AI search readiness checklist for 2026
A short list for ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews. Tick these on your own page, then confirm them with a live audit.
Let the page be read
Do not block GPTBot, Google-Extended, PerplexityBot or other named AI crawlers unless you mean to. Check robots.txt with the audit.
Answer the question early
Put a plain answer in the first lines. Use one H1 and H2s that match the questions people ask.
Add llms.txt
Publish a short text file at /llms.txt that says what the site is and links to the best pages.
Use real schema
Product pages need Product fields you actually have. Articles need Article. Do not paste a rating you cannot show.
Keep text, not only pictures
If the offer is only inside an image, an AI tool may miss it. Repeat the offer in the text and the alt text.
