AEO Content (Free)

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name: aeo-content-free 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).

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AEO Content Skill (Free)

> Source: github.com/psyduckler/aeo-skills > Part of: AEO Skills Suite — Prompt Research → Content → Analytics

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

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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

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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.

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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

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