Expert Guide: How to Do LLM SEO

Last Updated on September 10, 2025 by Becky Halls

Introduction

SEO isn’t just about ranking in Google’s top 10 anymore – it’s about being cited by AI. With AI-powered discovery (think ChatGPT, Gemini, AI Overviews) changing how people get and consume information, LLM SEO is now essential for visibility. This guide walks you through how to do LLM SEO, what LLM SEO means, why it’s a game-changer, and how to optimize your content to get cited by AI systems – so you’re not just found, but trusted and referenced.

What Is LLM SEO and Why Does It Matter

LLM SEO (Large Language Model Search Engine Optimization) is the art of optimizing your content so AI systems not only understand it but cite it when they respond to user queries.

• Traditional SEO targets rankings in search engines.

• LLM SEO is about earning trust and citations from AI-powered systems like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Gemini. These systems often synthesize answers instead of listing links. Visibility means being part of their responses, and not being visible means being invisible. MediumSeoProfy

“LLM SEO isn’t about chasing rankings. It’s about earning trust and citation within AI systems.” — Becky Halls, Strategist at 3Way Social

Key Stats & Trends

• 74% of new web content now includes AI-generated components, and 86.5% of top 20 ranking content is at least partially AI-created Ahrefs.

• Only 26% of content is fully human-written, and only half of that ranks among top Google positions Ahrefs.

• High-ranking content matters: 81% of AI Overviews include at least one citation from Google’s top 10 SERP results, and ranking #1 gives you a 33% chance of being featured Writesonic.

• AI citations remain inconsistent: Gemini provides no clickable citation in 92% of answers, and many LLMs fail to cite relevant sources consistently arXiv.

Strategies to Optimize for LLM SEO

1. Serve Humans and AI

Start with a strong base: technical SEO, structured content, strong backlinks, good site speed, and crawlability matter even more now. AI systems rely on clean, accessible content to process it effectively. MediumSeoProfy

2. Embrace GEO & AEO

• GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): Optimize for AI citations – use llms.txt, clear metadata, schema markup, and structured writing so AI understands context. Wikipedia

• AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Format content in Q&A, FAQs, numbered lists—make it instantly extractable. Wikipedia

3. Build Topical Entity Maps

LLM systems understand context through entities – mention relevant tools, frameworks, people, and concepts around your topic. This contextual mapping helps AI systems “see” your authority. Medium

4. Structure for AI Extraction

Use clean headings (H2, H3), short paragraphs, and include direct answers at the start of sections. LLM systems extract better from concise, organized content. MediumSeoProfy

5. Use Schema & llms.txt

Apply JSON-LD schema (e.g., FAQPage, HowTo), and set up llms.txt to guide AI crawlers to your content’s purpose and structure. Wikipedia

6. Be Fresh & Verifiable

Keep content updated with recent stats, timestamps, and verifiable sources. LLM systems prioritize freshness and factual accuracy. MediumarXiv

7. Rank High to Increase AI Citations

Ranking matters because AI often mirrors SERP trust. Pages ranking in Google’s top positions stand a much greater chance of being cited by AI-generated summaries. Writesonic

8. Monitor LLM Mentions

Track how often AI systems cite your content. This is the new metric of authority – being mentioned in AI Overviews or chat responses trumps ranking alone. MediumBacklinko

Summary Table

“Ranking #1 isn’t enough; if AI isn’t citing you, your content might as well not exist.” — Ian Naylor, Founder of 3Way Social

FAQ: How To Do LLM SEO

Q1. Does AI-generated content hurt SEO?
Not necessarily—AI-assisted content is prevalent in top ranking pages and doesn’t harm rankings if mixed with human editing. Ahrefs

Q2. Are backlinks irrelevant in LLM SEO?
Not at all—they support the ranking layer, which boosts AI citation chances. But trust and context matter more.

Q3. How do I know if AI is citing my content?
Use tools that monitor AI mentions—track whether AI Overviews and chat responses include your content or brand. This is a core signal in LLM visibility.

Final Thoughts

LLM SEO is the next frontier. It’s not about ranking anymore: it’s about being cited, trusted, and front-of-mind when AI systems answer queries. By merging traditional SEO fundamentals with targeted AI-friendly tactics, you ensure your content thrives, whether readers land via Google or an AI-generated answer.