Skill: mmyg11/aeo-content-free-temp (version 1.0.0)

--- name: aeo-content-free-local description: > Create or refresh AEO-optimized content that gets cited by AI assistants (Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity) using only free tools. Two modes: CREATE new content targeting a specific prompt, or REFRESH existing content to improve AI citation-worthiness. Researches what AI models currently cite, builds a competitive brief, and produces citation-worthy content. Use when a user wants to: write content optimized for AI citations, create articles that show up in AI answers, refresh/update existing content for better AI visibility, build authority content for answer engines, or produce AEO content without paid tools. No API keys required — uses web_fetch, web_search (free tier), and LLM reasoning only. Pairs with aeo-prompt-research-free (which identifies WHAT to write about; this skill handles HOW to write or refresh it). --- # AEO Content Skill (Free) > **Source:** [github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills](https://github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills/tree/main/aeo-content-free) > **Part of:** [AEO Skills Suite](https://github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills) — [Prompt Research](https://github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills/tree/main/aeo-prompt-research-free) → Content → [Analytics](https://github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills/tree/main/aeo-analytics-free) Create or refresh content that AI assistants want to cite — using zero paid APIs. ## Requirements - `web_fetch` — analyze currently-cited sources and existing content - `web_search` — find competing content (Brave free tier, optional) - LLM reasoning — research, brief, draft, and evaluate ## Mode Detection - **Create mode** — User provides a target prompt but no existing URL → write new content - **Refresh mode** — User provides an existing page URL (+ optional target prompt) → audit and update ## Input - **Target prompt** (required for create, optional for refresh) — the AI prompt this content should win - **Brand/domain** (required) — who the content is for - **Existing URL** (refresh mode) — the page to update - **Topic context** (optional) — additional info about the brand's angle - **Content type** (optional) — guide, comparison, how-to, explainer --- ## Create Mode Workflow ### Step 1: AI Landscape Research Search the target prompt and close variants to understand the current answer landscape: 1. **Web search the exact prompt** — search engines show similar sources to what AI cites 2. **`web_fetch` the top 5-10 results** — these are the pages AI models draw from 3. **`web_search` for `"[topic]" site:reddit.com`** — find real user questions and discussions For each top-ranking page, extract: - Main points and structure - Unique data, frameworks, or insights - Gaps — what they miss or get wrong - Freshness — when was it last updated? ### Step 2: Build the Content Brief Use the template in `references/content-brief-template.md` to structure research. Key decisions: - **Mandatory topics** — every sub-topic the AI currently covers in its answer - **Unique value angle** — what will this content add that no current source provides? (Most important decision.) - **Content structure** — outline with H2/H3 headings that mirror question phrasing - **Target specs** — word count, format, tone ### Step 3: Write Citation-Worthy Content Draft following citation signals from `references/citation-signals.md`. Key principles: - Lead each section with a direct, quotable 1-2 sentence answer - Use descriptive headings that match question phrasing - Include original data, frameworks, or expert perspective - Name specific tools, companies, people, statistics - Cover every sub-question the AI currently answers, then go deeper on 2-3 areas - Cut fluff — every paragraph earns its place ### Step 4: Self-Evaluate Before delivering, check the draft against currently-cited sources: 1. **Coverage** — addresses every topic the top sources cover? 2. **Depth** — goes deeper on at least 2-3 areas? 3. **Uniqueness** — offers something no current source has? 4. **Extractability** — AI can pull a direct answer from each section? 5. **Entity richness** — specific names, tools, numbers throughout? 6. **Freshness** — examples, data, references are current? ### Step 5: Deliver with Publishing Guidance Output final content plus title, meta description (150-160 chars), and: - Add publication date + author byline with credentials - Ensure page is indexable (no noindex, no paywall) - Add schema markup if applicable (FAQ, HowTo, Article) - Internal link from existing related content - Re-check target prompt in AI models 2-4 weeks after indexing --- ## Refresh Mode Workflow ### Step R0: Audit the Existing Page Before any landscape research, analyze the current page: 1. **`web_fetch` the existing URL** — get the full content 2. Extract current structure: headings, topics covered, depth per section 3. Note: publication date, last updated date, author info 4. Check freshness: outdated stats, old tool names, expired examples, stale references 5. Identify what's already strong (keep these sections) ### Step R1: AI Landscape Research Same as Create Step 1 — research what AI models currently cite for the target prompt. If no target prompt was provided, infer it from the page's topic and title. ### Step R2: Gap Analysis (Diff) Compare existing content against the competitive landscape: - **Missing topics** — sub-topics AI covers that the page doesn't → flag for addition - **Outdated info** — old statistics, discontinued tools, expired examples → flag for replacement - **Missing entities** — competitors, tools, people the AI mentions that the page doesn't → flag for inclusion - **Structural issues** — buried answers, vague headings, no clear extractable statements → flag for restructure - **Freshness gaps** — old dates, prior-year references → flag for update - **Strengths to preserve** — sections already well-written, potentially already cited → keep as-is Output: a prioritized list of changes with rationale for each. ### Step R3: Edit (Not Rewrite) Apply changes surgically: - **Add** new sections for coverage gaps (place them logically in the existing structure) - **Update** outdated data points, examples, tool names, statistics - **Restructure** weak sections — add extractable lead sentences, improve headings - **Weave in** missing entities naturally (don't keyword-stuff) - **Preserve** sections that are already strong - **Update** publication/modified date Output the refreshed content with clear markup showing changes: - `[ADDED]` — new sections or paragraphs - `[UPDATED]` — modified existing content - `[RESTRUCTURED]` — reorganized for better extractability - `[UNCHANGED]` — kept as-is (note why it's strong) ### Step R4: Before/After Summary Provide a clear comparison: - What was added (new sections, topics, entities) - What was updated (stats, examples, references) - What was restructured (headings, lead sentences) - What was removed (outdated info) - Expected impact on citation-worthiness ### Step R5: Self-Evaluate + Deliver Same 6-point evaluation as Create Step 4, plus: - Does the refresh maintain the page's existing voice and style? - Are all internal/external links still valid? - Is the updated date reflected? Deliver with the same publishing guidance as Create Step 5. --- ## Tips - The unique value angle is make-or-break for both modes - For refresh: resist the urge to rewrite everything. Surgical edits that add missing pieces are more efficient and preserve existing authority - First-party data is the strongest citation signal — if the brand has relevant data, use it prominently - For comparison prompts ("X vs Y"), be balanced — AI models avoid citing biased sources - Shorter, sharper content that directly answers the prompt beats long rambling pieces - This skill pairs with `aeo-prompt-research-free` which identifies target prompts

path: references/citation-signals.md
content: # What Makes Content Citation-Worthy for AI

AI models (Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity) select sources to cite based on specific content qualities. Understanding these signals is the difference between content that gets cited and content that gets ignored.

## Primary Citation Signals

### 1. Direct, Extractable Answers
AI models look for concise, quotable statements they can pull into their responses.

**Do:**
- Lead sections with a clear 1-2 sentence definition or answer
- Use the "inverted pyramid" — most important info first
- Format key statements as standalone paragraphs (not buried in lists)

**Don't:**
- Bury the answer in paragraph 3 of a long section
- Use vague hedging ("it depends," "there are many factors")
- Require reading 500 words before reaching the point

**Example:**
```
## What is Answer Engine Optimization?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing content
so AI-powered search engines and chatbots cite your website in their
responses. Unlike traditional SEO which targets search rankings, AEO
focuses on being the source AI models trust and reference.
```

### 2. Structured, Parseable Format
AI models use headings and structure to locate relevant sections within a page.

**Do:**
- Use descriptive H2/H3 headings that mirror how people phrase questions
- One clear topic per section
- Use bullet/numbered lists for multi-part answers
- Include a table of contents for long pieces

**Don't:**
- Use clever/cute headings that don't describe the content
- Mix multiple topics in one section
- Use H2s just for visual styling

### 3. First-Party Data & Original Insight
AI models prefer sources that contribute something unique — not just repackaged information.

**Types of originality that get cited:**
- Original research or data studies
- Proprietary frameworks or methodologies
- Expert quotes and practitioner experience
- Case studies with specific numbers
- Contrarian or novel perspectives with evidence

**Why it works:** If 10 pages say the same thing, the AI cites the one that adds something the others don't. Be that one.

### 4. Entity Richness
AI models match content to queries partly through named entities — specific tools, people, companies, statistics, dates.

**Do:**
- Name specific tools, platforms, and companies
- Include real statistics with sources
- Reference specific people (founders, researchers, practitioners)
- Use precise numbers over vague claims

**Don't:**
- Say "many tools" when you can say "tools like Clearscope, Surfer SEO, and MarketMuse"
- Say "studies show" without citing the study
- Use generic descriptions when specific names exist

### 5. Comprehensiveness with Depth
The cited source usually covers the topic more thoroughly than alternatives.

**The coverage test:** For your target prompt, list every sub-question a thorough answer would address. Your content should answer all of them.

**But avoid fluff:** Comprehensive ≠ long. Every section should earn its place. 2,000 focused words beat 5,000 padded words.

### 6. Freshness & Authority Signals
- Include publication and "last updated" dates
- Reference current-year data and trends
- Link to authoritative sources (studies, official docs)
- Author byline with credentials relevant to the topic

## Secondary Citation Signals

### Technical Accessibility
- Fast page load (AI crawlers have timeouts)
- Clean HTML (proper heading hierarchy, semantic markup)
- No aggressive paywalls or interstitials blocking crawlers
- Mobile-friendly rendering

### Domain Authority
- Established domain with history of quality content
- Other authoritative sites linking to this content
- Consistent publishing in the topic area

### Content Freshness
- Regular updates to existing content
- Current statistics and examples
- Removal of outdated information

## Anti-Patterns (Things That Hurt Citations)

- **Thin content** — Pages under 500 words rarely get cited for informational queries
- **Pure aggregation** — Listicles that just link to other sources without adding analysis
- **Keyword stuffing** — Unnatural repetition signals low quality
- **Outdated info** — Old statistics, discontinued tools, expired advice
- **No clear author** — Anonymous content with no expertise signal
- **Gated content** — AI can't cite what it can't read


path: references/content-brief-template.md
content: # AEO Content Brief Template

Use this template to structure the research brief before writing. Fill each section during the research phase (Steps 1-2 of the workflow).

---

## Target Prompt
> [The exact prompt/question this content targets — written as a user would ask an AI]

## Brand & Domain
- **Domain:** [target website]
- **Brand positioning:** [1-sentence description of what the brand does]

## AI Landscape Analysis

### Current AI Responses
For each major AI model, document what they currently answer:

**Gemini:**
- Response summary: [key points in the AI's answer]
- Sources cited: [URLs]
- Gaps/weaknesses: [what's missing or wrong]

**ChatGPT:**
- Response summary:
- Sources cited:
- Gaps/weaknesses:

**Perplexity:**
- Response summary:
- Sources cited:
- Gaps/weaknesses:

### Currently Cited Sources
| Source URL | Why It's Cited | What It Does Well | What It's Missing |
|-----------|---------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| | | | |

## Content Requirements

### Mandatory Topics to Cover
Based on AI responses + competitor analysis:
1. [topic]
2. [topic]
...

### Questions to Answer
Sub-questions the content must address:
1. [question]
2. [question]
...

### Key Entities to Include
People, tools, companies, statistics that should appear:
- [entity]

### Unique Value Angle
What will this content offer that currently cited sources don't?
- [ ] Original data/research
- [ ] Unique framework or methodology
- [ ] Expert practitioner perspective
- [ ] More comprehensive coverage
- [ ] More current information
- [ ] Better structure/clarity

## Content Structure

### Proposed Outline
```
H1: [Title]

H2: [Direct answer / definition section]
  → Lead with extractable 1-2 sentence answer

H2: [Sub-topic 1]
H3: [Detail]
H3: [Detail]

H2: [Sub-topic 2]
...

H2: [Practical section — how-to / steps / examples]

H2: [Comparison or evaluation section if applicable]

H2: [FAQ or additional questions]
```

### Target Specs
- Word count: [1,500-3,000 for most informational content]
- Format: [guide / comparison / how-to / explainer]
- Tone: [authoritative but accessible / technical / beginner-friendly]

## Post-Publish Checklist
- [ ] Re-run target prompt in Gemini — would this page be a better source?
- [ ] Re-run in ChatGPT and Perplexity
- [ ] Check all cited competitor pages — does our content match or exceed each?
- [ ] Publication date and author byline present
- [ ] Page is indexable and loads quickly


path: _meta.json
content: {
  "owner": "psyduckler",
  "slug": "aeo-content-free-local",
  "displayName": "AEO Content (Free)",
  "latest": {
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "publishedAt": 1771171451822,
    "commit": "https://github.com/openclaw/skills/commit/cf36dc328c316b93e96a25fa851a494dcb3f1c10"
  },
  "history": []
}


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: clean (LOW)