10 Signs Your Internal Linking is Killing Your SEO
Internal linking is foundational for GEO success. Learn how to diagnose and fix problems.
Google is no longer the only search engine that matters. ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude are answering questions directly. If you're not optimizing for these AI engines, you're invisible to the next generation of search.
Enter GEO: Generative Engine Optimization. It's the art of making your content AI-friendly so that when someone asks ChatGPT for a recommendation, your brand shows up in the response.
The good news? Most sites haven't started. You can get ahead of the curve now. Here's your complete checklist.
The 20-Item GEO Checklist by Category
Print this out. Check off each item as you optimize your pages. Focus on your highest-traffic pages first.
Category 1: Page Structure
AI engines need well-structured content to understand and cite your pages.
1. Clear, Descriptive Title (H1)
What it is: Your H1 should state the main topic clearly. "Internal Linking: The Complete Guide" not "Linking 101."
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines extract the main topic from your H1. Make it impossible to misunderstand.
2. Logical Heading Hierarchy
What it is: H1 → H2 → H3 structure. Don't skip levels. Don't have multiple H1s.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines parse your structure to understand content relationships and context.
3. Short, Scannable Paragraphs
What it is: 2-3 sentences max. Wall of text = AI will skip it.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines prefer content that's easy to extract answers from.
4. Bulleted or Numbered Lists
What it is: Use lists for steps, items, examples.
Why it matters for GEO: Lists are extractable. AI engines love pulling list items directly into responses.
5. One Main Idea Per Section
What it is: Each H2 introduces one main idea. All content under it supports that idea.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines extract sections as standalone answers. Make each section self-contained.
Category 2: Content Clarity
Clear, direct content gets cited. Vague content gets ignored.
6. Direct Answers Upfront
What it is: Answer the question in the first paragraph. Don't bury the lede.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines scan for direct answers. Featured snippet style content wins.
7. Define Technical Terms
What it is: When you first mention a technical term, define it. "Internal linking (links between pages on your site)..."
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines build understanding from definitions. Help them learn your terminology.
8. Include Specific Examples
What it is: Don't just say "do this." Say "do this. For example, [specific example]."
Why it matters for GEO: Examples are quotable. AI engines pull them into responses to illustrate points.
9. Use Concrete Numbers and Data
What it is: "50% of sites" not "many sites." "3 steps" not "a few steps."
Why it matters for GEO: Numbers are specific and extractable. AI engines prefer them over vague claims.
10. Clear Call-to-Action
What it is: Tell readers what to do next. "Download the checklist," "Read the full guide."
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines notice CTAs and may include them in responses as "helpful next steps."
Free Download
This checklist is designed to be printed and checked off by hand. Grab the printable PDF version with all 20 items.
Download the GEO Checklist →Free • Printable • Checkbox format
Category 3: Schema Markup
Schema markup is your language for communicating with AI engines.
11. Article Schema
What it is: JSON-LD markup telling AI engines "this is a blog post/article."
Why it matters for GEO: Helps AI understand content type, author, publish date, headline.
12. FAQ Schema
What it is: Markup for Q&A sections. Explicitly marks questions and answers.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines pull FAQ pairs directly into responses. High-impact optimization.
13. HowTo Schema
What it is: Markup for tutorials and how-to guides. Marks steps, tools, time required.
Why it matters for GEO: When someone asks "how do I...", AI engines look for HowTo schema.
14. Review/Rating Schema
What it is: Markup for product reviews, ratings, scores.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines extract ratings for comparison queries. "Best X for Y" queries love this schema.
15. Organization Schema
What it is: Markup on main pages defining your org (name, logo, URL, social profiles).
Why it matters for GEO: Establishes entity identity. AI engines need to know who you are to cite you.
Category 4: Entity Signals
AI engines need to trust your content before citing it. Build credibility signals.
16. Author Name + Bio Linked to Profile
What it is: Every page has an author. Name links to author bio or profile page.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines track entities (people, orgs). Linked author profiles build entity authority.
17. Publication Date Visible
What it is: Show when content was published. "Published January 15, 2026."
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines prefer fresh content for rapidly-changing topics.
18. Last Updated Date Shown
What it is: "Updated January 26, 2026" shows content is current.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines filter outdated content. Show yours is maintained.
19. Cite Sources with Links
What it is: When you reference data, studies, or quotes, link to the original source.
Why it matters for GEO: Builds trust. AI engines check citations before citing your content.
20. Link to Related Content
What it is: Every page links to 2-3 related pages on your site.
Why it matters for GEO: Shows topical depth. AI engines see you're not just one page—you're a resource on this topic.
Category 5: AI-Specific Optimizations (Bonus)
These are GEO-specific optimizations that go beyond traditional SEO.
Bonus 1. Natural Language Matches How People Ask Questions
What it is: Write conversationally. "How do I build internal links?" not "Internal linking implementation strategies."
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines are trained on conversational queries. Match that style.
Bonus 2. Conversational Tone Where Appropriate
What it is: You're talking to a human, not a search algorithm. Use "you," "we," contractions.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines generate conversational responses. Match that tone to get quoted.
Bonus 3. Direct Answers in First Paragraph
What it is: Featured snippet optimization. Give a complete answer immediately.
Why it matters for GEO: When someone asks a question, AI engines look for direct answers to quote. Put yours first.
Bonus 4. Summary Sections for Complex Topics
What it is: Long post? Add a "Key Takeaways" summary at the top.
Why it matters for GEO: AI engines often pull summaries into responses. Make it easy for them.
Bonus 5. "What Is..." Sections Defining Key Terms
What it is: Dedicate sections to defining concepts. "What is Internal Linking?"
Why it matters for GEO: When AI engines explain concepts, they pull from these definition sections.
Implementation Strategy
Don't try to optimize your entire site at once. Here's the prioritization approach:
1. Start with High-Traffic Pages
Check your analytics. Which 10 pages get the most search traffic? Optimize those first. You get maximum ROI from GEO optimization on pages already ranking.
2. Test Your GEO Changes
After optimizing a page, ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini questions your page should answer. Does your page show up in their responses? If not, iterate.
3. Tools for Validation
- Schema markup validator: Google's Rich Results Test
- Content structure: Read your page aloud. Does it flow naturally?
- Entity signals: Google your brand name. Do AI engines know who you are?
4. Timeline: What to Optimize First
- Week 1: Add schema markup to top 10 pages (highest ROI)
- Week 2: Fix page structure (H1, H2, paragraphs, lists)
- Week 3: Improve content clarity (direct answers, examples, data)
- Week 4: Strengthen entity signals (author bios, dates, citations)
Common GEO Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Writing for Bots, Not Humans
The mistake: Stuffing keywords, awkward phrasing, trying to "trick" AI engines.
The fix: Write for humans first. AI engines are trained on human-preferred content. If humans like it, AI will too.
Mistake 2: Over-Optimization
The mistake: Adding every schema type, excessive internal linking, keyword stuffing headers.
The fix: Optimize for clarity, not algorithms. If it feels spammy, it is spammy.
Mistake 3: Sacrificing Quality for Structure
The mistake: Having perfect headings and schema but shallow, low-value content.
The fix: Structure is worthless without substance. Focus on creating genuinely helpful content first, then optimize structure.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Traditional SEO
The mistake: "GEO is the new SEO, so I don't need keywords or backlinks."
The fix: GEO is additive to SEO, not a replacement. You still need backlinks, keywords, and all the traditional stuff.
Mistake 5: Not Updating Old Content
The mistake: Optimizing new content but leaving your old, high-traffic pages unoptimized.
The fix: Your old pages have more authority. Update them with GEO optimizations. It's faster ROI than creating new content.
New Standard
Download the Complete GEO Checklist
Generative Engine Optimization Checklist
Everything you need to optimize your content for AI search engines:
- 20-item checklist organized by category
- Printable PDF format
- GEO optimization tips for each item
- 4-email series on advanced GEO tactics