Definition
A synthesized answer is the final paragraph an AI engine generates by combining facts, claims, and citations from retrieved sources. Unlike a SERP listing (which is just a link), the synthesized answer is generated text with embedded citations. Your goal in AEO: have your page contribute to (be cited within) the synthesized answer for target queries.
User asks 'what is AEO?'. Perplexity retrieves 5 pages, writes a 4-sentence answer citing [1][2][3][4][5] from those pages. If your page is [3], you got cited.
How to optimize
Optimize for being one of the 3–5 cited sources. Direct, factual, sourced content with clear authority signals. Don't try to game the synthesis itself. Focus on retrieval.