How to Make Your Content LLM-Friendly

LLMs process content differently than Google's crawlers. The optimization techniques that work for traditional SEO don't always translate.

Understanding how LLMs actually work with content helps you create stuff they can understand, cite, and recommend.

How LLMs actually process your content

LLMs don't rank pages in a list. They do something more complex:

1. They understand what the user is asking
2. They retrieve relevant information (from training data or web search)
3. They synthesize a response from multiple sources
4. They decide what to cite or recommend

Your goal: make your content easy to understand, retrieve, and cite.

This is less about gaming an algorithm and more about being genuinely useful in a way AI can recognize.

Answer questions directly (seriously, directly)

LLMs look for content that actually answers what users ask. This sounds obvious, but look at how much content dances around the point.

What doesn't work

"At Acme Corp, we've been in business since 1985, providing world-class solutions to our valued customers. Our innovative approach has transformed the industry..."

This tells the LLM nothing useful about any specific question.

What does work

"The best CRM for consultants is one that handles both client relationships and project tracking. Top options include [specific recommendations with reasons]..."

This directly answers "what's the best CRM for consultants?" An LLM can cite this.

How to implement this

• Start sections with the answer, then explain why
• Use headings that match what people actually ask
• Include FAQ sections with direct Q&A
• Cut the corporate fluff that says nothing

Structure content for easy extraction

LLMs extract information from your content to build their responses. Make extraction easy.

Use clear, descriptive headings

Not useful: "A New Way Forward"
Useful: "How to Improve Your Email Deliverability"

The second heading tells the LLM exactly what this section covers. If someone asks about email deliverability, the LLM knows this section might help.

Format lists as lists

When information is naturally list-like, format it that way:

Don't write: "There are several factors to consider, including price, which varies widely, and features, which depend on your needs, and also integration options, which may or may not matter to you."

Do write:

• Price: Varies from free to $300+/user/month
• Features: Match to your actual workflow needs
• Integrations: Critical if you use other tools daily

LLMs can easily extract and cite structured lists.

Use tables for comparisons

Tables make comparative information crystal clear for AI extraction.

Create distinct sections

Each section should cover one topic completely. Don't scatter related information across the page where the LLM has to piece it together.

Add summaries

TL;DR or summary sections help LLMs extract key points:

Quick answer: The key factors for email deliverability are authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), list hygiene, and engagement metrics.

This gives the LLM a ready-made response it can use or cite.

Go comprehensive (thin content fails)

LLMs prefer citing comprehensive sources over thin content. Depth signals authority.

Cover the full topic

Don't just scratch the surface. For topics you want to rank for:

• Explain what it is
• Explain why it matters
• Explain how to actually do it
• Address common questions and objections
• Discuss edge cases and exceptions

Provide context

Help readers (and LLMs) understand where this topic fits:

• How does this relate to adjacent topics?
• What background is helpful?
• What are the prerequisites?

Include specifics

Vague content doesn't get cited. Include:

• Specific numbers and data
• Concrete examples
• Step-by-step processes
• Named tools or approaches

"Use a good CRM" is useless. "Use a CRM like Notion, Airtable, or HubSpot Free depending on your team size and workflow complexity" is citable.

Demonstrate authority (LLMs need to trust you)

LLMs cite sources they trust. That trust comes from authority signals.

Show your expertise

• Include author credentials where relevant
• Reference real experience and track record
• Cite sources for claims you make

Provide evidence

• Support claims with actual data
• Link to supporting sources
• Acknowledge limitations and caveats honestly

Stay balanced

LLMs (especially Claude) value nuance:

• Present multiple perspectives when they exist
• Acknowledge trade-offs
• Don't oversell or use excessive hype

"Our product is the best and everyone should use it" sounds promotional and untrustworthy. "Our product works well for X use case because Y, though it's less suited for Z" sounds credible and authoritative.

Keep content fresh

For LLMs that search in real-time, freshness matters.

• Review key content quarterly
• Add publish and update dates
• Remove information that's no longer accurate
• Reference recent developments
• Update statistics and data regularly

Outdated content with old information gets passed over for fresher sources.

Write naturally (not robotically)

LLMs understand semantics, not keyword density.

Don't keyword stuff

Bad: "Our CRM software is the best CRM for CRM users who need CRM functionality and CRM features in their CRM platform..."

Good: "Our platform helps sales teams manage customer relationships and close more deals."

The second one actually communicates. The first sounds like spam.

Write for humans first

Content that reads well to humans generally works well for LLMs. If it sounds robotic or unnatural, rewrite it.

Use clear language

• Avoid unnecessary jargon
• Explain technical terms when you use them
• Keep sentences readable

Quick optimization checklist

For each piece of content:

Structure

• Clear, descriptive headings that match what people search
• Bulleted lists for list-like information
• Tables for comparisons
• Summary/TL;DR section

Content

• Direct answers to target questions
• Comprehensive coverage of the topic
• Specific examples and data
• Evidence for claims

Quality

• Natural, readable language
• Up-to-date information
• Balanced perspective
• Clear authority signals

Before and after example

Before

"We provide innovative solutions for modern businesses. Our platform leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver results. Contact us to learn more."

An LLM can do nothing with this. It answers no questions and provides no citable information.

After

"Our CRM helps consulting firms manage client relationships and track projects in one place.

Key features:

• Client contact management with relationship history
• Project tracking with time logging
• Invoice generation from tracked time
• Client portal for document sharing

Best for: Solo consultants and small consulting firms (1-10 people) who need to track both relationships and projects without enterprise complexity."

Now an LLM can answer "What CRM should a consultant use?" with specific, citable information.

Content types that work well for LLMs

Definitive guides: Comprehensive resources that cover a topic completely.

Comparison content: "X vs Y" with structured, honest comparison.

How-to guides: Step-by-step instructions for specific tasks.

FAQ content: Direct answers to common questions.

Original research: Data and insights that others cite because they can't get them elsewhere.

What to do next

1. Audit your existing content against these principles
2. Prioritize optimization for your highest-value pages
3. Create new content with LLM optimization in mind from the start
4. Track AI visibility to measure whether your changes are working
5. Iterate based on what you learn

Use Mentionable to track whether your optimization efforts are actually improving AI visibility. Connect content changes to visibility changes so you know what's working.