Grok on AI SEO Guide: How to Use Structured Data (Schema Markup) to Get Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini & Other AIs

Grok structured data schema info

After reviewing the ChatGPT output and Gemini output on this topic, here is what Grok came up with:

Here is the text from some emails I have received appearing to claim they can get one to appear in outputs of Gemini and ChatGPT, etc. I get so many of these types of emails promising about great results with new search engine tactics that will make the various AIs bring up CharlesWorks.
CharlesWorks is a small NH business operating since June 15, 1998, currently with web clients on four continents. We specialize in web and email hosting, website development, search engine optimization. We are long term BBB accredited and a Microsoft Partner.
CharlesWorks would benefit immensely if it were to come up in relevant AI topics. One of my web clients recently told me that he is contracting with an “SEO company” that claims they will be able to get him to come up in output from Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and others. I saved the material from what I believe are essentially spam messages in text format and only that I thought may be pertinent that I believe you should explore as well. I would appreciate your guidance on this topic:
——————–
You already know about ChatGPT.
You probably already know about Gemini as well.
But there is more to AI than just using it to create a blog post or an image.
​There are some surprising AI strategies you aren’t using that provide great growth. We can help you with those.
Cheers,
[name withheld]
PS: Here’s the best way to invest in branding.
PPS: 100 million views and $900 return. 🙁
——————–
So, check this out… everyone thinks of SEO as ranking on Google.
But at my ad agency, we’ve gotten 2 clients in the last 30 days from ChatGPT. That may not seem like a lot, but we don’t work with tons of companies… they tend to just be bigger in size.
When people ask ChatGPT (or Gemini) recommendations for ad agencies or marketers to hire, we pop up and people are hiring us.
How did we do this? Well, it’s similar to traditional SEO, but of course for AI. They use signals like brand mentions, authority, and relevance… just like how Google uses many of these signals to rank websites.
And as Google and Microsoft integrate more AI features into their search, it’s going to be more important for you to do SEO for AI.
If you are interested in ranking not just on Google but also at the top of results when AI is recommending a company, a product, or a service… click here to set up a call with us.
Cheers,
[name withheld]
——————–

Grok AI logo**These emails are classic sales pitches for “AI SEO,” “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO), or “AI Optimization” (AIO) services.** The core claim—that you can optimize to appear in recommendations from ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, etc.—has a kernel of truth, but it’s heavily overhyped, often repackaged traditional SEO, and frequently sold in a spammy way with vague promises.

### The Reality of “AI SEO” / GEO
AI models (especially those with web access like ChatGPT Search, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.) do pull from web content, citations, brand mentions, authority signals, and relevance—similar to how Google works. Getting recommended as a web hosting/SEO provider for relevant queries (e.g., “reliable web hosting New Hampshire” or “website development for small business”) is possible and valuable.

However:
– **It’s not new magic.** Most effective tactics boil down to strong traditional SEO + E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): high-quality content, structured data, brand mentions across the web, reviews, and authority. Good SEO already helps here.
– **Impact is still small but growing.** AI referral traffic is rising quickly (sometimes dramatically in retail/niche areas), but it’s a tiny fraction of total search traffic compared to Google. Conversions from AI can be higher, though.
– **Many pitches are overhyped or scammy.** There’s widespread criticism of agencies pushing “AI SEO” as a revolutionary new thing with guarantees, new acronyms, or proprietary tactics that mostly just rebrand standard work. Google’s own guidance emphasizes core SEO/E-E-A-T over gimmicks.

Your business (CharlesWorks, established 1998, BBB accredited, Microsoft Partner, serving international clients) already has solid foundational signals: longevity, accreditations, and real expertise. That’s exactly what helps with both Google and AI visibility.

### Practical Advice for CharlesWorks
Focus on **sustainable, high-ROI actions** rather than paying for vague “AI strategies.” As an SEO provider yourself, you’re well-positioned to implement these:

1. **Strengthen Core SEO & On-Site Optimization** (Biggest Lever)
– Create in-depth, helpful content: Case studies, client results (anonymized if needed), guides on web hosting, email, WordPress/development, SEO pitfalls, etc. Answer real questions clients ask.
– Use clear, conversational language with natural Q&A/FAQ sections.
– Structured data (Schema.org): Especially for LocalBusiness, FAQPage, HowTo, Article.
– Optimize for E-E-A-T: Author bios with credentials, clear company info, testimonials/reviews.

2. **Build Brand Mentions & Authority**
– Earned media: Guest posts, interviews, directory listings, industry forums.
– Encourage reviews on Google, BBB, etc. (AI models like signals of trust).
– Consistent mentions of “CharlesWorks” + location/services across your site, social, and third-party sites (Reddit, LinkedIn, etc.).

3. **Technical & AI-Friendly Setup**
– Fast, mobile-friendly site with good crawlability.
– Submit sitemaps to Google/Bing.
– Monitor for AI citations (tools exist, but they’re imperfect—track referral traffic instead).

4. **Local & Niche Focus**
– Lean into your New Hampshire roots and long history for queries where location or reliability matters.
– Target long-tail queries where small, established providers shine over big hosts.

**What to Watch Out For in Agencies:**
– Guarantees of specific AI appearances/citations (hard to measure reliably and control).
– High-pressure sales or “limited time” offers.
– Claims of secret tactics beyond strong content/authority.
– Repackaged basic SEO sold at premium “AI” prices.

Test any agency with a small project or clear KPIs (e.g., improved organic traffic, specific rankings, measurable brand mentions) rather than broad promises.

### Bottom Line
These emails highlight a real shift: AI is becoming another discovery channel. But the “surprising new strategies” are mostly refinements of what good SEO companies (like yours) should already do. Invest in **better content, authority building, and traditional optimization** first—you’ll see benefits across Google *and* AI. Your established business is an asset here; double down on demonstrating expertise publicly.

If you share your website URL or specific competitor examples, I can give more tailored suggestions. Avoid most cold outreach—vet any agency thoroughly.

I see a lot of mentions of structured data and various schema. Please give me some solid examples of how these would be applied in my https://charlesworks.com website.

**Structured data (Schema.org markup)** helps search engines and AI systems better understand your business, services, content, and location. It improves chances for rich results (like enhanced local listings, FAQ snippets, or service highlights) and provides clearer signals for AI recommendations.

**Recommended format: JSON-LD** (Google’s preference). Place it in a `<script type=”application/ld+json”>` tag in the `<head>` or before `</body>` of relevant pages. You can add it site-wide via your WordPress theme/footer or page-specifically.

### 1. Organization / LocalBusiness (Homepage + Site-Wide)
Use this on your homepage (`https://charlesworks.com/`). `LocalBusiness` is more specific and powerful for a company with a physical presence like yours. You can combine types.

“`html
<script type=”application/ld+json”>
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: [“Organization”, “LocalBusiness”],
“@id”: “https://charlesworks.com/#business”,
“name”: “CharlesWorks”,
“legalName”: “CharlesWorks LLC”,
“url”: “https://charlesworks.com/”,
“logo”: “https://charlesworks.com/wp-content/uploads/…your-logo-url…”,
“description”: “Veteran-founded web development, website hosting, email services, and SEO company established in June 1998, based in Peterborough, NH. Serving clients on four continents with personal, reliable service.”,
“foundingDate”: “1998-06-15”,
“founder”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Charles Oropallo”
},
“address”: {
“@type”: “PostalAddress”,
“streetAddress”: “305 Old Street Rd”,
“addressLocality”: “Peterborough”,
“addressRegion”: “NH”,
“postalCode”: “03458”,
“addressCountry”: “US”
},
“telephone”: “+1-603-924-9867”,
“email”: “We******@**********ks.com“,
“openingHoursSpecification”: [
{
“@type”: “OpeningHoursSpecification”,
“dayOfWeek”: [“Monday”, “Tuesday”, “Wednesday”, “Thursday”, “Friday”],
“opens”: “09:00”,
“closes”: “17:00”
}
],
“priceRange”: “$$”,
“areaServed”: [“United States”, “North America”, “International”],
“sameAs”: [
“https://www.linkedin.com/company/charlesworks-llc”,
“https://www.facebook.com/CharlesWorksLLC”,
“https://www.google.com/maps/place/CharlesWorks”
]
}
</script>
“`

**Tips**: Update the logo URL and exact street address (PO Box 128 is also listed in some places). Add more `sameAs` links for social profiles. This helps with local pack, knowledge panels, and AI understanding of your longevity and trustworthiness.

### 2. Service Pages (e.g., Web Hosting, Website Development, SEO)
On pages like `/website-hosting-services/`, `/website-development/`, and `/search-engine-optimization/`, mark up individual services. This helps AI and search engines recommend you for specific queries.

Example for Hosting page:

“`html
<script type=”application/ld+json”>
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “Service”,
“@id”: “https://charlesworks.com/website-hosting-services/#service”,
“serviceType”: “Web Hosting”,
“provider”: {
“@id”: “https://charlesworks.com/#business”
},
“name”: “Reliable Web Hosting with Personal Support”,
“description”: “Independent web hosting on our own Linux and Windows servers in Peterborough, NH. Includes free SSL, daily backups, no contracts, and US-based support since 1998.”,
“areaServed”: “United States”,
“hasOfferCatalog”: {
“@type”: “OfferCatalog”,
“name”: “Hosting Plans”,
“itemListElement”: [
{
“@type”: “Offer”,
“itemOffered”: {
“@type”: “Service”,
“name”: “Standard Hosting”
},
“price”: “19.99”,
“priceCurrency”: “USD”,
“priceSpecification”: {
“@type”: “PriceSpecification”,
“price”: “19.99”,
“priceCurrency”: “USD”,
“billingDuration”: “MONTH”
}
}
]
}
}
</script>
“`

Repeat/adapt for **Website Development** (`WebDesign` or `Service` with `serviceType: “Website Development”`), **SEO**, and **Email Services**.

### 3. FAQPage (Great for Visibility)
If you have a FAQ page (`/faq-frequently-asked-questions/`) or FAQ sections, use this:

“`html
<script type=”application/ld+json”>
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How long has CharlesWorks been in business?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Since June 15, 1998 – over 27 years as of 2026.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do you provide web hosting?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes, we operate our own servers in Peterborough, NH with daily backups, free SSL, and personal support.”
}
}
// Add more Q&A pairs
]
}
</script>
“`

### 4. Other Useful Types
– **Review / AggregateRating**: Add if you have testimonials or Google reviews. Link to your Google Business Profile.
– **Article** or **BlogPosting**: For any news/blog content.
– **BreadcrumbList**: Helps with navigation understanding.
– **Person** schema on your staff/about page for Charles and team.

### Implementation Tips for CharlesWorks
– **Start simple**: Add the **LocalBusiness/Organization** to the homepage first, then Services.
– **Validate**: Use Google’s [Rich Results Test](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results) and [Schema Markup Validator](https://validator.schema.org/).
– **WordPress**: Plugins like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or Schema Pro make this easier (they have templates for LocalBusiness, Services, FAQ).
– **Don’t overdo it**: Keep markup accurate—mismatches can hurt. One solid block per page is often enough.
– **AI/GEO benefit**: Clear, structured info about your 1998 founding, veteran-owned status, BBB accreditation, Microsoft Partner, and on-site US servers makes it easier for models to cite you accurately for relevant queries.

These changes, combined with your strong existing content (longevity, client focus, testimonials), will give both traditional search and AI systems better signals.

If you share a specific page (e.g., hosting or development) or current schema (view source), I can refine these further. Let me know how technical your team is—I can adjust the level of detail.

Very quickly, what would be a good title for an article containing this chat?

**Recommended Title:**

**”AI SEO Guide: How to Use Structured Data (Schema Markup) to Get Recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini & Other AIs”**

### Strong Alternatives:
– **”From AI SEO Spam to Smart Strategy: Implementing Schema for Better Visibility in ChatGPT and Google”**
– **”Structured Data for AI Success: Real-World Schema Examples for Web Hosting & SEO Companies”**
– **”How Established Businesses Can Rank in AI Answers – A Practical Schema Markup Guide”**

The first one is my top pick — it’s clear, keyword-rich, benefit-focused, and accurately reflects the conversation (AI SEO reality + actionable structured data examples).

Would you like variations tailored to a specific angle?

Gemini on Demystifying AI Search: Practical Schema Strategies for LLM Recommendations

Gemini structured data schema info

Following the ChatGPT take on my previous post is what Google’s Gemini came up with on the same topic using identical prompts. Google’s response to my prompt definitely felt more technical and complete, particularly regarding my follow-up question about schema:

Here is the text from some emails I have received appearing to claim they can get one to appear in outputs of Gemini and ChatGPT, etc. I get so many of these types of emails promising about great results with new search engine tactics that will make the various AIs bring up CharlesWorks.

CharlesWorks is a small NH business operating since June 15, 1998, currently with web clients on four continents. We specialize in web and email hosting, website development, search engine optimization. We are long term BBB accredited and a Microsoft Partner.

CharlesWorks would benefit immensely if it were to come up in relevant AI topics. One of my web clients recently told me that he is contracting with an “SEO company” that claims they will be able to get him to come up in output from Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and others. I saved the material from what I believe are essentially spam messages in text format and only that I thought may be pertinent that I believe you should explore as well. I would appreciate your guidance on this topic:

——————–

You already know about ChatGPT.

You probably already know about Gemini as well.

But there is more to AI than just using it to create a blog post or an image.

​There are some surprising AI strategies you aren’t using that provide great growth. We can help you with those.

Cheers,

[name withheld]

PS: Here’s the best way to invest in branding.
PPS: 100 million views and $900 return. 🙁

——————–

So, check this out… everyone thinks of SEO as ranking on Google.

But at my ad agency, we’ve gotten 2 clients in the last 30 days from ChatGPT. That may not seem like a lot, but we don’t work with tons of companies… they tend to just be bigger in size.

When people ask ChatGPT (or Gemini) recommendations for ad agencies or marketers to hire, we pop up and people are hiring us.

How did we do this? Well, it’s similar to traditional SEO, but of course for AI. They use signals like brand mentions, authority, and relevance… just like how Google uses many of these signals to rank websites.

And as Google and Microsoft integrate more AI features into their search, it’s going to be more important for you to do SEO for AI.

If you are interested in ranking not just on Google but also at the top of results when AI is recommending a company, a product, or a service… click here to set up a call with us.

Cheers,

[name withheld]


Gemini AI LogoThe cold emails you received are highlighting a major shift in the digital landscape. What those agencies are talking about is a real and rapidly growing discipline in digital marketing known as GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) or LLM SEO.

Because over 60% of digital search interactions now involve an AI-generated component, getting a business like CharlesWorks cited and recommended by Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity has become just as important as ranking on traditional Google search results.

The emails themselves are standard sales pitches, but the core concept they are selling is entirely valid. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to pay an expensive third-party agency to handle this. As an experienced web developer and SEO specialist, you already have the foundational skills needed to optimize CharlesWorks and your clients’ sites for AI search.

How AI Engines Decide Whom to Recommend

Large Language Models (LLMs) do not rank sites using traditional keyword density or standard backlink counts alone. Instead, they look for semantic clarity, explicit structure, and absolute authority. When an AI synthesizes an answer, it pulls from sources it considers the most trustworthy and easiest to parse.

The core signals that major AI platforms look for break down into a few specific areas:

AI Platform Primary Data Sources & Preferences
ChatGPT Search Deeply relies on Bing’s search index for live retrieval. It heavily favors high-tier digital PR, official brand mentions, and clear third-party validation.
Google Gemini Deeply tied to the Google Ecosystem. It prioritizes perfectly synchronized Google Business Profiles, hyper-local signals, and structured data embedded in your HTML.
Perplexity & Claude Favor highly structured, objective data, comprehensive “topic clusters,” and direct citations from authoritative industry directories.

Practical Action Plan for CharlesWorks

To ensure that AI engines recognize CharlesWorks as a trusted, long-standing New Hampshire web hosting and development authority, you can implement several direct strategies right now.

1. Optimize Technical Accessibility for AI Crawlers

AI models cannot recommend what they are not allowed to read.

  • Check your robots.txt: Ensure you are not accidentally blocking AI-specific user agents like GPTBot (OpenAI), ClaudeBot (Anthropic), or Google-Extended.

  • Leverage Structured Data: Use robust JSON-LD schema markup (Organization, LocalBusiness, and Service schemas) on your site. This explicitly tells the AI exactly who you are, what services you provide, and your service area without making the LLM “guess” based on raw text.

  • Consider an llms.txt file: This is an emerging standard in 2026. Placing a plain-text llms.txt file in your root directory provides a clean, easily digestible summary of your core business capabilities, specifically formatted for AI scrapers.

2. Format Content for “Extractability”

AI models love clear, modular data. When they quote or cite a source, they lean toward content that is easy to summarize.

  • The 40-to-60 Word Rule: When answering common client questions on your site (e.g., “What are the benefits of secure email hosting?”), place a direct, factual summary within the first 40 to 60 words right under the heading. AI engines frequently scrape these exact introductory sentences for their answer blocks.

  • Use Heavy Structure: Lean into clean semantic HTML, clear heading hierarchies, bulleted lists, and tables. If an AI wants to compare hosting providers, a clean Markdown or HTML table on your site makes it incredibly easy for the model to parse and pull your data.

3. Build Off-Page “Entity Authority”

LLMs treat your business as an “entity.” They cross-reference the web to see if your claims match what the rest of the digital world says about you.

  • Sync Local Ecosystems: Because Gemini relies heavily on Google’s local data, ensure your Google Business Profile is active, completely filled out, and completely matches the Name, Address, and Phone number listed on your website.

  • Capitalize on Authority Signals: Your long-term BBB accreditation and status as a Microsoft Partner are massive trust signals. Ensure these credentials are explicitly stated in plain text on your site (and wrapped in appropriate schema markup) so AI crawlers can link your entity to these trusted institutions.

  • Encourage Third-Party Reviews: Consistent reviews on Google, platforms like Clutch or G2, and local directories serve as major proof-of-authority signals that ChatGPT and Gemini scan when someone asks for “reliable web developers in NH.”

A Direct Response to Your Clients

When your web clients approach you about hiring outside “AI SEO” agencies, you can confidently tell them that you understand the shift toward Generative Engine Optimization and can build those exact technical structures directly into their existing web packages.

Many speculative agencies charge premium rates for basic schema deployment and text reformatting under the buzzword of “AI Optimization.” By adjusting your own SEO offerings to include structural data optimization, AI crawler management, and answer-focused content layouts, you can retain those clients and protect them from overpaying for spam-driven promises.

Would you find it helpful to look at a concrete example of JSON-LD schema markup tailored for CharlesWorks to see how to explicitly define your business entities for AI crawlers?

I see a lot of mentions of structured data and various schema. Please give me some solid examples of how these would be applied in my https://charlesworks.com website.

To give CharlesWorks the best possible visibility in AI engines like Gemini and ChatGPT, you want to use JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data).

AI models and search crawlers prefer JSON-LD because it groups all the vital data about your business into a clean, predictable, and structured script block. Instead of forcing an AI to scan and guess what your text means, this code explicitly hands the AI your business details on a silver platter.

For your website, https://charlesworks.com, three specific schemas will move the needle most: LocalBusiness, WebSite, and Service.

Here is exactly how these schemas work and the code you can implement.

1. The LocalBusiness Schema (Crucial for Gemini & Maps)

Because Gemini is heavily tied to the Google ecosystem, it uses local business data to answer queries like “Find a reliable web hosting provider in New Hampshire.” This schema links your physical/legal entity to your long-term trust indicators (like your BBB accreditation page) and your Microsoft Partner status.

Where to place it: In the <head> section of your homepage.

HTML

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "LocalBusiness",
  "name": "CharlesWorks",
  "url": "https://charlesworks.com",
  "logo": "https://charlesworks.com/images/logo.png", 
  "image": "https://charlesworks.com/images/storefront-or-office.jpg",
  "description": "CharlesWorks is a New Hampshire business specializing in web and email hosting, website development, and search engine optimization.",
  "telephone": "+1-603-XXX-XXXX", 
  "foundingDate": "1998-06-15",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "YOUR_STREET_ADDRESS",
    "addressLocality": "YOUR_CITY",
    "addressRegion": "NH",
    "postalCode": "YOUR_ZIP",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": 42.8712, 
    "longitude": -71.9501
  },
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.bbb.org/profile/your-bbb-link-here",
    "https://www.facebook.com/your-facebook-page",
    "https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-linkedin-page"
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Web Hosting",
    "Email Hosting",
    "Website Development",
    "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"
  ],
  "award": "Better Business Bureau Accredited, Microsoft Partner"
}
</script>

2. The WebSite Schema with Sitelinks Searchbox

This tells AI engines and traditional search bots the exact official name of your site and alerts them that you have an internal search mechanism. It helps ChatGPT and Gemini understand your core identity as a global authority operating from NH.

Where to place it: In the <head> section of your homepage.

HTML

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebSite",
  "name": "CharlesWorks",
  "url": "https://charlesworks.com/",
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "SearchAction",
    "target": "https://charlesworks.com/?s={search_term_string}",
    "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
  }
}
</script>

(Note: Change the target URL path if your WordPress or custom CMS uses a different query string than ?s= for internal searches.)

3. The Service Schema (For Specific Offerings)

When someone asks ChatGPT, “Who provides secure email hosting for small businesses?”, the AI looks for explicit Service data. By mapping out your services, you tell the AI exactly what you sell, who you sell it to, and where you offer it.

Where to place it: On your individual service pages (e.g., your hosting page, your SEO page, etc.), or bundled on your homepage.

Here is an example for your Web & Email Hosting service:

HTML

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Service",
  "serviceType": "Web and Email Hosting",
  "provider": {
    "@type": "LocalBusiness",
    "name": "CharlesWorks",
    "url": "https://charlesworks.com"
  },
  "areaServed": [
    {
      "@type": "Country",
      "name": "United States"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Continent",
      "name": "North America"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Continent",
      "name": "Europe"
    }
  ],
  "description": "Secure, high-uptime web and business email hosting solutions tailored for small businesses and global clients.",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "priceCurrency": "USD",
    "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
  }
}
</script>

How to Test and Deploy This on CharlesWorks

  1. Customize the Placeholders: Replace the generic placeholders (like phone numbers, addresses, image URLs, and social links) with your actual business data.

  2. Inject the Code: If your site is built on custom HTML/PHP, paste these scripts directly into your template headers. If you use WordPress, you can use an SEO plugin (like RankMath or Yoast) to configure this visually, or use a plugin like Header and Footer Scripts to drop the raw JSON-LD code in.

  3. Validate Your Work: Google provides a free, definitive validation tool called the Schema Markup Validator (and the Rich Results Test). Paste your URLs or raw code into it to ensure there are no syntax errors or missing commas.

Once Google and Bing re-crawl your updated code, AI search engines pulling from their indexes will immediately have a much clearer, structured map of CharlesWorks’ legacy, credentials, and capabilities.

Very quickly, what would be a good title for an article containing this chat?

Here are a few strong, concise title options for an article based on this conversation:

  • Optimizing for AI: How to Get Your Business Cited by Gemini and ChatGPT (Professional & Direct)

  • Beyond Traditional SEO: Unlocking Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) (Industry-focused)

  • How CharlesWorks and Small Businesses Can Win the AI Search Revolution (Personalized & Action-oriented)

  • Demystifying AI Search: Practical Schema Strategies for LLM Recommendations (Technical & Clear)

ChatGPT on How Structured Data and Schema Help AI Understand and Recommend Your Business

ChatGPT structured data schema info

Recently, there are many “SEO” companies out there pushing getting websites to come up in the various AI systems. The three posts here I made on this are the outputs from three systems.

I am a believer that most of the SEO world is just plain BS. To clarify, that’s what I believe it has evolved into. SEO has become like religion: everyone who belongs to one believes theirs is the true one. The reality is they can’t all be right.

But like most religious beliefs, there are similar strains, ie., commonality through most.

As I often try to do, I used the same prompts in my ChatGPT conversation, my Gemini conversation, and my Grok conversation. This one is the ChatGPT conversation.

Here is the text from some emails I have received appearing to claim they can get one to appear in outputs of Gemini and ChatGPT, etc. I get so many of these types of emails promising about great results with new search engine tactics that will make the various AIs bring up CharlesWorks.

CharlesWorks is a small NH business operating since June 15, 1998, currently with web clients on four continents. We specialize in web and email hosting, website development, search engine optimization. We are long term BBB accredited and a Microsoft Partner.

CharlesWorks would benefit immensely if it were to come up in relevant AI topics. One of my web clients recently told me that he is contracting with an “SEO company” that claims they will be able to get him to come up in output from Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and others. I saved the material from what I believe are essentially spam messages in text format and only that I thought may be pertinent that I believe you should explore as well. I would appreciate your guidance on this topic:

——————–

You already know about ChatGPT.

You probably already know about Gemini as well.

But there is more to AI than just using it to create a blog post or an image.

​There are some surprising AI strategies you aren’t using that provide great growth. We can help you with those.

Cheers,

[name withheld]

PS: Here’s the best way to invest in branding.
PPS: 100 million views and $900 return. 🙁

——————–

So, check this out… everyone thinks of SEO as ranking on Google.

But at my ad agency, we’ve gotten 2 clients in the last 30 days from ChatGPT. That may not seem like a lot, but we don’t work with tons of companies… they tend to just be bigger in size.

When people ask ChatGPT (or Gemini) recommendations for ad agencies or marketers to hire, we pop up and people are hiring us.

How did we do this? Well, it’s similar to traditional SEO, but of course for AI. They use signals like brand mentions, authority, and relevance… just like how Google uses many of these signals to rank websites.

And as Google and Microsoft integrate more AI features into their search, it’s going to be more important for you to do SEO for AI.

If you are interested in ranking not just on Google but also at the top of results when AI is recommending a company, a product, or a service… click here to set up a call with us.

Cheers,

[name withheld]


OpenAI ChatGPT LogoCharles, your instincts are probably pretty good on this. 😊

A lot of these emails are essentially the 2026 version of old-school “we’ll get you to #1 on Google” pitches. There is truth buried inside them, though. The important thing is separating legitimate strategy from marketing hype.

Here’s the reality as I see it.

AI systems like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Grok do sometimes recommend businesses. However, they generally do not work like old search engines where somebody can simply “submit” a site and magically rank.

Instead, these systems tend to pull from signals like:

  • Overall web authority
  • Brand mentions across the web
  • Consistent business identity
  • Reviews and reputation
  • Website clarity
  • Structured data/schema
  • Local business listings
  • Expert content
  • Citations from trusted sites
  • Public discussions mentioning the business
  • Existing search engine visibility
  • Sometimes direct web search integrations

So when one of these agencies says:

“They use signals like brand mentions, authority, and relevance…”

…that part is actually true.

Where the exaggeration comes in is implying they possess some secret AI-ranking trick. Most do not.

For a company like CharlesWorks, the good news is you already have several major advantages many newer companies do not:

  • Operating continuously since 1998
  • Long-term domain age
  • Existing global client base
  • BBB accreditation
  • Microsoft Partner status
  • Strong technical expertise
  • Real infrastructure ownership
  • Long history of published content
  • Established branding

Honestly, those are exactly the kinds of trust signals AI systems tend to favor.

The challenge is not that CharlesWorks lacks credibility.

The challenge is that AI systems need to understand:

  1. what CharlesWorks does,
  2. where it operates,
  3. why it is trustworthy,
  4. and when it should be recommended.

That is more of a “digital entity clarity” problem than a secret SEO hack problem.

Here’s what I would focus on instead of paying somebody promising magic AI rankings.


What Actually Helps AI Mention Your Business

1. Make Your Website Extremely Clear

AI systems reward clarity.

Your homepage should plainly state things like:

  • CharlesWorks is a New Hampshire web hosting and web development company.
  • Founded June 15, 1998.
  • Serves clients internationally.
  • Provides domains, hosting, SEO, WordPress development, and email hosting.
  • BBB accredited.
  • Microsoft Partner.

You already say many of these things, but consistency matters everywhere.


2. Publish More Expert Content

This is probably your biggest opportunity.

AI systems LOVE businesses that consistently publish useful expertise.

And you have a huge advantage:
you actually know this stuff from decades of real experience.

Topics you could dominate:

  • Real-world web hosting advice
  • WordPress troubleshooting
  • Email deliverability
  • DNS explanations
  • SEO myths
  • Small business web strategy
  • Linux hosting administration
  • SmarterMail migration stories
  • Cybersecurity lessons
  • Website scam warnings
  • “What I learned running a hosting company since 1998”

That kind of authentic content is incredibly hard to fake.


3. Build “Entity Authority”

This sounds fancy, but it basically means:
make the web consistently understand that CharlesWorks is a legitimate long-standing business.

That means:

  • Consistent NAP info (name/address/phone)
  • Better About page
  • Organization schema markup
  • Author pages for you
  • Mentions on business directories
  • More interviews/podcasts/articles
  • More citations from trusted sites

AI systems consume all that.


4. Structured Data Matters More Than Ever

Schema markup is increasingly important.

For example:

  • Organization schema
  • LocalBusiness schema
  • Person schema for you
  • Service schema
  • Review schema
  • FAQ schema

This helps machines interpret your site correctly.

A lot of small businesses still completely ignore this.


5. Reviews and Third-Party Mentions Matter

AI trusts third-party validation.

That means:

  • BBB
  • Google reviews
  • Facebook recommendations
  • Local articles
  • Industry mentions
  • Podcast appearances
  • Guest articles

Even a handful of strong mentions can help.


6. Geographic Relevance

For local recommendations especially, AI heavily leans on local search signals.

For example:
“best web hosting company in New Hampshire”
“WordPress help near Peterborough NH”
“small business SEO consultant NH”

Those matter.


7. AI Often Pulls From Search Engines Anyway

This is important.

Many AI recommendation systems still rely heavily on:

  • Google indexes
  • Bing indexes
  • Maps data
  • Review platforms
  • public web content

So classic SEO is still foundational.

The difference is:
AI rewards reputation and clarity more than old keyword stuffing tricks.


My Opinion On Those Emails

The second email is substantially more believable than the first one.

The first one is mostly vague marketing fluff.

The second at least correctly identifies:

  • brand mentions,
  • authority,
  • and relevance.

That said, I would still be cautious.

Some agencies are simply renaming traditional SEO as:

  • “AI SEO”
  • “Generative Engine Optimization”
  • “Answer Engine Optimization”
  • “LLM Optimization”

Some are legitimate.
Some are recycling old SEO tactics with shiny new vocabulary.


What I Think Would Work Best For CharlesWorks

If I were prioritizing effort, I would do this:

  1. Tighten homepage messaging
  2. Add strong schema markup
  3. Create a stronger “About CharlesWorks” page
  4. Create a dedicated “About Charles Oropallo” page
  5. Publish steady expert articles weekly
  6. Create FAQ-rich technical content
  7. Encourage more public reviews
  8. Build citations and mentions naturally
  9. Keep technical SEO solid
  10. Make sure Bing Webmaster Tools and Google Search Console are pristine

And honestly…

Your authentic history is a gigantic differentiator.

A lot of modern SEO agencies are staffed by people who have never actually run infrastructure, mail servers, DNS, hosting, or real-world web operations.

You have.

That depth tends to show through in content — and AI systems increasingly pick up on that expertise.

I see a lot of mentions of structured data and various schema. Please give me some solid examples of how these would be applied in my https://charlesworks.com website.

Absolutely. This is one area where a company like CharlesWorks can gain real advantage because most small business sites either:

  • have no schema at all,
  • have broken schema,
  • or only have whatever WordPress accidentally generated. 😄

Structured data is basically machine-readable context.
It helps Google, Bing, ChatGPT-style systems, and other crawlers understand:

  • who you are,
  • what you do,
  • where you operate,
  • how long you’ve existed,
  • who owns the business,
  • what services you provide,
  • and why you’re trustworthy.

Think of it as helping AI “connect the dots.”

What CharlesWorks Should Probably Have

For your type of business, I would strongly consider:

  • Organization schema
  • LocalBusiness schema
  • Person schema
  • Service schema
  • FAQ schema
  • Article schema
  • Review/Testimonial schema
  • Breadcrumb schema
  • Website/Search schema

Most of this would be JSON-LD inserted into page headers.


1. Organization Schema

This tells AI systems:
“This is a real established business.”

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "CharlesWorks LLC",
  "url": "https://charlesworks.com",
  "logo": "https://charlesworks.com/logo.png",
  "foundingDate": "1998-06-15",
  "founder": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Charles Oropallo"
  },
  "description": "CharlesWorks LLC provides web hosting, website development, SEO, WordPress services, and email hosting.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://facebook.com/CharlesWorks-LLC",
    "https://bsky.app/profile/charlesworks.bsky.social"
  ]
}
</script>

This is huge because it establishes:

  • longevity,
  • founder identity,
  • social connections,
  • business category,
  • and branding consistency.

2. LocalBusiness Schema

Even though you serve globally, local authority still matters.

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ProfessionalService",
  "name": "CharlesWorks LLC",
  "image": "https://charlesworks.com/logo.png",
  "url": "https://charlesworks.com",
  "telephone": "+1-603-924-9867",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressLocality": "Peterborough",
    "addressRegion": "NH",
    "postalCode": "03458",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "foundingDate": "1998-06-15",
  "areaServed": "Worldwide"
}
</script>

This helps for:

  • local SEO,
  • AI geographic recommendations,
  • map relevance,
  • and business legitimacy.

3. Person Schema (VERY Important for You)

You personally are part of the trust signal.

You have:

  • military background,
  • engineering experience,
  • decades in hosting,
  • education,
  • real-world operational experience.

That matters.

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Charles Oropallo",
  "url": "https://charlesworks.com/about-charles-oropallo/",
  "jobTitle": "Founder of CharlesWorks LLC",
  "worksFor": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "CharlesWorks LLC"
  },
  "alumniOf": [
    {
      "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
      "name": "Blackstone School of Law"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Web Hosting",
    "WordPress",
    "SEO",
    "DNS",
    "Linux Servers",
    "Email Hosting"
  ]
}
</script>

This helps establish expertise.

AI systems increasingly look for identifiable human expertise behind content.


4. Service Schema

This helps AI understand exactly what CharlesWorks provides.

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Service",
  "serviceType": "Web Hosting",
  "provider": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "CharlesWorks LLC"
  },
  "areaServed": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Worldwide"
  },
  "description": "Reliable web hosting services for businesses since 1998."
}
</script>

You could create separate schema blocks for:

  • Web Hosting
  • SEO
  • WordPress Development
  • Email Hosting
  • Website Design
  • Domain Registration

5. FAQ Schema

This one is massively underused.

If you have FAQ sections like:

  • “Do you support WordPress?”
  • “Can you migrate websites?”
  • “Do you provide email hosting?”
  • “Do you require contracts?”

…you can mark them up.

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How long has CharlesWorks been in business?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "CharlesWorks has operated since June 15, 1998."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Does CharlesWorks support WordPress?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Yes. CharlesWorks provides WordPress hosting, development, and troubleshooting services."
      }
    }
  ]
}
</script>

AI LOVES FAQ structure because it maps directly into question-answer models.


6. Article Schema

Every blog article should ideally have structured article markup.

Especially your:

  • technical articles,
  • hosting advice,
  • cybersecurity articles,
  • SEO discussions,
  • and tutorials.

Example:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "Why Reliable Email Hosting Still Matters",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Charles Oropallo"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "CharlesWorks LLC"
  },
  "datePublished": "2026-05-20",
  "mainEntityOfPage": "https://charlesworks.com/example-article/"
}
</script>

7. Review Schema

If you have testimonials, these can sometimes be marked up too.

Careful though:
Google became stricter about self-hosted review markup.

Still useful for machine understanding.


8. Breadcrumb Schema

Helps AI understand site structure.

Example:

Home > Services > Web Hosting

Machine-readable hierarchy matters.


What This Actually Does For AI

This does NOT mean:
“ChatGPT will suddenly recommend CharlesWorks tomorrow.”

But it DOES help systems understand:

  • CharlesWorks is real
  • CharlesWorks is established
  • CharlesWorks provides hosting
  • CharlesWorks has identifiable expertise
  • CharlesWorks serves globally
  • CharlesWorks is associated with specific services
  • Charles Oropallo is an actual expert/person

That cumulative understanding matters.


The Biggest Mistake Most Businesses Make

Most websites describe themselves like humans talking to humans.

AI systems need:

  • explicit relationships,
  • categories,
  • identities,
  • and structure.

Schema provides that structure.


WordPress Makes This Easier

If CharlesWorks runs WordPress, you can do much of this through:

  • Yoast SEO
  • Rank Math
  • Schema Pro
  • custom JSON-LD inserts
  • Divi theme integration
  • custom functions.php snippets

Honestly, though, manually tuned schema often performs better than generic plugin defaults.

Especially for a specialized business like yours.


One Very Important Point

Do NOT spam schema.

Google increasingly penalizes:

  • fake reviews,
  • misleading markup,
  • invisible content,
  • keyword stuffing inside schema,
  • fake organization claims.

Keep it factual and clean.

That tends to work best long term anyway.

Very quickly, what would be a good title for an article containing this chat?

How Structured Data and Schema Help AI Understand and Recommend Your Business