E-E-A-T for AI: Building Trust Signals for GEO

AI engines increasingly value content based on real experience. Share case studies with specific details and results. Describe processes you've actually executed. Include photos, videos, or documentation that proves hands-on experience. Avoid generic advice that could apply to anyone. The more specific and grounded in experience your content, the more AI trusts it as a citable source.

Credentials matter. Degrees, certifications, awards, and professional recognition all signal expertise. But so does content depth. Shallow, superficial content signals lack of expertise. Deep, nuanced analysis that addresses complexities signals true understanding. Use author bios to highlight credentials. Cite your own experience and data. Link to previous work that establishes your expertise in the topic.

Authoritativeness comes from outside validation. Media mentions, awards, and speaking engagements all contribute. Being cited by other authoritative sources signals that you're recognized in your field. Backlinks from respected websites, industry rankings, and positive reviews all build authority. For AI citations, having Wikipedia or Wikidata entries is a strong authority signal.

Be accurate. Cite sources for claims. Update content when information changes. Disclose affiliations and potential conflicts. Use HTTPS and secure your site. Display clear contact information. Show customer reviews honestly. Respond to negative feedback constructively. Trustworthy content acknowledges uncertainty and doesn't overclaim. Avoid sensationalism and clickbait.

Use Article schema with detailed Author information: { '@type': 'Article', 'author': { '@type': 'Person', 'name': 'Jane Doe', 'jobTitle': 'Senior SEO Analyst', 'knowsAbout': ['GEO', 'AEO', 'AI Search'], 'url': 'https://yoursite.com/about/jane', 'sameAs': ['https://linkedin.com/in/jane', 'https://twitter.com/jane'] } }. This schema explicitly signals expertise and helps AI verify author credentials.

YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content requires the highest E-E-A-T standards. Health, finance, and legal advice need verifiable credentials and citations. Product reviews benefit from hands-on experience demonstrated through photos and testing details. How-to content should show actual process documentation. Thought leadership pieces need to demonstrate expertise through depth and nuance, not just assertions.

Audit your top pages for E-E-A-T signals. Do you have author bios with credentials? Are sources cited? Is there evidence of first-hand experience? Are claims accurate and verifiable? Check competitor pages that rank well in AI answers—what E-E-A-T signals do they demonstrate? Use GeoAnalyzer to identify gaps. Prioritize improvements: add author bios first, then enhance content depth, then build external signals through PR and link building.