AEO Content Checklist

This checklist provides a quality gate for AEO-optimized content. Run through it before publishing any page targeting answer engine extraction.

🤖 AI SUMMARY

The AEO content checklist covers 7 categories with 35 checkpoints: answer block formatting, page structure, schema markup, voice optimization, content quality, technical accessibility, and extraction testing. Pages should score at least 28/35 before publication. Items marked with ⚡ are critical.

How to Use This Checklist

Score each item as pass (1) or fail (0). Target minimum 28/35. Items marked ⚡ are critical — failing any blocks publication.

1. Answer Block Formatting

• [ ] ⚡ First paragraph answers the question — Core answer within first 150 words
• [ ] ⚡ Answer is self-contained — Makes sense without surrounding context
• [ ] Answer is 40–60 words for definitions, up to 150 for explanations
• [ ] No unnecessary qualifiers — No "In this article, we'll explore..."
• [ ] AI summary block present — Blockquote with 2–3 sentence summary

2. Page Structure

• [ ] ⚡ H1 contains the target question or topic
• [ ] H2 headings for each major section
• [ ] One topic per page
• [ ] Tables for comparisons — Not prose descriptions
• [ ] Numbered lists for steps — Sequential instructions use ordered lists
• [ ] Bulleted lists for features/items — Non-sequential items

3. Schema Markup

• [ ] ⚡ Primary schema type implemented — TechArticle, FAQPage, or HowTo
• [ ] FAQ schema for Q&A pairs
• [ ] HowTo schema for tutorials
• [ ] Author and organization data
• [ ] Dates included — datePublished and dateModified

4. Voice Optimization

• [ ] Sentences under 20 words in the answer block
• [ ] No abbreviations without expansion
• [ ] No visual references — No "as shown below"
• [ ] Natural language — Reads like spoken English
• [ ] Speakable selectors defined if using speakable schema

5. Content Quality

• [ ] ⚡ Factually accurate — All claims verified
• [ ] Sources cited — Data attributed to verifiable sources
• [ ] Unique value — Original insights not available elsewhere
• [ ] No filler content — Every paragraph adds value
• [ ] Updated timestamp — Reflects most recent edit

6. Technical Accessibility

• [ ] ⚡ Not blocked by robots.txt — AI crawlers can access
• [ ] Clean HTML — Semantic elements
• [ ] Fast load time — Under 3 seconds
• [ ] Mobile responsive
• [ ] Listed in llms.txt

7. Extraction Testing

• [ ] ⚡ ChatGPT test — Content cited when asking target question
• [ ] Perplexity test — Citation and accuracy verified
• [ ] Google Featured Snippet — Position zero check
• [ ] Extraction accuracy — Answer correctly represents content
• [ ] Competitor comparison — Answer at least as clear as competitors

Scoring Summary

Category	Items	Critical
Answer Block	5	2
Page Structure	6	1
Schema Markup	5	1
Voice Optimization	5	0
Content Quality	5	1
Technical	5	1
Testing	5	1
Total	35	7

Score	Status	Action
32–35	Excellent	Publish and monitor
28–31	Good	Publish with minor fixes planned
21–27	Needs work	Fix critical issues first
Below 21	Not ready	Major restructuring required

FAQ

Do I need a perfect 35/35 score?

No. 28/35 is minimum viable quality. Focus on all 7 critical (⚡) items passing.

How often should I re-run on existing content?

Quarterly. Content quality degrades as information becomes outdated and AI systems evolve.