5 Ways to Optimize Your Website for AI Crawlers
AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity crawl websites to build their knowledge. Here's how to make sure they understand your business.
Kevin McCabe
Founder
AI crawlers are visiting your website—but can they understand what they find? Many websites are technically invisible to AI, either blocking crawlers or presenting content AI can't parse.
Here are 5 ways to ensure AI platforms can crawl, understand, and cite your business.
1. Check Your robots.txt
Make sure you're not blocking AI crawlers. Allow GPTBot, ChatGPT-User, PerplexityBot, and ClaudeBot access to your site.
2. Implement Server-Side Rendering
If your site uses JavaScript frameworks, AI crawlers may not see your content. Implement SSR or pre-rendering to ensure content is visible in the initial HTML.
3. Add Structured Data
Schema markup helps AI understand your business context. Add LocalBusiness, Organization, and FAQPage schemas to key pages.
4. Create Crawlable Content
Use clear heading hierarchies, include FAQ sections, and ensure important information isn't hidden behind JavaScript interactions.
5. Submit to Bing
ChatGPT uses Bing for real-time information. Make sure your site is indexed in Bing Webmaster Tools.
These optimizations ensure AI platforms can access and understand your business—the first step to being recommended.