This guide demonstrates how AI language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini search and process web content to answer user queries. Using a real example of optimizing Webflow websites for LLM-powered search, it shows the systematic approach these models take to research, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
AI search represents a fundamental shift from traditional keyword-based SEO to semantic understanding and content synthesis. Unlike Google's link-based rankings, LLMs evaluate content quality, authority, and relevance to construct comprehensive answers from multiple sources.
This analysis walks through a complete LLM search process, revealing how these systems prioritize sources, extract insights, and combine information into structured responses.
Additional Resources:
LLM Search Terms Guide - Key terminology and concepts
Inside AEO Strategy - Answer Engine Optimization fundamentals
AEO AI Workflows - Practical implementation workflows
Topical Authority for SEO - Building content authority
Here is a walk through the process step by step with a specific query: “How do I rank my Webflow websites in LLM-powered search (like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)?”
Here’s how It’ll proceed:
Peformed searches using neutral phrasing to avoid assumptions:
“How to rank Webflow websites in LLM search”
“Optimize website for ChatGPT AI retrieval ranking”
The search tool returned a handful of relevant results, such as:
A detailed 2025 guide on LLM Search Optimization (also known as Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO), explaining how to make websites visible to AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google SGE, and others (m8l.com).
Business Insider coverage highlighting the rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) as a parallel to GEO—tailored for AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini (Business Insider).
A Webflow-specific article discussing Model Context Protocol (MCP) and how AI agents can access dynamic data from Webflow sites (Webflow).
A Reddit thread offering practical tips like using schema markup, writing conversationally, and structuring content for AI comprehension (Reddit).
Note here that LLM doesn't control what results are sent by the search tool that's still old school SEO.
Prioritize sources based on relevance to query and quality:
The 2025 LLM Optimization guide offers a comprehensive framework—high relevance.
The Business Insider article contextualizes the shift from SEO to AEO.
The Webflow blog adds platform-specific insights.
Reddit provides real-world practical advice.
Here’s what these sources reveal,
Focuses on optimizing content so LLMs can understand, retrieve, and cite it, emphasizing semantic clarity, structured data, and topical authority (m8l.com).
AEO centers on crafting content that answers clusters of questions in a conversational way, making it more likely to surface in AI responses. It's especially geared toward platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini (Business Insider).
Enables AI agents to access real-time Webflow site elements (like collections, CMS content) via APIs, giving you an edge in AI-generated answers (Webflow).
Practical guidance from users includes:
“Don’t write like a robot… use schema markup… be the expert… structure is key.” (Reddit)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): Design content in a conversational, Q&A style to match how AI chatbots process queries. Content that addresses multiple questions boosts visibility (Business Insider).
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): Use clear structure (headings, bullets), metadata, and semantic organization to help LLMs retrieve and cite your site reliably (m8l.com, Wikipedia).
Enable AI agents to query your live Webflow collections and dynamic data via Model Context Protocol (MCP). This allows AI systems to pull the most current and contextually rich content directly from your site (Webflow).
Use schema markup (FAQ, HowTo, product info) so AI bots can parse your content easily.
Avoid robotic phrasing; aim for natural language as LLMs mirror human training (Reddit).
Structure content with headings, bullets, and short paragraphs for clarity—both for users and for AI retrieval (Reddit).
Build content that demonstrates expertise—think original data, case studies, or unique frameworks.
Ensure your site is crawlable by AI: allow bots (e.g., OAI-SearchBot) in robots.txt, register your site with Bing Webmaster Tools, and get cited by authoritative publishers (m8l.com).
GEO/AEO strategies benefit from strong SEO foundations: fast loading, mobile optimization, backlinks, and clean technical architecture (Rock The Rankings).
This article demonstrates LLM search methodology through a practical example: optimizing Webflow sites for AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
The 5-step process reveals how LLMs:
Query strategically using neutral phrasing
Evaluate sources for relevance and authority
Prioritize content based on comprehensiveness and specificity
Extract insights from multiple authoritative sources
Synthesize findings into structured, actionable guidance with proper citations
Key findings: LLM optimization requires combining Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) for conversational content, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for structure, Webflow's Model Context Protocol for real-time data access, and traditional SEO foundations.
The research methodology shows LLMs systematically combine diverse sources—industry guides, business publications, platform documentation, and community insights—to create comprehensive answers that individual sources couldn't provide alone.
Uncover deep insights from employee feedback using advanced natural language processing.
Perfect if you’re just getting started with Flozi. You get full access to the editor, SEO features, and Notion-to-Webflow sync.
