Optimize Your Pages for AI Citations (All platforms)

Search traffic is changing, and AI is starting to control some of the distribution. This article will cover how to optimize your existing posts and pages for AI and what that might include, how much time to spend on it, and if it is worth it for your use case.

TL;DR This article covers optimization of content to best meet the needs of LLMs. The goal is to gain citations as experts in our fields. This is written to content creators and bloggers in 2026. Cathy Mitchell outlines 10 tips that work; when optimization is necessary and when it is not.

There is a difference between content written for search engines, and content written for AI. AI often summarizes and wraps up ideas into simple bits, accompanied by quotes or references to relevant sources. They are looking for concise, easy-to-digest bits on fact. They are not looking for the world’s longest guide to fly fishing.

Do you need a developer? No! You’ll be glad to know that optimization for LLMs does not require any more technical ability than you already possess.

What AI Systems Actually Look For

AI systems do not scan content like google bots do. LLM’s (eg. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity) are looking for bits of information that they can use and re-apply for their chats.

LLMs answer questions by breaking the answers into claims, definitions, examples, expertise signals. They are looking for ‘sound bites’ – clarity will win over story-telling every time.

Clarity means including only one idea per paragraph. Use small paragraphs, just like for SEO. Clarity means that you can skip the long intro stories. And also be sure to include your conclusions early in the article – don’t wait until the end. Use a TL;DR box at the top if you need to.

Specificity is the second important trait that LLM’s are looking for. When you’re being clear, also be specific. Use numbers, examples, comparisons and your own observations. Just be specific with them.

Originality – this is something as content creators you excel at! Include your thoughts and ideas. LLMs can generalize all the advice out there, but it will cite you as an outlier if you get enough authority behind you. It will send traffic to you too. And check your posts to be sure that your name is clearly attached as the author of the article.

• Example:
  • Before: “SEO is changing a lot lately.”
  • After: “AI Overviews reduce click-through rates when they appear, which changes how creators should structure content.”

How Writers Can Structure Content Better

Traditionally, the advice was that every article needed 2000 words, and the more complete and compelling, the better for SEO. We would use hooks, and withhold conclusions to get longer read time, and lower that bounce rate!

What LLMs are looking for is the answer first, and a clear explanation to follow. And if necessary, a story or example. Do not change all your articles or writing yet – we have suggestions.

You still need the SEO-friendly article – so don’t destroy anything you’ve created!

TIP #1: Use “Quotable” Paragraphs

Because LLMs put such emphasis on brevity and clarity, small sound bites will do really well in their answers. Plus when citing sources, they rarely pull more than a small paragraph. So while you’re editing old posts, be sure to pull out a blockquote or two from your writing and add to a ‘blockquote’ block to emphasize it.

Instead of the paragraph above, I might say, “To target writing to AI, content creators must transform their long stories into short and digestible sound bites.”

Some ideas for concise and clear paragraphs you can add to your articles:

• definitions
• summaries
• frameworks
• comparisons
• step-by-step explanations

Tip #2: Check your Block Editor Use

This has always been true since the beginning of SEO optimization. Both search engines and LLMs need to see the behind-the-scenes code to understand if that paragraph is a title, a caption, is it big and bold (important) or is it a footnote? The only way to communicate that, is to use the proper blocks while writing.

To review, these are true for SEO and LLMs:

• use headings to outline your content, not to add styles
• use bullet points (the block, do not just add a bullet point to your paragraphs)
• use numbered steps (not just typing the number – actually use a list block)
• short paragraphs – 2-3 sentences max. Think about the length to a reader on a phone.
• FAQ sections: these are new and a great idea for readers & llms
• summary boxes – this is primarily for LLMs but I love a good TL;DR!

The Human Advantage

Tip #3: Write like a Human

You still have the upper hand over LLMs when it comes to real world observations, nuance, historical context and emotions, intuition and judgement. You can interpret what happened – and answer important questions like why, will it happen again, and what does it mean? LLMs can tell us when and what happened.

Tip #4: LLMs appreciate Unique Opinions (I’m good at this!)

If you are just going with the flow, relating what others have said, or regurgitating old thoughts, you are not citable. LLMs are looking for information to ADD to their research. They already know the mainstream thoughts. They need new concise, brief and quotable content. This content is stuff that takes a position on politics, defines a trend in fashion, explains consequences of a new diet trend, and challenges assumptions about cooking.

Example:

WordPress 7.0 is coming May 20.
We recommend upgrading to WordPress 7.0 as soon as it is available.

Practical Writing Techniques

Tip #5: Writing Framework for LLMs

If you have been writing magazine-type articles we have another format for you to try. The LLMs really like the Claim – Evidence – Explanation format we alluded to above. This is a simple framework that will help you place the information in the sequence that works best for LLMs. Use this at your own discretion – your goal should be trust with your human readers!

Simple framework for non-technical writers:

1. Make a clear statement
2. Support it
3. Explain why it matters

Tip #6: Create “AI-Friendly” Summaries

Adding a quick TL;DR summary at the top of your article, along with your name as the author is a great way to accomplish a bunch of the tips in one go.

• include a concise summaries help LLM’s understand
• it sets appropriate expectations for readers

Tip #7: Use Original Language

This is an interesting one. Use original language. Yes – you read that right – make up words! I do this all-the-time. And you know who does NOT do that? LLMs. That makes your writing unique and original.

• If you have a signature class, or trend, or topic, name it something original!
• Using your vernacular becomes a reference for the AI’s

WPBarista – that is a made up word.
All-the-hyphenated words that I like to use in my writing – totally my own style and definitely not-found-in-the-dictionary.

What NOT to Do

Tip #8: Avoid these Mistakes

• writing overly generic advice
• Keyword stuffing, obviously!
• Fluffy, long, unnecessary introductions
• Saying nothing concretely
• rewriting others’ opinions

Tip #9: Don’t Chase Technical SEO Rabbit Holes

We’ve been getting a lot of questions on ‘adding a schema’ to your articles. Can you make it better? Can you add stuff to a LLM file? Robots file? Ads.txt file? This is called a rabbit hole in unofficial terms. Avoid these!

The problem is that they may make a difference… but only when all the bigger issues are taken care of. You need to begin adding technical expertise if the following are all complete:

• a perfectly written site,
• with perfect summaries
• quotables,
• SEO optimized
• topical landing pages
• all images properly labeled and optimized
• speed optimized
• accessibility is passing

Avoid advanced audits that tell you every little thing that is wrong. These are easy to produce and sent often by SEO companies to show you how much they can help. There is a bazillion things wrong with the site – if you hire them – they will fix them all – and – voila, you’ll do better.

How much better? They can’t say.

Measurably better? They can’t say.

How long will it take? They can’t say.

The better approach is to find one or two items from a trusted advisor and work on those. Then get some more. It is easier to manage, a stronger approach psychologically and easier on the budget and time.

Avoid enterprise level tools – like SEMrush. They have some simpler reports to read now. But they also have hard-to-understand detailed reports that have zero use to any small business. By small business, I mean under 1 million in sales, or 10 employees. Instead of tools that require 10 people just to interpret the graphs- try adding clarity, structure and expertise to your articles. That will get you light years ahead if you do that consistently across all your content.

Conclusion

Tip #10: AI Looks for Trusted Sources

AI is changing how people get information. But it does not negate the need for experts. And trusted experts. The internet needs you, but to pay yourself, you need your audience. By audience I do not mean pageviews. You need to add the four layers of monetization that we talked about here to create a sustainable content creating business.

Content creators who can interpret, and advise, are experts in their fields and are trusted are in demand right now.

“Content that is useful, quotable, experience-based, and structurally clear is more likely to survive the AI transition than content written only for clicks.” ~ Cathy Mitchell

Frequently Asked Questions