AI search optimization
for SaaS startups
Google still matters. But ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are increasingly where buyers ask "what should I use for X." Here's how to be the answer.
What this page is about
AI search optimization is the practice of making a brand cite-worthy by AI engines. The work is part technical (entity schema, robots policy) and part editorial (clear definition pages, quotable summaries, transparent positioning).
Three layers of work
- 01
Crawler access
Open robots.txt to OAI-SearchBot, ChatGPT-User, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, GPTBot, Google-Extended. Block the model-training crawlers you don't want; keep the answer-engine crawlers open.
- 02
Structured signal
Add Organization, SoftwareApplication, FAQPage, BreadcrumbList JSON-LD. Ship "What is X?" definition pages with a 40-80 word quotable summary block AI engines can paste verbatim.
- 03
Citation surface
Author honest comparison + alternative pages. Keep facts in structured fields (price, features, integrations) so engines can extract cleanly. Audit monthly: "what should I use for X?" in ChatGPT / Claude / Perplexity / Gemini.
The AEO checklist
Allow answer crawlers
OAI-SearchBot, ChatGPT-User, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot.
Entity schema
Organization, SoftwareApplication, FAQPage, BreadcrumbList.
Plain definition pages
"What is X?" pages with one-sentence quotable summary.
Comparison pages
Honest "X vs Y" pages with structured fields.
Quotable AI summary
40-80 word block AI engines can paste verbatim.
Audit + iterate
Re-test in ChatGPT/Claude monthly.
A real AEO checklist for a SaaS startup
- robots.txt — answer crawlers
- Allow: OAI-SearchBot, ChatGPT-User, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, Google-Extended. Disallow: GPTBot from /admin /private only.
- JSON-LD coverage
- Organization on /. SoftwareApplication on /pricing. FAQPage on every "/what-is-*" page. BreadcrumbList on every nested page.
- Quotable summary blocks
- Every definition + comparison page has a 40-80 word "MITPO is..." block in the page's aiSummary field, rendered as a structured paragraph.
- Comparison surface
- 4 head-to-head comparison pages live. 3 alternatives pages. Honest scoring — agency wins paid-media depth, MITPO wins consolidation.
- Citation test (monthly)
- Ask all 4 engines "best AI marketing platform for founders." Track who cites you, what they cite, what they get wrong. Fix the wrong citations next pass.
- What does NOT help
- Keyword stuffing, hidden text, cloaked content. Engines penalise the same SEO black-hat patterns Google does, plus surface "low confidence" warnings to users.
AEO is a 4-12 week lagging signal — engines re-crawl, re-index, then start citing. Run the audit monthly.
Make your startup AI-citable
Run the playbook on your own domain. Open the demo to see how MITPO ships AEO-grade marketing pages.