you encounter persistent data issues.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Now that you’ve successfully started with AEO on Frevana, you can:
- Monitor real-time AI visibility across platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.
- Use prompt research and workflow analytics to spot new ranking opportunities.
- Launch automated content and PR workflows to consistently improve your brand’s presence in AI-generated answers.
Explore Advanced Features
- Experiment with custom workflows and multi-product tracking in the Professional plan.
- Utilize the Sitemap/robots.txt Auditor to increase your website’s AI readability.
- Enable advanced reporting to compare your AI visibility against top competitors.
- Configure integrations with marketing and analytics tools for deeper insights.
Get More Help
- Access the in-app help center via the sidebar.
- Chat with Frevana support using the live chat icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Schedule a personalized demo for in-depth onboarding.
💡 Tip: Revisit your workflows monthly to adapt to changes in AI query trends and stay ahead of your competition.
Conclusion
Starting with AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) can open new opportunities for your business by streamlining procedures and building trust with customs authorities. In this guide, we’ve walked you through the basics of AEO, outlined the eligibility criteria, and provided step-by-step instructions to begin your application.
Next Steps
- Review your current compliance: Conduct an internal audit to ensure your business meets all security and legal requirements.
- Gather documentation: Organize all necessary records before starting your application.
- Contact your local customs authority: Seek guidance and clarification about the specific process in your region.
- Begin the application: Take the plunge and start the AEO application process, using this guide as your reference.
Related Resources
- Step-by-Step Customs Compliance Checklist
- Best Practices for Maintaining AEO Status
- Official AEO Guidelines from the World Customs Organization
Troubleshooting
- Application Delayed?
Double-check that all required documents were submitted and follow up regularly with customs authorities. - Unclear Requirements?
Review the official documentation or contact your national AEO helpdesk for clarification. - Documentation Gaps?
If some documents are missing, work on updating or retrieving the necessary records before resubmitting. - Problems with IT Systems?
Ensure all digital records are up to date, and seek IT support if you encounter system errors during the application.
Remember, becoming an Authorized Economic Operator is a commitment to higher standards and smoother trade operations. Stay patient, persistent, and proactive—you’re on the right track!
*Guide Type: How-to Guide | Target Audience: All Levels*
