AEO/GEO Optimizer
Optimize content and websites for AI-powered search experiences — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI Overviews, and Bing Copilot.
Install
git clone https://github.com/thatrebeccarae/claude-marketing.git && cp -r claude-marketing/skills/aeo-geo-optimizer ~/.claude/skills/
Why This Matters
Traditional SEO optimizes for 10 blue links. AEO/GEO optimizes for AI-generated answers. When someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity a question, the answer synthesizes from sources — and those sources get cited, linked, and trusted. If your content is not structured for AI consumption, you are invisible in the fastest-growing search channel.
Core Concepts
AEO vs GEO vs Traditional SEO
| Dimension |
Traditional SEO |
AEO (Answer Engine) |
GEO (Generative Engine) |
| Target |
Google/Bing SERPs |
Featured snippets, AI Overviews, voice assistants |
ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude citations |
| Goal |
Rank on page 1 |
Be THE answer |
Be cited in AI-generated responses |
| Content format |
Long-form, keyword-rich |
Concise, structured Q&A |
Authoritative, quotable, fact-dense |
| Signals |
Backlinks, keywords, UX |
Schema markup, direct answers, authority |
E-E-A-T, data density, citation-worthiness |
| Measurement |
Rankings, traffic |
Answer box appearance, voice search hits |
AI citation tracking, brand mentions in AI |
The Citation Hierarchy
AI models prioritize sources based on:
- Authority signals — Domain authority, author expertise, institutional backing
- Content structure — Clear headings, direct answers, structured data
- Freshness — Recent publication dates, updated statistics
- Specificity — Exact numbers, named sources, verifiable claims
- Uniqueness — Original research, proprietary data, novel frameworks
AEO/GEO Audit Workflow
Step 1: Assess Current AI Visibility
Test AI citation presence: Query ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews with questions your content should answer. Document which queries cite your content vs competitors.
Check structured data: Validate schema markup coverage using Google Rich Results Test or Schema.org validator.
Evaluate content structure: Score each page on AEO readiness using the Content Scorecard below.
Step 2: Content Scorecard
Rate each piece of content (1-5) on these dimensions:
| Dimension |
Score 1 (Poor) |
Score 5 (Excellent) |
| Direct answers |
Buried in paragraphs |
Clear Q&A format, first-sentence answers |
| Data density |
Opinions without evidence |
Specific numbers, percentages, dates |
| Source attribution |
No citations |
Named sources, linked studies |
| Structure |
Wall of text |
H2/H3 hierarchy, lists, tables |
| Schema markup |
None |
Article, FAQ, HowTo, or relevant type |
| Freshness signals |
No dates |
Published date, "Updated" date, recent data |
| Author authority |
No byline |
Named author with expertise credentials |
| Quotability |
Meandering prose |
Crisp, self-contained statements AI can extract |
Scoring: 32-40 = AI-ready. 24-31 = Needs optimization. Below 24 = Major rework needed.
Step 3: Optimize for AI Citation
Content Structure Patterns
The Direct Answer Pattern:
## [Question as H2]
[One-sentence direct answer.] [Supporting context in 2-3 sentences.]
**Key details:**
- [Specific data point]
- [Specific data point]
- [Source attribution]
The Definition Pattern:
## What Is [Term]?
[Term] is [clear, concise definition in one sentence]. [Elaboration with context.] [How it differs from related concepts.]
The Comparison Pattern:
## [X] vs [Y]: Key Differences
| Dimension | [X] | [Y] |
|-----------|-----|-----|
| [Aspect 1] | [Specific detail] | [Specific detail] |
| [Aspect 2] | [Specific detail] | [Specific detail] |
**Bottom line:** [One-sentence recommendation with reasoning.]
The Statistics Pattern:
## [Topic] Statistics ([Year])
- **[Stat 1]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])
- **[Stat 2]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])
- **[Stat 3]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])
*Sources: [List with links]*
Writing for AI Extraction
- Lead with the answer. AI models extract the first sentence after a heading. Make it count.
- Use specific numbers. "Revenue increased 47% year-over-year" beats "revenue increased significantly."
- Name your sources. "According to a 2026 McKinsey report" is citable; unsourced claims are not.
- Create self-contained paragraphs. Each paragraph should make sense extracted in isolation.
- Use comparison tables. AI models love structured comparisons — they are easy to synthesize.
- Include "What is" and "How to" headings. These directly match common AI queries.
- Add freshness signals. Include publication date, last-updated date, and date-stamp your statistics.
- Write quotable sentences. Crisp, declarative statements that AI can extract verbatim.
Technical Optimization
- Schema markup — See the schema-markup-generator skill for implementation
- Canonical URLs — Ensure AI models find the authoritative version
- XML sitemap — Keep it current so AI crawlers find new content
- Page speed — AI crawlers respect crawl budgets; fast sites get crawled more
- robots.txt — Ensure AI crawlers (GPTBot, anthropic-ai, PerplexityBot) are not blocked
Step 4: Monitor AI Visibility
AI Crawler User Agents
| Crawler |
User Agent |
Purpose |
| OpenAI |
GPTBot |
ChatGPT training and browsing |
| Anthropic |
anthropic-ai, ClaudeBot |
Claude training and citations |
| Perplexity |
PerplexityBot |
Perplexity search citations |
| Google |
Google-Extended |
Gemini/AI Overview training |
| Microsoft |
Bingbot (+ AI signals) |
Bing Copilot citations |
| Meta |
Meta-ExternalAgent |
Meta AI features |
| Apple |
Applebot-Extended |
Apple Intelligence |
robots.txt Recommendations
# Allow AI crawlers for maximum AI search visibility
User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /
User-agent: anthropic-ai
Allow: /
User-agent: ClaudeBot
Allow: /
User-agent: PerplexityBot
Allow: /
User-agent: Google-Extended
Allow: /
Decision framework: If your goal is AI visibility (AEO/GEO), allow all AI crawlers. If you have licensing concerns about training data, selectively block training-only crawlers while allowing search/citation crawlers.
Measurement Approaches
| Method |
What It Tracks |
Tools |
| Manual citation checks |
Query AI platforms, document citations |
ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google |
| Server log analysis |
AI crawler frequency and pages crawled |
Log analyzers, custom scripts |
| Brand mention monitoring |
Your brand/content mentioned in AI answers |
Manual checks, brand monitoring tools |
| Referral traffic |
Traffic from AI platforms |
GA4 (check referral sources for chat.openai.com, perplexity.ai) |
| Schema validation |
Structured data coverage and errors |
Google Search Console, Rich Results Test |
Content Types and AI Optimization
Blog Posts / Articles
- Add FAQ schema for common questions
- Structure with clear H2 question headings
- Include "Key Takeaways" or "TL;DR" section
- Date-stamp all statistics
Product / Service Pages
- Add Product or Service schema
- Include comparison tables vs alternatives
- Answer "What is [product]?" in first paragraph
- List specific features with quantified benefits
Documentation / How-To Content
- Add HowTo schema with explicit steps
- Number every step
- Include time estimates and difficulty level
- Add "Prerequisites" and "Common Mistakes" sections
Research / Data Content
- Add Dataset schema where applicable
- Lead with key findings before methodology
- Create a "Key Statistics" summary section
- Cite sample sizes, date ranges, and confidence levels
Anti-Patterns (Never Do)
- Do not block AI crawlers if your goal is AI visibility
- Do not write "click here" or "read more below" — AI extracts content out of context
- Do not bury answers in long introductions — lead with the answer
- Do not use vague qualifiers — "many," "significant," "some" — use specific numbers
- Do not neglect author bylines — E-E-A-T signals matter to AI models
- Do not duplicate content across pages — AI models deduplicate and may ignore both
- Do not over-optimize for one AI platform — optimize for all of them
- Do not forget internal linking — AI crawlers follow links to build topical authority maps
Integration with Other Skills
- technical-seo-audit — Run technical audit first, then layer AEO/GEO optimization
- schema-markup-generator — Generate the structured data this skill recommends
- seo-content-writer — Apply AEO writing patterns during content creation
- content-creator — Use brand voice analysis to maintain voice while optimizing for AI
1---2name: aeo-geo-optimizer3description: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) specialist. Optimize content and websites to appear in AI-generated answers from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI Overviews, and other LLM-powered search experiences. Use when the user asks about AI search optimization, AEO, GEO, AI Overviews, appearing in AI answers, LLM citations, or optimizing for generative search.4license: MIT5---67# AEO/GEO Optimizer89Optimize content and websites for AI-powered search experiences — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI Overviews, and Bing Copilot.1011## Install1213```bash14git clone https://github.com/thatrebeccarae/claude-marketing.git && cp -r claude-marketing/skills/aeo-geo-optimizer ~/.claude/skills/15```1617## Why This Matters1819Traditional SEO optimizes for 10 blue links. AEO/GEO optimizes for AI-generated answers. When someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity a question, the answer synthesizes from sources — and those sources get cited, linked, and trusted. If your content is not structured for AI consumption, you are invisible in the fastest-growing search channel.2021## Core Concepts2223### AEO vs GEO vs Traditional SEO2425| Dimension | Traditional SEO | AEO (Answer Engine) | GEO (Generative Engine) |26|-----------|----------------|---------------------|------------------------|27| **Target** | Google/Bing SERPs | Featured snippets, AI Overviews, voice assistants | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude citations |28| **Goal** | Rank on page 1 | Be THE answer | Be cited in AI-generated responses |29| **Content format** | Long-form, keyword-rich | Concise, structured Q&A | Authoritative, quotable, fact-dense |30| **Signals** | Backlinks, keywords, UX | Schema markup, direct answers, authority | E-E-A-T, data density, citation-worthiness |31| **Measurement** | Rankings, traffic | Answer box appearance, voice search hits | AI citation tracking, brand mentions in AI |3233### The Citation Hierarchy3435AI models prioritize sources based on:36371. **Authority signals** — Domain authority, author expertise, institutional backing382. **Content structure** — Clear headings, direct answers, structured data393. **Freshness** — Recent publication dates, updated statistics404. **Specificity** — Exact numbers, named sources, verifiable claims415. **Uniqueness** — Original research, proprietary data, novel frameworks4243## AEO/GEO Audit Workflow4445### Step 1: Assess Current AI Visibility46471. **Test AI citation presence**: Query ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews with questions your content should answer. Document which queries cite your content vs competitors.48492. **Check structured data**: Validate schema markup coverage using Google Rich Results Test or Schema.org validator.50513. **Evaluate content structure**: Score each page on AEO readiness using the Content Scorecard below.5253### Step 2: Content Scorecard5455Rate each piece of content (1-5) on these dimensions:5657| Dimension | Score 1 (Poor) | Score 5 (Excellent) |58|-----------|---------------|-------------------|59| **Direct answers** | Buried in paragraphs | Clear Q&A format, first-sentence answers |60| **Data density** | Opinions without evidence | Specific numbers, percentages, dates |61| **Source attribution** | No citations | Named sources, linked studies |62| **Structure** | Wall of text | H2/H3 hierarchy, lists, tables |63| **Schema markup** | None | Article, FAQ, HowTo, or relevant type |64| **Freshness signals** | No dates | Published date, "Updated" date, recent data |65| **Author authority** | No byline | Named author with expertise credentials |66| **Quotability** | Meandering prose | Crisp, self-contained statements AI can extract |6768**Scoring**: 32-40 = AI-ready. 24-31 = Needs optimization. Below 24 = Major rework needed.6970### Step 3: Optimize for AI Citation7172#### Content Structure Patterns7374**The Direct Answer Pattern:**75```76## [Question as H2]7778[One-sentence direct answer.] [Supporting context in 2-3 sentences.]7980**Key details:**81- [Specific data point]82- [Specific data point]83- [Source attribution]84```8586**The Definition Pattern:**87```88## What Is [Term]?8990[Term] is [clear, concise definition in one sentence]. [Elaboration with context.] [How it differs from related concepts.]91```9293**The Comparison Pattern:**94```95## [X] vs [Y]: Key Differences9697| Dimension | [X] | [Y] |98|-----------|-----|-----|99| [Aspect 1] | [Specific detail] | [Specific detail] |100| [Aspect 2] | [Specific detail] | [Specific detail] |101102**Bottom line:** [One-sentence recommendation with reasoning.]103```104105**The Statistics Pattern:**106```107## [Topic] Statistics ([Year])108109- **[Stat 1]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])110- **[Stat 2]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])111- **[Stat 3]**: [Number] ([Source, Year])112113*Sources: [List with links]*114```115116#### Writing for AI Extraction1171181. **Lead with the answer.** AI models extract the first sentence after a heading. Make it count.1192. **Use specific numbers.** "Revenue increased 47% year-over-year" beats "revenue increased significantly."1203. **Name your sources.** "According to a 2026 McKinsey report" is citable; unsourced claims are not.1214. **Create self-contained paragraphs.** Each paragraph should make sense extracted in isolation.1225. **Use comparison tables.** AI models love structured comparisons — they are easy to synthesize.1236. **Include "What is" and "How to" headings.** These directly match common AI queries.1247. **Add freshness signals.** Include publication date, last-updated date, and date-stamp your statistics.1258. **Write quotable sentences.** Crisp, declarative statements that AI can extract verbatim.126127#### Technical Optimization1281291. **Schema markup** — See the schema-markup-generator skill for implementation1302. **Canonical URLs** — Ensure AI models find the authoritative version1313. **XML sitemap** — Keep it current so AI crawlers find new content1324. **Page speed** — AI crawlers respect crawl budgets; fast sites get crawled more1335. **robots.txt** — Ensure AI crawlers (GPTBot, anthropic-ai, PerplexityBot) are not blocked134135### Step 4: Monitor AI Visibility136137#### AI Crawler User Agents138139| Crawler | User Agent | Purpose |140|---------|-----------|---------|141| OpenAI | GPTBot | ChatGPT training and browsing |142| Anthropic | anthropic-ai, ClaudeBot | Claude training and citations |143| Perplexity | PerplexityBot | Perplexity search citations |144| Google | Google-Extended | Gemini/AI Overview training |145| Microsoft | Bingbot (+ AI signals) | Bing Copilot citations |146| Meta | Meta-ExternalAgent | Meta AI features |147| Apple | Applebot-Extended | Apple Intelligence |148149#### robots.txt Recommendations150151```152# Allow AI crawlers for maximum AI search visibility153User-agent: GPTBot154Allow: /155156User-agent: anthropic-ai157Allow: /158159User-agent: ClaudeBot160Allow: /161162User-agent: PerplexityBot163Allow: /164165User-agent: Google-Extended166Allow: /167```168169**Decision framework:** If your goal is AI visibility (AEO/GEO), allow all AI crawlers. If you have licensing concerns about training data, selectively block training-only crawlers while allowing search/citation crawlers.170171#### Measurement Approaches172173| Method | What It Tracks | Tools |174|--------|---------------|-------|175| **Manual citation checks** | Query AI platforms, document citations | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google |176| **Server log analysis** | AI crawler frequency and pages crawled | Log analyzers, custom scripts |177| **Brand mention monitoring** | Your brand/content mentioned in AI answers | Manual checks, brand monitoring tools |178| **Referral traffic** | Traffic from AI platforms | GA4 (check referral sources for chat.openai.com, perplexity.ai) |179| **Schema validation** | Structured data coverage and errors | Google Search Console, Rich Results Test |180181## Content Types and AI Optimization182183### Blog Posts / Articles184- Add FAQ schema for common questions185- Structure with clear H2 question headings186- Include "Key Takeaways" or "TL;DR" section187- Date-stamp all statistics188189### Product / Service Pages190- Add Product or Service schema191- Include comparison tables vs alternatives192- Answer "What is [product]?" in first paragraph193- List specific features with quantified benefits194195### Documentation / How-To Content196- Add HowTo schema with explicit steps197- Number every step198- Include time estimates and difficulty level199- Add "Prerequisites" and "Common Mistakes" sections200201### Research / Data Content202- Add Dataset schema where applicable203- Lead with key findings before methodology204- Create a "Key Statistics" summary section205- Cite sample sizes, date ranges, and confidence levels206207## Anti-Patterns (Never Do)2082091. **Do not block AI crawlers** if your goal is AI visibility2102. **Do not write "click here" or "read more below"** — AI extracts content out of context2113. **Do not bury answers in long introductions** — lead with the answer2124. **Do not use vague qualifiers** — "many," "significant," "some" — use specific numbers2135. **Do not neglect author bylines** — E-E-A-T signals matter to AI models2146. **Do not duplicate content across pages** — AI models deduplicate and may ignore both2157. **Do not over-optimize for one AI platform** — optimize for all of them2168. **Do not forget internal linking** — AI crawlers follow links to build topical authority maps217218## Integration with Other Skills219220- **technical-seo-audit** — Run technical audit first, then layer AEO/GEO optimization221- **schema-markup-generator** — Generate the structured data this skill recommends222- **seo-content-writer** — Apply AEO writing patterns during content creation223- **content-creator** — Use brand voice analysis to maintain voice while optimizing for AI
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