LLM SEO Implementation Roadmap

By Jay Griffin, Claude Sonnet 4.5*🔧 AI-Assisted - Jay's strategy research, Claude structured the roadmap·  January 29, 2026
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🏷️ Tags:seollmai-searchoptimizationdiscoverabilitycontent-strategyroadmap

A practical guide to optimizing your site for AI-powered search and LLM discoverability - actionable strategies for appearing in ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other LLM-generated responses

🎯 Overview

This roadmap covers actionable strategies for LLM SEO (aka LLMO, GEO) - optimizing your content to appear in AI-generated responses from ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and other LLM-powered tools.

Key Insight: LLMs don't just rank content like Google - they repeat what they've been told. Your job is to tell them the right things in the right format.

📋 Phase 1: Foundation & Discovery

1.1 Test Your Current LLM Presence

Priority: HIGH | Effort: LOW

Expected Outcome: Clear baseline + AI-generated recommendations specific to you

1.2 Audit Your Current Setup

Priority: HIGH | Effort: LOW

Expected Outcome: Understanding of current assets and blockers

📋 Phase 2: Core Implementation

2.1 Create /llms.txt File

Priority: HIGH | Effort: MEDIUM

The cornerstone of LLM discoverability. Place at root: yoursite.com/llms.txt

Structure:

.md
# [Your Name/Brand]

> [One-sentence description with key expertise areas]

[Optional 1-2 paragraph context about what you do, who you help, your approach]

## Core Resources

- [About page](URL): Brief description
- [Main blog/writing](URL): What topics you cover
- [Portfolio/work](URL): What you've built/done

## Expertise Areas

- [Topic deep-dive 1](URL): Why this matters
- [Topic deep-dive 2](URL): Why this matters

## Optional

- [Secondary resource](URL)
- [Less critical content](URL)

Your Implementation Checklist:

Pro Tips:

Expected Outcome: Structured, LLM-readable site summary

2.2 Create /for-llms Page

Priority: HIGH | Effort: MEDIUM

A dedicated markdown page that's comprehensive but scannable.

What to Include:

Writing Guidelines:

Your Implementation Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Comprehensive, LLM-friendly reference page

2.3 Add Markdown Versions of Key Pages

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: MEDIUM-HIGH

The spec recommends making markdown versions available at [url].md

Since you have TSX with MD fallback:

Priority Pages for MD Versions:

  1. About/Bio
  2. Main services/offerings
  3. Top blog posts
  4. Case studies/portfolio
  5. FAQ/resources

Expected Outcome: Clean, LLM-readable versions of key content

2.4 Implement Schema.org Structured Data

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: MEDIUM

Help LLMs understand your content with structured data.

Key Schema Types to Implement:

Implementation:

Resources:

Expected Outcome: Machine-readable structured data across site

📋 Phase 3: Content Optimization

3.1 Establish Consistent Brand Language

Priority: HIGH | Effort: LOW

LLMs learn associations through repetition.

Example:

Your Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Clear, consistent signal across all platforms

3.2 Optimize Existing Content

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: ONGOING

Make your best content more LLM-friendly.

For Each Key Blog Post/Article:

LLM-Friendly Writing Tips:

Your Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Content optimized for both humans and LLMs

3.3 Create LLM-Optimized Content Types

Priority: LOW-MEDIUM | Effort: ONGOING

Content formats that LLMs love to cite.

Consider Creating:

Expected Outcome: Citable, authoritative content in your niche

📋 Phase 4: Technical Implementation

4.1 RSS Feed Optimization

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: LOW

LLMs apparently love RSS feeds.

Expected Outcome: Clean, comprehensive RSS feed

4.2 Robots.txt Strategy

Priority: HIGH | Effort: LOW

Critical decision: block or allow AI crawlers?

Options:

  1. Allow everything - Maximum discoverability
  2. Block training, allow inference - Harder to implement technically
  3. Block everything - Maximum control, zero LLM presence

Common AI User-Agents:

Your Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Intentional crawler access policy

4.3 Sitemap for LLM Context

Priority: LOW | Effort: LOW

While not a replacement for llms.txt, sitemaps help.

Expected Outcome: Comprehensive site map

📋 Phase 5: Testing & Iteration

5.1 Initial Testing (Week 1-2)

Priority: HIGH | Effort: MEDIUM

After implementing core changes, test immediately.

Test Protocol:

Test Questions to Try:

Your Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Baseline data on LLM presence post-optimization

5.2 Ongoing Monitoring

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: LOW (ongoing)

Set up regular check-ins.

Monthly Tasks:

Quarterly Tasks:

Expected Outcome: Continuous improvement loop

📋 Phase 6: Traditional SEO (Because Google Still Matters)

6.1 Fix Your Name/Brand Discoverability Issue

Priority: CRITICAL | Effort: MEDIUM

If Google can't find you when someone searches your EXACT name, you have a fundamental SEO problem.

Diagnosis Checklist:

Common Causes:

  1. Site isn't indexed - Google doesn't know you exist
  2. Weak E-E-A-T signals - Google doesn't trust you're the "real" you
  3. Competitor/similar name has way more authority - They're drowning you out
  4. Technical SEO issues - Robots.txt blocking, no-index tags, poor site structure
  5. New domain - Hasn't built authority yet

Immediate Fixes:

A. Get Indexed (If You're Not)

B. Establish Name Authority

C. On-Page Name Optimization

D. Fight the Confusion

If there's a streamer/competitor with similar name:

Expected Outcome: Your site appears #1 for exact name searches within 2-4 weeks

6.2 Technical SEO Audit

Priority: HIGH | Effort: MEDIUM

The foundation has to be solid.

Core Technical Checks:

TSX-Specific Considerations: Since your site is TSX-based:

Tools:

Expected Outcome: No technical barriers preventing Google from crawling/indexing

6.3 On-Page SEO Fundamentals

Priority: HIGH | Effort: MEDIUM-HIGH

Every page needs optimization.

Homepage Checklist:

Blog Post Template:

About Page Checklist:

Expected Outcome: Every page optimized for both users and search engines

6.4 Content Strategy for SEO

Priority: MEDIUM-HIGH | Effort: ONGOING

Content is still king (even if LLMs are becoming princes).

Keyword Research:

Content Creation Priorities:

1. Pillar Content (High Priority) Comprehensive guides on core topics - aim for 2000+ words:

2. Cluster Content (Medium Priority) Supporting articles that link to pillars - 800-1500 words:

3. Current/Timely Content (Medium Priority) React to trends, news, or updates in your niche:

4. Evergreen Content (Ongoing) Content that stays relevant:

Content Calendar Template:

WeekContent TypeTopicTarget KeywordPriority
1Pillar......High
2Cluster......Med
3Current......Med
4Cluster......Med

Expected Outcome: Steady stream of optimized, valuable content

6.5 Backlink Strategy

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: HIGH (but ongoing)

Backlinks = votes of confidence. Google cares about this A LOT.

Quick Wins:

Medium-Term Strategies:

What NOT to Do:

Track Your Backlinks:

Expected Outcome: Gradual increase in domain authority and referral traffic

6.6 Local SEO (If Applicable)

Priority: LOW-MEDIUM | Effort: LOW

If you're a local business or want to rank for local searches:

Expected Outcome: Show up in "near me" and city-specific searches

6.7 Competitive Analysis

Priority: MEDIUM | Effort: MEDIUM

Learn from those outranking you.

Identify Competitors:

Analyze What They're Doing:

Your Action Items:

Expected Outcome: Strategic insights to inform your SEO approach

6.8 Monitoring & Analytics

Priority: HIGH | Effort: LOW (ongoing)

You can't improve what you don't measure.

Essential Setup:

Weekly Reviews:

Monthly Reviews:

Quarterly Reviews:

Expected Outcome: Data-driven optimization decisions

🎯 Quick Wins Checklist

LLM SEO Quick Wins

If you only have time for the essentials:

LLM SEO Time Investment: ~1 day of focused work

Traditional SEO Quick Wins

Critical if Google can't find your exact name:

EMERGENCY FIXES (Do These First):

HIGH IMPACT TASKS (Do These Week 1):

Traditional SEO Time Investment: ~2-3 days focused work

Combined Quick Start: Can be done over one focused weekend

📊 Success Metrics

LLM SEO Metrics

Track these to measure LLM impact:

Traditional SEO Metrics

Track these to measure Google impact:

Rankings:

Traffic:

Authority:

Engagement:

Goals by Timeline:

🔧 Tools & Resources

LLM SEO Tools

Traditional SEO Tools

Free & Essential:

Freemium/Paid (Worth It If Serious):

Pick Your Stack:

Reference Examples

Implementation Libraries

🚨 Common Pitfalls to Avoid

LLM SEO Pitfalls

  1. Over-optimizing for SEO keywords - LLMs care about clarity and context, not keyword density
  2. Marketing speak - "Revolutionary", "game-changing" = robot confusion
  3. Incomplete information - LLMs need full context to cite you accurately
  4. Inconsistent branding - Using different descriptions in different places
  5. Blocking crawlers then wondering why no LLM presence - Can't have both
  6. Forgetting to test - Assumptions ≠ reality, always test in incognito
  7. Setting and forgetting - LLM landscape evolves quickly, revisit quarterly

Traditional SEO Pitfalls

  1. Keyword stuffing - Writing for robots, not humans (Google hates this)
  2. Ignoring mobile - 60%+ of searches are mobile, mobile-first is mandatory
  3. Slow site speed - Users and Google both bounce on slow sites
  4. Thin content - 200-word blog posts won't rank, aim for 800+ minimum
  5. No internal linking - Help Google understand your site structure
  6. Duplicate content - Same content on multiple URLs confuses Google
  7. Ignoring Search Console - Free data goldmine you're not using
  8. No backlink strategy - Waiting for links to magically appear (they won't)
  9. Chasing algorithm updates - Focus on quality content, not gaming the system
  10. Buying links - Google will eventually catch you and penalize hard
  11. Forgetting about E-E-A-T - Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trust matter
  12. Not tracking metrics - Can't improve what you don't measure

Universal Pitfalls (Both)

  1. Impatience - SEO takes 3-6 months minimum to show results
  2. Inconsistency - Publishing sporadically won't build momentum
  3. Copying competitors - Differentiate, don't replicate
  4. Ignoring user intent - Write for what people actually want to know
  5. Over-complicating - Start simple, iterate based on data

📅 Implementation Timeline

Week 1: Emergency SEO + LLM Foundation

If Google can't find your name, START HERE:

Week 2: Core Optimization (Both SEO Types)

LLM:

Traditional:

Week 3-4: Content & Expansion

LLM:

Traditional:

Week 5-6: Testing & Iteration

LLM:

Traditional:

Month 2: Scale Content & Outreach

Month 3: Analyze & Refine

Ongoing: Maintenance & Growth

Weekly:

Monthly:

Quarterly:

🎓 Key Principles to Remember

LLM SEO Principles

  1. Clarity beats cleverness - Write for robots first, humans second (in these specific files)
  2. Consistency is king - Use the same phrases everywhere
  3. LLMs repeat, they don't rank - You're programming what they say about you
  4. Markdown is magic - LLMs love clean, structured text
  5. Test religiously - Your assumptions about how LLMs work are probably wrong
  6. Be specific - Vague descriptions = vague citations (or none at all)
  7. Think like a curator - You're organizing information for AI consumption

Traditional SEO Principles

  1. Content is still king - Quality, helpful content wins long-term
  2. Technical foundation matters - Fast, mobile-friendly, indexable sites rank
  3. User intent is everything - Answer the question people are really asking
  4. E-E-A-T wins - Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trust
  5. Backlinks = votes - Quality links from relevant sites boost authority
  6. Patience pays - SEO is a 6-12 month game, not a quick fix
  7. Consistency compounds - Regular publishing builds momentum
  8. Data drives decisions - Check Search Console, don't guess
  9. Mobile-first mandatory - Optimize for mobile or die
  10. Be human - Write for people, optimize for search engines second

Universal Principles (Both)

  1. Your audience first - Serve their needs, everything else follows
  2. Authenticity scales - Trying to game systems eventually fails
  3. Compound effects - Small consistent actions > big sporadic ones
  4. Differentiation matters - Say something unique or say it uniquely
  5. Measure and iterate - Test → Learn → Improve → Repeat

📝 Notes Section

Use this space to track your specific implementation:

My Brand Language

My SEO Targets

Branded Keywords:

Money Keywords (Top 5-10):

  1. [Primary keyword - highest priority]
  2. [Secondary keyword]

Current Rankings:

KeywordCurrent PositionTarget PositionDate Checked

My Test Queries

LLM Test Questions (where I should appear): 1. 2. 3.

Google Test Searches:

  1. "YourExactName" - Current position: ___
  2. [Primary keyword] - Current position: ___
  3. [Secondary keyword] - Current position: ___

Implementation Log

Backlink Tracker

DateSourceURLDomain AuthorityTypeNotes

Content Ideas & Pipeline

Pillar Content (Long-form guides):

Cluster Content (Supporting posts):

Quick Wins (Timely/trending):

Monthly Performance Tracking

Month 1:

Month 2:

Month 3:

Lessons Learned

Ideas & Future Tasks

LLM SEO:

Traditional SEO:

Content:

This roadmap is based on successful implementations by Cassidy Williams, the llms.txt specification, and battle-tested traditional SEO principles. Adapt to your specific needs and context.

Version: 2.0 (Added Traditional SEO)
Last Updated: January 29, 2026
Status: Living document - update as you learn