AI Search Optimization

AI Search Optimization (AEO / GEO)

Google's AI features (AI Overviews, AI Mode) use the same crawl, index, and core ranking as classic Search, plus grounding (RAG) and query fan-out (the model generates related sub-queries and pulls pages for each). There is no separate AI ranking system. Good classic SEO IS AI visibility. Source: developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/ai-optimization-guide.

Eligibility checklist (same as Search eligibility)

A page can only surface in AI features if it is:

• Indexed — not blocked by noindex, in the index, not a duplicate canonicalized away
• Crawlable — robots.txt allows it; JS unblocked so rendered content is visible
• Publicly accessible — no login/paywall wall on the content that should rank
• Snippet-eligible — no nosnippet / max-snippet:0 / data-nosnippet on the content you want quoted
• Meets Search technical requirements + spam policies (no cloaking, scaled-content abuse)

Note: meeting every requirement does not guarantee crawl, index, or serving.

Content: people-first + unique POV

• Write for humans. Offer a unique point of view, first-hand experience, original data, or expertise the model can't synthesize from everyone else.
• Avoid commodity summaries an LLM could generate itself — those don't earn citation.
• Avoid scaled content abuse (mass keyword/location variations to manipulate).
• No ideal length. Clear headings, sections, short paragraphs. Self-contained answers near the top help, but do not chunk content into tiny fragments.

DEBUNKED — do NOT waste effort on these

Structured data

Not required for AI features, but still recommended — it powers overall SEO and rich-result eligibility. Use valid schema.org JSON-LD: Organization/LocalBusiness, Product, FAQPage, Article, BreadcrumbList. (See seo-technische-seo.)

Multimodal

High-quality, relevant images/video create more opportunities to appear in AI responses. Follow image/video SEO best practices (descriptive alt text, captions, structured data, fast delivery).

Local / ecommerce

• Google Business Profile feeds local info into AI responses (hours, location, reviews).
• Merchant Center product feeds power product details in AI shopping answers.
• Business Agent enables conversational experiences over your data.

Technical / crawlability

Unblock JS, use semantic human-readable HTML (imperfect HTML is fine), reduce duplicate content, fast + mobile page experience, clear separation of main content vs chrome/nav.

Agentic / UCP (emerging)

AI agents read sites via DOM, accessibility tree, and screenshots. Keep markup accessible and agent-friendly. The Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for agentic checkout is emerging — track it for ecommerce clients.

Example — commodity vs unique-POV (the difference that earns a citation)

COMMODITY (won't get cited — LLM already knows this):
  H1: What is SEO?
  "SEO is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher
   in search engines. It includes keywords, backlinks, and
   technical optimization."

UNIQUE POV (citable — first-hand, specific, original):
  H1: SEO results timeline: what 40 Dutch MKB sites taught us
  "Across 40 client sites we launched in 2025, position-1
   rankings took a median of 4.5 months. The fastest (6 weeks)
   all shared one trait: a LocalBusiness schema + 15+ Google
   reviews live at launch. Here is the month-by-month data..."

Quick audit snippet (indexability)

curl -sI https://example.com/page | grep -i 'x-robots-tag'         # nosnippet/noindex?
curl -s https://example.com/page | grep -i '<meta name="robots"'    # page-level robots
curl -s https://example.com/robots.txt | grep -i 'disallow'         # crawl blocks
# Then: Search Console > URL Inspection — confirm "Indexed" + rendered content visible.

Cross-skill references

• seo-technische-seo — crawl/index/schema foundation (prerequisite)
• seo-landing-page-audit — apply this on landing/conversion pages
• coding/seo — umbrella; this is the AI-features layer
• seo-bezoekersmagneet / seo-keyword-strategie — the same signals AI ranking uses