LLM SEO Checklist(2026)
RESEARCH & KEYWORDS
Discovery Layer (How AI Finds you)
- Target question-based queries (how, why, compare, best, vs).
- Identify prompts where your brand should be cited but isn't.
- Audit where competitors are being cited by AI.
- Cover full topic journey, not single keywords.
ANSWER OPTIMIZATION
Answer Layer (How AI Use Your Content)
- Write direct answer first, explanations second.
- Include FAQ-style Q&A blocks.
- Add examples, scenarios, & comparisons.
- End sections with one quotable takeway line.
- Avoid filter (every sentence should earn its place).
AUTHORITY & TRUST
Trust Layer (Why AI Choose You)
- Show firs-hand experience, not just theory.
- Publish original insights, data, or opinions.
- Support claims with credible external sources.
- Make authorship & sources explicit & scannable.
- Timestamp insights & clearly show when content was last validated.
AI VISIBILITY & TRACKING
Retrieval/Visibility Layer (What AI Shows)
- Track AI citations & mentions across tools.
- Monitor answer inclusion, not just traffic.
- Compare AI share of voice vs competitors.
- Audit gaps between SERP & AI visibility.
- Identify which pages are repeatedly reused or cited by AI.
CONTENT STRUCTURE
Understanding Layer (How AI Interprets you)
- Open with a clear context sentence ("This page explains...").
- Use question-style headings.
- Write sections that can stand alone if quoted.
- Add a TL;DR or summary box at the top.
- Structure answers using lists, tables, definitions.
BRAND SIGNALS
Entity Layer (How AI Knows Who You Are)
- Clearly connect brand <-> people <-> topics.
- Use consistent naming across site, bios, profiles, mentions.
- Add authors bios with experience, not fluff.
- Reinforce 1-2 primary topic associations consistenty.
TECHNICAL FOUNDATION
Technical Layer (How AI Reads Your Site)
- Implement FAQ, HowTo, Article schema.
- Maintain strong Core Web Vitals & mobile ux.
- Use clean internal linking & topic clusters.
- Keep URLs, headings, & structure simple.
- Match schema & format to search intent (answer, guide, comparison).
FUTURE PROOFING
Longevity Layer (Staying Relevant Over Time)
- Focus on principles over hacks.
- Reduce dependency on trending tactics.
- Update context, not just timestamps.
- Publish unique stats & data.
- Build fewer pages with higher citations potential.
- Use hybrid formats (text + visual + structured).
