✦ Actionable Guide ✦
The LLMO Optimization Checklist
To optimize for LLM citations: structure content with clear headings, open sections with direct answers, add statistics and citations, implement schema markup, and build brand mentions across platforms.
Content Structure Checklist
ChatGPT cites structured content 3x more often than unstructured alternatives. Sequential headings, lists, and answer capsules are essential.
1
Use sequential heading hierarchy (H1 > H2 > H3)
Never skip heading levels. Each page should have exactly one H1, with H2s for main sections and H3s for subsections.
2
Place 20-25 word answer capsule after each H2
Start each section with a self-contained statement that could stand alone. This is what LLMs extract first.
3
Include at least one list or table per major section
Cited pages average 14 list sections, which is 17x more than typical Google results. Use numbered lists for processes, bullets for features.
4
Add FAQ pairs throughout content (not just at bottom)
FAQ schema appears 2x more frequently in LLM-cited content. Weave Q&A pairs near relevant sections rather than isolating them.
5
Update "Last modified" dates when refreshing content
LLMs weight freshness heavily. Display dates visibly and include dateModified in schema markup.
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Authority Building Checklist
Brand mentions outperform backlinks 3:1 for AI presence. Build authority through credentials, reviews, and multi-platform visibility.
1
Add author bios with credentials to all content
Display clear author attribution with professional credentials, photo, and links to LinkedIn/Twitter profiles.
2
Implement Person schema for authors
Help LLMs understand who wrote your content and their expertise. Include jobTitle, alumniOf, and sameAs properties.
3
Build brand mentions across relevant platforms
Seek inclusion in industry roundups, "best of" lists, and expert commentary. Mentions without links still build AI authority.
4
Systematically solicit customer reviews
Request reviews on Google, G2, and industry-specific platforms. Ratings below 3.5 stars make AI recommendations unlikely.
5
Create original research that earns citations
Proprietary data is the #1 differentiator. Surveys, benchmarks, and case studies generate natural mentions and links.
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Technical Implementation Checklist
Schema markup helps AI understand your content. LLMs grounded in knowledge graphs achieve 300% higher accuracy than unstructured sources.
1
Implement priority schema types
Essential: Organization, LocalBusiness (if applicable), FAQPage, Article/BlogPosting, HowTo for tutorials. Use JSON-LD format in the <head>.
2
Configure robots.txt for AI crawlers
Allow AI search bots (ChatGPT-User, PerplexityBot, OAI-SearchBot). Consider blocking pure training bots (GPTBot, CCBot) if content is proprietary.
3
Create an llms.txt file
Place at /llms.txt with markdown-formatted descriptions of your key pages. This emerging standard helps AI discovery.
4
Ensure fast page load times
Technical SEO fundamentals still matter. Core Web Vitals, mobile responsiveness, and clean code help both SEO and AI visibility.
5
Validate schema with Google's Rich Results Test
Check all pages for schema errors. Ensure markup matches visible content exactly to avoid "schema drift."
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Platform Presence Checklist
Multi-platform presence significantly influences AI recommendations. Wikipedia, LinkedIn, Reddit, and YouTube content are heavily referenced by AI systems.
1
Claim and optimize Google Business Profile
Essential for local search and voice assistants. Complete all fields, add photos, respond to reviews, and keep hours updated.
2
Create Wikipedia/Wikidata entries if notable
Wikipedia and Wikidata strongly impact AI responses. Requires meeting notability guidelines, so don't create pages for non-notable businesses.
3
Complete LinkedIn company and personal profiles
LinkedIn articles increasingly appear in B2B queries. Use detailed descriptions with relevant keywords.
4
List on Crunchbase and industry directories
These structured data sources help establish your business entity in AI knowledge graphs.
5
Participate authentically on Reddit and Quora
These platforms are heavily referenced by Google AI Overviews. Provide genuine value and avoid promotional content.
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Measurement Checklist
Track AI traffic with GA4 custom channels, monitor brand mentions monthly, and establish baselines before optimization begins.
1
Create GA4 AI traffic custom channel
Navigate to Admin > Data Display > Channel Groups. Create channel with source regex: (chatgpt\.com|openai\.com|perplexity\.ai|claude\.ai|gemini\.google\.com|you\.com|copilot\.microsoft\.com)
2
Establish baseline metrics
Document current AI mentions, traffic, and sentiment before starting optimization. You can't measure improvement without a starting point.
3
Monitor brand mentions monthly
Search your brand in ChatGPT and Perplexity directly. Use tools like ZipTie, Peec AI, or Otterly.AI for automated tracking.
4
Track citation share of voice vs competitors
Compare how often you're mentioned versus competitors for key queries. This reveals positioning opportunities.
5
Watch for unexplained direct traffic spikes
Free ChatGPT users don't send referrer data. Sudden direct traffic increases may indicate unattributed AI referrals.
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