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How AI picks a source
LLMs prefer content with clear authorship, a direct-answer summary near the top, and consistent entity signals across the web. A page written by 'Chris Heidlebaugh, Digital Marketing Coach' with Person schema and a linked knowledge panel is 3–5x more likely to be cited than the same content signed 'admin.'
The 5-step AI-visibility checklist
- Add Person + Organization JSON-LD with sameAs pointing to LinkedIn, Amazon author page, and your other verified profiles.
- Open every page with a 40–60 word TL;DR summary answering the exact question.
- Add FAQPage schema to every page that has 3+ real questions.
- Publish an /llms.txt file listing your important content.
- Get cited by name on Wikipedia-tier sources (industry press, association sites).
Resources in AI Search for Home Services
Every guide, podcast episode, checklist, and Q&A tagged to this topic — pick the format you learn best from.
Videos(1)
Q&A(4)
Is SEO dead because of AI?
No, SEO is not dead — it has split. Informational search traffic is down 20–40%, but local and commercial-intent SEO is stronger than ever because AI answers cite the same top-ranking pages. For home services (local, buying intent), SEO ROI is up, not down.
Q&A
How do I rank in ChatGPT?
You get cited by ChatGPT by combining classic SEO with three AI-specific signals: clear author attribution via Person schema, direct-answer summaries at the top of each page, and FAQPage schema on every page with real questions. Publishing an llms.txt file helps too.
Q&A
What Is Schema Markup and Do I Need It?
Schema is structured data (JSON-LD) that tells Google and AI assistants what your page is about — service, price range, review count, service area. Yes, you need it: it lifts rich-result eligibility and AI-answer citation rate.
Q&A
How Do I Get Cited in Perplexity and ChatGPT?
Publish direct-answer content with clear author attribution (Person schema), FAQ blocks, and specific numbers. LLMs cite pages that answer the question in the first paragraph and prove expertise with author + reviews data.
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO is the practice of optimizing content so generative AI engines (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) cite it. It overlaps 80% with SEO fundamentals plus explicit author attribution and structured direct-answer blocks.
Does llms.txt actually work?
It is a proposed standard, not universally honored yet. But ChatGPT and Claude already fetch it when present, and it costs nothing to publish. Ship it now.
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About the Author
Chris Heidlebaugh
Chris Heidlebaugh is a former construction worker turned Digital Marketing Coach with 25+ years of experience helping home service businesses — contractors, roofers, plumbers, HVAC, electricians, landscapers, and remodelers — build in-house marketing systems they actually own. He spent 18+ years on the job site while building a web and marketing company on the side, so he speaks both languages. He's also a former college professor who has taught 20,000+ students, the author of Digital Marketing for DIYers, host of the Digital Marketing Coach Podcast, and creator of the Insourced Marketing Blueprint.