What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing your content to become the authoritative source that AI models cite when generating answers. Unlike SEO which focuses on ranking for clicks, AEO ensures your content is selected, referenced, and recommended by AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. As search evolves from traditional engines to conversational AI, being discoverable means being citable.

What is the core difference between AEO and SEO?

The core difference is the primary goal. While traditional SEO optimizes for clicks from a list of search results, AEO optimizes for being the authoritative source that AI systems trust and cite directly in their answers. AEO focuses on semantic clarity and authority to be featured by answer engines, not just ranked.

How do I optimize my website for ChatGPT and other AI engines?

Optimizing for AI engines requires implementing structured data (JSON-LD), creating clear "Answer Objects" that directly address common questions, and ensuring your content demonstrates E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Focus on semantic clarity, use natural language that mirrors how people ask questions, and provide comprehensive, well-sourced answers.

Why do traditional SEO tactics fail for AI models?

Traditional SEO tactics focus on signals for search engine crawlers, such as keyword density and backlinks. AI models prioritize semantic understanding, factual accuracy, and content authority. Tactics like keyword stuffing do not influence how AI systems evaluate and cite content because they analyze content for meaning, not just keywords.

Which AI engines does AEO.VC optimize for?

AEO.VC is built specifically for generative AI engines and helps you optimize for platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

What does 'Generative Visibility' mean?

Generative Visibility refers to the likelihood of your brand or content being cited, referenced, and recommended by AI systems when they generate answers for users. It's about becoming an authoritative part of the AI conversation, moving beyond simple search rankings.

ChatGPT Not Showing My Website? Why & How to Fix It

ChatGPT Search uses its own index and crawlers (like OAI-SearchBot) plus external indexes such as Bing. If your site is blocked by robots.txt, heavily JavaScript-dependent, slow, behind a login wall, or simply not indexed in Bing/ChatGPT's crawlers yet, it's unlikely to appear in ChatGPT answers—even if it ranks in Google.

Core Stats

67%of sites ranking in Google are invisible to ChatGPT due to crawler blocks or rendering issues

2-3 weekstypical time to get indexed by OAI-SearchBot after fixing technical issues

"Google rankings don't guarantee ChatGPT visibility. AI crawlers operate independently with different technical requirements."
- AI Search Reality

ChatGPT Not Showing My Website? Complete Fix Guide

Your site ranks well in Google but ChatGPT completely ignores it? ChatGPT Search operates independently with different crawlers, indexes, and technical requirements. Here's the complete checklist to get your site indexed and cited.

Why ChatGPT Isn't Showing Your Site:

❌ Blocked Crawlers: robots.txt blocks OAI-SearchBot or GPTBot

❌ Rendering Issues: Critical content hidden behind JavaScript

❌ Not in Bing Index: ChatGPT uses Bing, not Google

❌ Slow Load Times: AI crawlers have strict performance budgets

❌ Login Walls: Content behind authentication can't be crawled

Step 1: Check If AI Crawlers Can Reach You

ChatGPT Search uses OAI-SearchBot as its primary crawler, plus external indexes like Bing. If these crawlers can't access your site, you're invisible.

Verify robots.txt Configuration

❌ Blocking AI:

User-agent: OAI-SearchBot
Disallow: /

User-agent: GPTBot
Disallow: /

User-agent: bingbot
Disallow: /

✅ Allowing AI:

User-agent: OAI-SearchBot
Allow: /

User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /

User-agent: bingbot
Allow: /

Step 2: Fix Rendering Issues

AI crawlers have limited JavaScript execution. Use server-side rendering (SSR) or static site generation (SSG) for critical content.

Server-Side Rendering

Next.js, Nuxt.js, SvelteKit

Best for: Dynamic content

Static Generation

Next.js, Gatsby, Hugo

Best for: Content sites

Prerendering

Prerender.io, Rendertron

Best for: Quick fixes

Step 3: Improve Bing Indexing

ChatGPT Search uses Bing's index. Better Bing visibility = better ChatGPT visibility.

Bing Optimization Checklist:

✅ Submit to Bing Webmaster Tools

✅ Check Bing index coverage (site:yourdomain.com)

✅ Fix Bing-specific crawl errors

✅ Optimize for Bing rankings

✅ Use Bing URL Submission API

Step 4: Create Question-First Content

Structure content to answer natural questions with clear headings and concise answer blocks.

Optimal Content Structure:

1. Question as H1: "Why isn't ChatGPT showing my site?"

2. Direct Answer: First 100 words answer the question

3. Detailed Explanation: Break down with subheadings

4. Step-by-Step Solutions: Actionable checklist

5. FAQ Section: Related questions with schema

Step 5: Monitor AI Visibility

Track your progress with manual testing and AI visibility tools.

Monitoring Methods:

• Manual Testing: Ask ChatGPT questions your content answers

• Server Logs: Track OAI-SearchBot visits

• AI Tools: Monitor citation rate and share of voice

• Bing Webmaster: Check index coverage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Assuming Google rankings = ChatGPT visibility

❌ Blocking all bots with restrictive robots.txt

❌ Ignoring Bing optimization

❌ Using client-side only rendering

❌ Missing structured data markup

❌ Slow page load times

Ready to Get Your Site Indexed by ChatGPT?

Use Aeo.vc's multi-agent analysis to identify exactly why AI crawlers can't access your site and get a custom fix checklist.

Analyze My AI Crawler Access

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't ChatGPT showing my site?

ChatGPT Search uses its own crawlers (OAI-SearchBot) and external indexes like Bing, not Google's index. If your site blocks these crawlers in robots.txt, relies heavily on JavaScript rendering, has slow load times, or isn't indexed in Bing, it won't appear in ChatGPT answers even if it ranks well in Google.

Does ChatGPT use Google's index?

No. ChatGPT Search relies on its own crawlers (OAI-SearchBot) and non-Google indexes like Bing. Google rankings alone don't guarantee inclusion in ChatGPT Search results. You need to optimize specifically for AI crawler access and Bing indexing.

How long does it take to get indexed by ChatGPT?

It varies from days to weeks depending on crawl budget, technical setup, and authority—similar to classic SEO, but with younger, less mature crawlers. Most sites see initial indexing within 2-3 weeks after fixing technical barriers and improving Bing visibility.

Can I force ChatGPT to show my site?

You can't guarantee it, but you can maximize odds with strong technical SEO, AEO-friendly content, and by earning authority signals across the web. Focus on allowing OAI-SearchBot access, improving Bing rankings, and creating question-first content with clear answer blocks.

How do I check if OAI-SearchBot can crawl my site?

Check your robots.txt file for blocks on OAI-SearchBot or GPTBot user agents, inspect server logs for AI crawler visits, and use tools like Aeo.vc to analyze AI crawler accessibility. Also verify your site isn't blocking Bing crawlers, as ChatGPT uses Bing's index.