How can your Squarespace website be found on AI?
Reading time: about 8 minutes
SEO isn’t dead. But things have changed. More and more people are no longer searching on Google; instead, they’re asking their questions directly to an AI like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. And that AI then provides an answer, including recommendations. The question is: are your name and your company included in those results?
This article explains how this works, what you can do about it, and how you can get started with your Squarespace website.
Table of Contents:
1. What is AIO, and why is it relevant to you?
AIO stands for AI Optimization, also known as AI Search Optimization. The goal is to ensure that your business or website is included in the answers provided by AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Why is that interesting? Because people are taking AI recommendations more and more seriously. ChatGPT understands the context of a person’s question much better than a search engine. If ChatGPT names you as the best coach in Amsterdam for entrepreneurs who are stuck, that carries a lot of weight. That’s different from a random ranking on Google.
Please note: You don’t build an AIO in isolation from SEO. You build it on top of it. The foundation is—and always will be—a website that’s easy to find.
2. How exactly does being found by AI work?
AI tools draw their information from multiple sources. ChatGPT uses Bing, among other sources. Gemini draws on Google. Claude uses a mix of training data and live search results.
What factors does AI consider when making recommendations?
Is your business listed on other websites? (backlinks and mentions)
Does your name appear in articles that list the best providers in a particular category? (so-called " listicles")
How well do you rank on Google and Bing?
What do reviews say about you?
Is the information on your website clear, reliable, and up-to-date?
In short: AI looks at what others say about you, not just what you say yourself. That is exactly why AI is a long-term endeavor and not a quick fix.
3. Step 1 - Choose a clear niche
The more specific, the better. That applies to Google, but even more so to AI. An AI searching for the best therapist in Rotterdam for people with burnout symptoms won’t mention your name if your website only says that you’re a coach and therapist.
What works:
Describe who you help, how, and where
Include this on your homepage, in your SEO title and/or description, and in alt text
Be consistent: use the same language and terminology throughout
Example: The best sourdough baker in Utrecht ranks higher than the best baker in the Netherlands. Smaller, more specific, clearer.
4. Step 2 - Build a strong foundation on Google and Bing
AI tools draw some of their information from search engines. So if you can’t be found on Google and Bing, it will be very difficult to be found by AI. SEO remains the foundation.
Specific action items:
Create an account on Google Search Console and upload your sitemap
Do the same in Bing Webmaster Tools
Ensure your website has a logical structure with clear headings, subheadings, and SEO descriptions
Upload a new sitemap after making major changes to your website
Keep working on your SEO, because a high ranking on Google will also help you with AI. SEOSpace, the go-to SEO plugin for Squarespace, can help you with this.
5. Step 3 - Collect reviews and mentions
AI tools don't have personal experiences of their own. They rely on what others write about you. Reviews, mentions, and so-called " listicles " play a major role in this.
Collect reviews
Make sure you have a Google Business Profile and actively collect reviews there
You might also want to consider Bing Places, Trustpilot, or other relevant platforms in your industry
Display reviews on your website, preferably highlighting specific results that customers have achieved
Mentions in listicles
Listicles are articles like "The 10 Best Coaches in Rotterdam " or " The Most Affordable Therapists in Utrecht." If your name appears in one of these, the AI will factor that into its recommendations.
How do you end up in articles like that?
Search Google for listicles in your niche (search for "best [your profession] in [city]")
Contact the author of the article and ask if you can be mentioned
Make sure you have a clear and professional pitch when you reach out
Building backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. The more reputable websites that link to you, the greater your authority in the eyes of both Google and AI. You can build this by creating valuable content, collaborating with other business owners, or writing guest posts.
6. Step 4 - Write valuable content
You can’t get away with just quickly churning out an SEO article crammed with keywords anymore. AI recognizes this kind of content. What does work is E.E.A.T.: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
In practice, this means:
Write articles based on real knowledge and experience
Share specific examples, results, or insights
Show that you're the expert in your field
Update your website regularly; an active website carries more weight than one that hasn't been touched in years
Tip: Ask an AI what it looks for when searching for the best [your profession] in your industry. This will give you a good idea of what topics are relevant to write about.
7. Step 5 - Optimize your Squarespace website
Squarespace offers a number of built-in features that are directly relevant to AIO. Here’s what you can do specifically:
SEO/AI Visibility (Beacon AI)
In the Squarespace menu, you'll find an SEO/AI Visibility option, also known as Beacon AI. Here, you can see which alt tags are missing from your images and set up prompts to check how your website scores in ChatGPT. Do this regularly to track your progress.
Crawler settings
Make sure AI bots can crawl your website. This feature is enabled by default in Squarespace. Check it under: Settings > Website > Crawlers. Want to be absolutely sure? Test it at technicalseo.com/tools/ai-bot-access.
Clear heading structure
Make sure your pages have a logical structure with clear headings (H1, H2, H3, and H4, in that order). AI tools read your page as a document and benefit from a clear structure.
8. Common Mistakes
Here are the things you should avoid:
Thinking that AIO is a quick fix. It’s a long-term effort, just like SEO.
Optimizing your website once and then doing nothing else. An active website performs better.
Waiting for others to write about you. Take the initiative and get started.
Keeping your niche too broad.
Don't forget to upload your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools after a major update to your website. Or when you've published a new blog post.
Block AI bots. Check this if you've ever changed this setting.
Thinking that reviews don't matter. In fact, this is very important input for AI.
9. Conclusion
Being found by AI is incredibly important. And the good news is: if you’re already putting a lot of effort into SEO and have a Squarespace website that’s easy to find, you’re already on the right track.
The steps are straightforward: choose a clear niche, establish a strong foundation on Google and Bing, collect reviews and mentions, write valuable content, and optimize your website. Do this consistently, and you’ll build a solid online presence, both in search engines and in AI.
SEOSpace, the SEO plugin for Squarespace, can help you with this.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
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SEO focuses on visibility in search engines like Google. AIO focuses on visibility in AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. You build AIO on top of a solid SEO foundation.
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Just like with SEO, this is a long-term process. Don’t expect results within a week. With consistent effort, you’ll start to see the first results after a few months.
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Absolutely. In fact, as a small business, specializing in a specific niche actually gives you an advantage. It’s easier to be the best therapist for entrepreneurs in Groningen than the best therapist in the Netherlands.
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Yes. Squarespace has built-in SEO features. With the right strategy, you can go a long way with Squarespace. Also check out SEOSpace, the SEO plugin for Squarespace.
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Go to Settings (gear icon) > Website > Crawlers in Squarespace.
Or test it at technicalseo.com/tools/ai-bot-access. Is it turned on? Then you're all set. -
Listicles are articles like "The 10 Best Coaches in Amsterdam." If your name appears in one, it increases the likelihood that AI will recommend you. Actively look for such articles and reach out to the author to be included.
