seo-geo

# SEO/GEO Optimization Skill

Comprehensive SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) for websites. Optimize for both traditional search engines (Google, Bing) and AI search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot, Claude).

## Quick Reference

**GEO = Generative Engine Optimization** - Optimizing content to be cited by AI search engines.

**Key Insight:** AI search engines don't rank pages - they **cite sources**. Being cited is the new "ranking #1".

## Workflow

### Step 1: Website Audit

Get the target URL and analyze current SEO/GEO status.

**Basic SEO Audit (Free):**
```bash
python3 scripts/seo_audit.py "https://example.com"
```
**Use this for**: Quick technical SEO check (title, meta, H1, robots, sitemap, load time). No API needed.

---

**Check Meta Tags:**
```bash
curl -sL "https://example.com" | grep -E "<title>|<meta name=\"description\"|<meta property=\"og:|application/ld\+json" | head -20
```

**Use this for**: Quick check of essential meta tags and schema markup on any webpage.

---

**Check robots.txt:**
```bash
curl -s "https://example.com/robots.txt"
```

**Use this for**: Verify which bots are allowed/blocked. Critical for ensuring AI search engines can crawl your site.

---

**Check sitemap:**
```bash
curl -s "https://example.com/sitemap.xml" | head -50
```

**Use this for**: Verify sitemap structure and ensure all important pages are included for search engine discovery.

**Verify AI Bot Access:**
```
# These bots should be allowed in robots.txt:
- Googlebot (Google)
- Bingbot (Bing/Copilot)
- PerplexityBot (Perplexity)
- ChatGPT-User (ChatGPT with browsing)
- ClaudeBot / anthropic-ai (Claude)
- GPTBot (OpenAI)
```

### Step 2: Keyword Research

Use **WebSearch** to research target keywords:

```
WebSearch: "{keyword} keyword difficulty site:ahrefs.com OR site:semrush.com"
WebSearch: "{keyword} search volume 2026"
WebSearch: "site:{competitor.com} {keyword}"
```

**Analyze:**
- Search volume and difficulty
- Competitor keyword strategies
- Long-tail keyword opportunities
- International keyword conflicts (e.g., "OPC" = industrial automation in English markets)

### Step 3: GEO Optimization (AI Search Engines)

Apply the **9 Princeton GEO Methods** (see [references/geo-research.md](./references/geo-research.md)):

| Method | Visibility Boost | How to Apply |
|--------|-----------------|--------------|
| **Cite Sources** | +40% | Add authoritative citations and references |
| **Statistics Addition** | +37% | Include specific numbers and data points |
| **Quotation Addition** | +30% | Add expert quotes with attribution |
| **Authoritative Tone** | +25% | Use confident, expert language |
| **Easy-to-understand** | +20% | Simplify complex concepts |
| **Technical Terms** | +18% | Include domain-specific terminology |
| **Unique Words** | +15% | Increase vocabulary diversity |
| **Fluency Optimization** | +15-30% | Improve readability and flow |
| ~~Keyword Stuffing~~ | **-10%** | **AVOID - hurts visibility** |

**Best Combination:** Fluency + Statistics = Maximum boost

**Generate FAQPage Schema** (+40% AI visibility):
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "What is [topic]?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "According to [source], [answer with statistics]."
    }
  }]
}
```

**Optimize Content Structure:**
- Use "answer-first" format (direct answer at top)
- Clear H1 > H2 > H3 hierarchy
- Bullet points and numbered lists
- Tables for comparison data
- Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)

### Step 4: Traditional SEO Optimization

**Meta Tags Template:**
```html
<title>{Primary Keyword} - {Brand} | {Secondary Keyword}</title>
<meta name="description" content="{Compelling description with keyword, 150-160 chars}">
<meta name="keywords" content="{keyword1}, {keyword2}, {keyword3}">

<!-- Open Graph -->
<meta property="og:title" content="{Title}">
<meta property="og:description" content="{Description}">
<meta property="og:image" content="{Image URL 1200x630}">
<meta property="og:url" content="{Canonical URL}">
<meta property="og:type" content="website">

<!-- Twitter Cards -->
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image">
<meta name="twitter:title" content="{Title}">
<meta name="twitter:description" content="{Description}">
<meta name="twitter:image" content="{Image URL}">
```

**JSON-LD Schema** (see [references/schema-templates.md](./references/schema-templates.md)):
- WebPage / Article for content pages
- FAQPage for FAQ sections
- Product for product pages
- Organization for about pages
- SoftwareApplication for tools/apps

**Check Content:**
- [ ] H1 contains primary keyword
- [ ] Images have descriptive alt text
- [ ] Internal links to related content
- [ ] External links have `rel="noopener noreferrer"`
- [ ] Content is mobile-friendly
- [ ] Page loads in < 3 seconds

### Step 5: Validate & Monitor

**Schema Validation:**
```bash
# Open Google Rich Results Test
open "https://search.google.com/test/rich-results?url={encoded_url}"

# Open Schema.org Validator
open "https://validator.schema.org/?url={encoded_url}"
```

**Check Indexing Status:**
```bash
# Google (use Search Console API or manual check)
open "https://www.google.com/search?q=site:{domain}"

# Bing
open "https://www.bing.com/search?q=site:{domain}"
```

**Generate Report:**
```markdown
## SEO/GEO Optimization Report

### Current Status
- Meta Tags: ✅/❌
- Schema Markup: ✅/❌
- AI Bot Access: ✅/❌
- Mobile Friendly: ✅/❌
- Page Speed: X seconds

### Recommendations
1. [Priority 1 action]
2. [Priority 2 action]
3. [Priority 3 action]

### GEO Optimizations Applied
- [ ] FAQPage schema added
- [ ] Statistics included
- [ ] Citations added
- [ ] Answer-first structure
```

## Platform-Specific Optimization

See [references/platform-algorithms.md](./references/platform-algorithms.md) for detailed ranking factors.

### ChatGPT
- Focus on **branded domain authority** (cited 11% more than third-party)
- Update content within **30 days** (3.2x more citations)
- Build **backlinks** (>350K referring domains = 8.4 avg citations)
- Match content style to ChatGPT's response format

### Perplexity
- Allow **PerplexityBot** in robots.txt
- Use **FAQ Schema** (higher citation rate)
- Host **PDF documents** (prioritized for citation)
- Focus on **semantic relevance** over keywords

### Google AI Overview (SGE)
- Optimize for **E-E-A-T** (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
- Use **structured data** (Schema markup)
- Build **topical authority** (content clusters + internal linking)
- Include **authoritative citations** (+132% visibility)

### Microsoft Copilot / Bing
- Ensure **Bing indexing** (required for citation)
- Optimize for **Microsoft ecosystem** (LinkedIn, GitHub mentions help)
- Page speed **< 2 seconds**
- Clear **entity definitions**

### Claude AI
- Ensure **Brave Search indexing** (Claude uses Brave, not Google)
- High **factual density** (data-rich content preferred)
- Clear **structural clarity** (easy to extract)

## Skill Dependencies

This skill works best with:
- **twitter skill** - Search SEO experts for latest tips
- **reddit skill** - Search r/SEO, r/bigseo for discussions
- **WebSearch** - Keyword research and competitor analysis

## References

- [references/platform-algorithms.md](./references/platform-algorithms.md) - Detailed ranking factors for each platform
- [references/geo-research.md](./references/geo-research.md) - Princeton GEO research (9 methods)
- [references/schema-templates.md](./references/schema-templates.md) - JSON-LD templates
- [references/seo-checklist.md](./references/seo-checklist.md) - Complete SEO audit checklist
- [references/tools-and-apis.md](./references/tools-and-apis.md) - Tools and API reference
- [examples/opc-skills-case-study.md](./examples/opc-skills-case-study.md) - Real-world optimization example