LLM Optimization: Is Your Content Ready for AI Consumption?

We all know how traditional SEO works. You write good content, build authority, get some backlinks, and hope to rank on Google. But what happens when people stop searching and start asking?

Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini aren’t just giving people facts, they’re giving them names. Recommendations. Shortlists. And sometimes… that list might include you.

Or not.

That’s where LLM Optimization comes in. It’s not a buzzword (okay, maybe a little). But it's pointing to a shift in how visibility works online. And I wanted to understand it better, so I ran a simple test.

TL;DR

• LLM Optimization (LLMO) is about ensuring your name, brand, or content is recognized by AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
  
  

• Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on search engine rankings, LLMO emphasizes being included in AI-generated responses.
  
  

• Key factors include consistent online presence, frequent mentions across platforms, and clear, context-rich content.
  
  

• Think of LLMO as building your digital reputation for AI recognition.
  

LLM stands for Large Language Model. Think of it as a really, really smart autocomplete. It was trained on a huge chunk of the internet and spits out answers based on patterns and context.

And LLMO? It’s the emerging idea that we can optimize for these models, just like we do with Google.

Some call it LLM SEO. Some just think it’s SEO rebranded. I say it’s both, and it's changing the way people discover brands, experts, and services.

What is LLM Optimization?

GEO vs. LLMO: What’s the Real Difference?

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and LLMO might seem interchangeable but there are nuanced differences worth understanding:

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)

• Focuses on optimizing content for generative outputs from search (e.g., SGE)

• Content-heavy: structured for snippets, citations, and featured answers

• SEO-adjacent and often includes schema markup, NLP-friendly formatting

• Works in tandem with real-time indexing

LLMO (LLM Optimization)

• Focuses on optimizing entities and names for inclusion in conversational AI answers

• Entity-heavy: focused on recognition, consistency, and relevance in training data

• Less about structure, more about semantic association and historical footprint

• Works off pretrained snapshots, so timing and consistency are critical

TL;DR: GEO gets your content cited. LLMO gets you remembered.

The Experiment: Who Does ChatGPT Recommend?

I asked ChatGPT to help me hire.

Here’s what I typed:

“Hey, I'm a small business owner looking to hire an offshore SEO specialist. I'm scouting talents in the Philippines. Can you pull up the profiles of the best SEO specialists in PH?”

I ran this prompt twice:

• Once using a Philippine IP address

• Once using a US-based VPN
  

The idea was to see if location mattered, and more importantly.. who shows up?

Here are the results.

Using a PH IP Address:

Using a US VPN:

Only Cyrel appeared on both lists.

That raised a few questions:

• What made Cyrel stand out?

• Was it just because of experience?

• Or is there more to how LLMs “rank” people?
  
  

Let’s unpack it.

Deep Dive: Domain Age = LLM Authority?

To dig deeper, I checked domain data for each specialist. One thing stood out fast: domain age.

Cyrel’s domain was the oldest by far.

More time online = more chances to appear in AI training data.

Traditional LLMs aren’t browsing the live web. They rely on snapshots taken at specific times during training. The longer your content has been live, and the more places it shows up, the more likely it’s been included in what the model “knows.”

But It’s Not Just Domain Age

Let me be clear: domain age helps, but it’s not everything. If it were, every outdated blog from 2009 would show up.

Here’s what actually helps you get remembered by an LLM - what they call the RAPP formula (Relevance, Authenticity, Presence, Persistence):

1. Entity Consistency

Your name, job title, bio, and domain need to line up across your site, LinkedIn, directories, and mentions. This makes it easier for LLMs to associate you with what you do.

2. Mention Frequency

Have you been featured on podcasts, blogs, or roundup posts? These build your digital footprint and increase the chances of showing up in the model’s training data.

3. Prompt Relevance

LLMs respond to natural language. If you’re often mentioned in content like “best SEO consultants” or “freelance marketing experts,” it boosts your matchability to similar prompts.

4. Content Clarity

Your site should clearly explain who you are, what you do, and who you help. The clearer your positioning, the easier it is to show up as a relevant answer.

5. Semantic Strength

It’s not just about keywords anymore. It’s about context. LLMs look at the relationship between your name and phrases like “SEO Philippines,” “technical audit,” or “local search.”

Each of these ties back to a pillar of RAPP - a framework to help you remember what actually matters in LLM Optimization.

What You Can Do Today

If you’re trying to build visibility in the AI-driven future of search, here’s a simple action plan:

1. Get Your Own Domain (and Start Early)

Don’t rely on platforms alone. A domain in your name builds long-term credibility—and now we know it also increases your chances of showing up in LLMs.

2. Write for People, But Think Like a Prompt

Use phrasing your target audience might type or speak. For example:

• “Best SEO freelancers in Southeast Asia”

• “Affordable technical SEO services for startups”

These help you align with real-world prompts LLMs respond to.

3. Get Referenced on Trusted Platforms

Guest blogs, roundup features, and being cited by other professionals all help. LLMs pick up on patterns of trust and reputation.

4. Audit Your Online Presence

Check your bios, job titles, and descriptions across all platforms. Are they saying the same thing? Consistency matters.

5. Try Prompt Testing

Ask ChatGPT questions that your ideal client might ask. See what names pop up. If you’re not in the list, dig into why. Reverse-engineer what others are doing better.

Final Thoughts: Search Visibility in the Age of AI

Drumroll starts.. SEO isn’t dead. But it’s growing up.

Now, it’s not just about ranking in Google. It’s about being recognized in AI-generated conversations. LLMO is about becoming part of the language that people (and machines) use when they’re looking for help.

What my ChatGPT prompt showed me is this: people and brands who’ve built a clear, consistent presence over time are more likely to be remembered, by users and by machines.

So start now. Claim your space. Share what you know.