SEO + GEO Checklist: 30 Steps to Rank on Google AND Get Cited by ChatGPT

Search has split into two tracks.

There's the Google track — the one you know — and the AI track, where ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini pull answers from the web and cite sources directly. If you're only optimizing for one, you're leaving half the table empty.

The good news? These tracks overlap more than you think. About 80% of what makes you rank on Google also makes you citable by AI. The other 20% is where the SEO + GEO checklist comes in.

We built this checklist after analyzing what's actually working for the startups we work with at Averi.

No theory. No "it depends."

Thirty steps, each one concrete enough to hand to your developer, writer, or marketing lead and say "do this."

Let's get into it.

Part 1: Technical Foundation (Steps 1–10)

These are the infrastructure moves. They make your site crawlable by Google AND parseable by AI models. Skip these and nothing else matters.

Step 1: Ensure Sub-2-Second Load Times on Core Pages

Google's Core Web Vitals directly impact rankings, but speed also matters for AI crawlers. LLM training pipelines and real-time retrieval systems often have timeout thresholds. If your page loads slowly, it may not get indexed by either system.

Action: Run PageSpeed Insights on your top 20 pages. Target LCP under 2 seconds, CLS under 0.1, and INP under 200ms. Prioritize image compression, lazy loading, and reducing render-blocking JavaScript.

Step 2: Implement Clean, Semantic HTML Structure

AI models parse HTML structure to understand content hierarchy. If your page is a soup of <div> tags with no semantic meaning, both Google and LLMs struggle to extract the right information.

Action: Use proper <article>, <section>, <h1>–<h6>, <nav>, and <main> tags. Every page should have exactly one <h1>. Subheadings should follow a logical hierarchy — no skipping from H2 to H4.

Step 3: Add FAQ Schema to Your Top 20 Pages

FAQ schema does double duty. Google can display rich results, and AI models use structured data as a high-confidence signal when generating answers. Pages with FAQ schema are cited more frequently in AI-generated responses.

Action: Identify the 5–6 most common questions for each of your top pages. Add FAQ schema markup. Use a tool like Averi's FAQ Schema Generator to create the markup without touching code.

Step 4: Create and Maintain an XML Sitemap

This is SEO 101, but it's also GEO 101. AI retrieval systems use sitemaps to discover and prioritize content. If it's not in your sitemap, it might not exist to an AI crawler.

Action: Generate an XML sitemap that includes all indexable pages. Submit it via Google Search Console. Update it automatically when you publish or remove content. Keep it under 50,000 URLs per file.

Step 5: Implement an llms.txt File

This is the GEO-specific equivalent of robots.txt. An llms.txt file tells AI crawlers what your site is about, what content to prioritize, and how to attribute you.

Action: Create an llms.txt file at your root domain. Use Averi's llms.txt Generator to build one in minutes. Include your brand name, core topics, and preferred citation format.

Step 6: Set Up Proper Canonical Tags

Duplicate content confuses Google. It also confuses AI models that pull from multiple versions of the same page. Canonicals tell both systems which version is the "real" one.

Action: Audit your site for duplicate content (www vs. non-www, HTTP vs. HTTPS, trailing slashes). Set canonical tags on every page. Use self-referencing canonicals on unique pages.

Step 7: Optimize Your Robots.txt for AI Crawlers

Some sites accidentally block AI crawlers. Others block them on purpose and wonder why they're not getting cited. You need a deliberate strategy.

Action: Review your robots.txt. Decide which AI crawlers you want to allow (GPTBot, Google-Extended, Anthropic, etc.). Allow the ones that matter for your audience. Block the ones that don't add value.

Step 8: Implement Structured Data Beyond FAQ

FAQ schema is step 3. But there's more: Article schema, Organization schema, HowTo schema, Product schema. Each gives AI models structured signals about your content.

Action: Add Article schema to all blog posts (include author, datePublished, dateModified). Add Organization schema to your homepage. Add HowTo schema to tutorial content. Use Google's Rich Results Test to validate.

Step 9: Ensure Mobile-First Indexing Compatibility

Google indexes mobile-first. AI crawlers increasingly do the same. If your mobile experience is degraded — hidden content, broken layouts, slow loading — you're penalized on both fronts.

Action: Test every key page on mobile. Ensure all content visible on desktop is also visible on mobile (no "click to expand" hiding critical text). Test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool.

Step 10: Set Up Google Search Console + Bing Webmaster Tools

You can't optimize what you can't measure. Search Console shows you how Google sees your site. Bing Webmaster Tools matter because Bing powers a significant chunk of AI search (including ChatGPT's browsing).

Action: Verify your site on both platforms. Set up email alerts for crawl errors, indexing issues, and security problems. Check weekly for coverage issues.

Part 2: Content Optimization (Steps 11–20)

Your technical foundation is set. Now it's about creating content that both algorithms and AI models want to surface.

Step 11: Lead Every Article with a Clear, Definitive Answer

AI models love content that answers questions directly. Google's featured snippets work the same way. If your article buries the answer in paragraph 17, neither system will surface it.

Action: For every piece of content, identify the core question it answers. Put a clear, 2–3 sentence answer in the first 100 words. Then expand with nuance, data, and context below.

Step 12: Write TL;DR Sections for Every Long-Form Piece

TL;DR sections are citation magnets. AI models frequently pull from summary sections because they're dense, definitive, and self-contained.

Action: Add a TL;DR with 3–5 bullet points at the top of every article over 1,500 words. Make each bullet a standalone, quotable statement. Include your primary keyword naturally.

Step 13: Use Data, Statistics, and Specific Numbers

"Content marketing works" is forgettable. "Companies publishing 16+ blog posts per month get 3.5x more traffic than those publishing 0–4" is citable. AI models prioritize content with specific, verifiable data.

Action: Include at least 3–5 specific statistics or data points per article. Cite your sources. Use original data when possible — proprietary research is the ultimate citation magnet.

Step 14: Create Definitive, Comprehensive Guides

Surface-level content gets outranked by comprehensive resources. AI models prefer citing sources that cover a topic thoroughly because it reduces the risk of incomplete answers.

Action: For your core topics, create pillar content that's 3,000+ words and covers every major subtopic. Use clear H2/H3 structure. Link to more detailed sub-articles for each section.

Step 15: Optimize for Question-Based Queries

People ask AI questions. They type questions into Google. Your content should explicitly answer the questions your audience is asking.

Action: Use tools like AlsoAsked, AnswerThePublic, or Google's "People Also Ask" to find question-based queries in your niche. Create content that directly addresses these questions — ideally as H2 headers with clear answers below.

Step 16: Include Expert Quotes and Original Perspectives

AI models are increasingly trained to value authoritative sources. Content with named expert quotes, original frameworks, and unique perspectives gets cited more than generic rehashes.

Action: Interview subject matter experts for your content. Include named quotes with credentials. Develop proprietary frameworks and name them. Your unique perspective is your moat.

Step 17: Update Content Quarterly (At Minimum)

Freshness matters for both Google and AI. A guide published in 2023 with no updates is less likely to rank or get cited than one updated in 2026.

Action: Set a quarterly content audit schedule. Update statistics, refresh examples, add new sections. Change the dateModified in your Article schema. Add an "Last updated: [date]" note at the top of the article.

Step 18: Optimize Meta Titles and Descriptions for CTR

Higher click-through rates signal relevance to Google. And your meta description often becomes the snippet that AI models display when citing you.

Action: Write meta titles under 60 characters with your primary keyword near the front. Write meta descriptions under 155 characters that include a clear value proposition. A/B test titles on your top 10 pages.

Step 19: Use Internal Linking Strategically

Internal links help Google understand your site structure and help AI models follow the thread of your expertise. A well-linked site signals topical authority.

Action: Every article should link to 3–5 related internal pages. Use descriptive anchor text (not "click here"). Create hub-and-spoke structures where pillar content links to supporting articles and vice versa.

Step 20: Create Comparison and "vs." Content

Comparison queries are huge for both SEO and GEO. "Tool A vs. Tool B" queries get high search volume, and AI models frequently synthesize comparison content when answering recommendation questions.

Action: Identify the top 5–10 comparison queries in your space. Create honest, detailed comparison pages. Include a clear recommendation. Don't be afraid to say when a competitor wins on a specific feature — credibility is the game.

Part 3: Authority & Distribution (Steps 21–30)

Content without distribution is a tree falling in an empty forest. These steps build the authority signals that make Google and AI trust you.

Step 21: Build Topical Authority Through Content Clusters

Google's algorithm rewards sites that demonstrate deep expertise in specific topics. AI models do the same — they're more likely to cite a site that has 20 articles on "content marketing for SaaS" than one with a single post.

Action: Identify 3–5 core topic clusters for your brand. Plan 10–15 pieces per cluster. Interlink everything. Build a topical map and fill gaps systematically over 6–12 months.

Step 22: Earn Backlinks from High-Authority Publications

Backlinks remain the strongest off-page signal for Google. They also influence AI citation — sites with strong backlink profiles are more likely to appear in training data and retrieval results.

Action: Create linkable assets: original research, free tools, definitive guides, data visualizations. Pitch them to industry publications. Target sites with DR 50+ in your niche. Aim for 5–10 quality backlinks per month.

Step 23: Get Listed in Industry Directories and Roundups

AI models often pull from curated lists and directories when answering "best tool for X" queries. Being listed in these resources increases your citation likelihood.

Action: Identify the top 20 directories, roundup posts, and "best of" lists in your industry. Submit your product or content for inclusion. Update your listings quarterly.

Step 24: Publish Original Research Annually

Nothing builds authority like original data. Google rewards it with links and rankings. AI models cite it because primary sources are more reliable than secondary ones.

Action: Conduct one significant research study per year. Survey your customers, analyze your platform data, or partner with a research firm. Publish a comprehensive report and break it into 5–10 derivative blog posts.

Step 25: Build a Presence on High-Authority Platforms

AI models are trained on data from platforms like Wikipedia, Reddit, Stack Overflow, and industry-specific forums. Having a presence on these platforms increases your brand's visibility to AI.

Action: Contribute genuinely to Reddit threads in your niche. Answer questions on Quora and Stack Overflow. Ensure your company has a Wikipedia page if you meet notability criteria. Create detailed product pages on G2 and Capterra.

Step 26: Distribute Content Across Multiple Channels

Don't just publish and pray. Distribute every piece of content across the channels where your audience lives. More distribution = more engagement signals = stronger authority.

Action: For every article, create: a LinkedIn post, a Twitter thread, an email newsletter mention, and a short video summary. Repurpose, don't just reshare. Each channel gets native content.

Step 27: Build an Email List and Nurture It

Email is the one channel you own entirely. It drives direct traffic, engagement signals, and repeat visits — all of which support SEO. Plus, engaged audiences share content, generating natural backlinks.

Action: Add lead magnets to your top 10 pages. Send a weekly or biweekly newsletter featuring your best content. Segment your list and personalize where possible. Target 20%+ open rates and 3%+ click rates.

Step 28: Monitor AI Citations and Respond

You can't improve what you don't track. Start monitoring when and how AI models cite your content — and when they cite your competitors instead.

Action: Regularly query ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini with questions in your niche. Document which sources get cited. Identify gaps where competitors get cited but you don't. Create content to fill those gaps.

Step 29: Develop Brand Entity Signals

AI models understand entities — brands, people, products. The stronger your entity signals, the more likely AI models are to associate your brand with your topic.

Action: Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across the web. Claim your Google Knowledge Panel. Build your founder's personal brand on LinkedIn and Twitter. Get mentioned (not just linked) by authoritative sources.

Step 30: Audit and Iterate Monthly

SEO and GEO are not set-and-forget. The algorithms change, AI models get updated, and your competitors are doing the same work you are. Monthly audits keep you ahead.

Action: Set a monthly audit cadence. Check: rankings for target keywords, AI citation frequency, organic traffic trends, Core Web Vitals, backlink growth, and content freshness. Adjust your strategy based on data, not hunches.

Putting It All Together: Your 6-Week Sprint Plan

Here's how to implement all 30 steps without losing your mind:

Weeks 1–2: Technical Foundation (Steps 1–10)

• Run site audits and fix technical issues

• Implement structured data and llms.txt

• Set up monitoring tools

Weeks 3–4: Content Optimization (Steps 11–20)

• Audit and update your top 20 pages

• Add TL;DRs, FAQ sections, and better structure

• Fill content gaps with new pieces

Weeks 5–6: Authority & Distribution (Steps 21–30)

• Launch link-building campaigns

• Set up distribution workflows

• Begin monitoring AI citations

Then repeat the cycle quarterly, deepening each area.

The SEO + GEO Mindset Shift

The biggest mistake we see startups make is treating GEO as a separate initiative from SEO. It's not. It's SEO evolved.

Everything that made content rank on Google — technical excellence, comprehensive coverage, authoritative backlinks, great user experience — still matters. GEO just adds a new layer: make your content structured, definitive, and easy for AI models to parse and cite.

If you do the 30 steps in this checklist, you won't just rank on Google. You'll become the source that AI models trust when millions of people ask questions in your space.

And that's a competitive advantage that compounds over time.

Related Resources

• The GEO Playbook 2026: Getting Cited by LLMs (Not Just Ranked by Google)

• 12 SEO & GEO Search Trends That Defined 2025 (And the Playbook for What Comes Next)

• From Zero to SEO Authority: AI-Powered Content Strategy for Early-Stage SaaS

• Free FAQ Schema Generator

• Free llms.txt Generator