What technical changes improve how AI describes my business?
Allow the AI search crawlers in robots.txt, make sure your key facts are visible text without needing scripts, add structured data that matches the page, set a canonical URL, show a real byline and updated date, and keep an accurate sitemap. None guarantees a mention, but each removes a reason to be misread.
Which crawler rules matter?
Start with robots.txt. Allow the search crawlers: OAI-SearchBot (OpenAI), PerplexityBot (Perplexity) and Claude-SearchBot (Anthropic). Training crawlers such as GPTBot and ClaudeBot are separate; blocking them is a decision about training, not about search. Rules apply per subdomain. Changes take about a day.
Should the facts be visible text?
Yes. Google asks that important content be available in text, and that structured data match the visible text (Google). Put your name, what you do, where, hours and prices in the HTML a crawler receives, not only in images or content that appears after scripts run. Show a visible byline on articles.
What structured data helps?
Google recommends JSON-LD for structured data and requires that it be a true representation of the page and not mark up content readers cannot see (Google). Google also says no special schema is needed for AI features. So add Organization or LocalBusiness details, Article markup with author and dates on articles, and FAQ markup only where the questions are on the page.
What else is worth doing?
- A canonical URL on every page, so duplicates do not split attention.
- A sitemap with honest last-modified dates.
- A consistent business name, address and description across your profiles.
- Fast, stable pages that render the same for a crawler as for a person.
- Updated dates changed only when content changes.
In what order should I make the changes?
Do the cheapest, highest-impact items first. Fix robots.txt for the search crawlers, which usually takes minutes. Then check that your key facts appear in the page source, not only after scripts run. Then fix canonical URLs and sitemap dates. Add structured data last, once the visible text is right, because markup that repeats wrong text only repeats the error. After each change, record the date, so that when answers change you know what to credit. Make one change at a time where you can, and repeat your questions a week later.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need schema markup to be mentioned?
No. Google says no special schema is needed for its AI features, and plain visible text matters most.
Will fixing technical issues change answers right away?
Access changes are picked up in about a day; answers move more slowly. Compare over weeks.
Is a sitemap really important?
It helps crawlers find pages and updates, as long as the dates are real.
Can I do this myself?
Often yes for content; robots rules and markup need access to your site files or settings.