What's the most important factor for AI citations?

Structured content that directly answers questions. AI systems parse headings, extract answers from the first 2-3 sentences under each heading, and pull data from tables. If your content makes AI work hard to find the answer, it will cite a competitor whose content is clearer.

Does my website need to rank #1 on Google to get AI citations?

No. Research shows 89% of ChatGPT citations come from pages ranking position 21 or lower. What matters more is content structure, authority signals (backlinks, mentions), and semantic relevance to the query. Focus on being the best answer, not just the highest-ranking one.

How do I check if AI bots can crawl my site?

Check your robots.txt file at yoursite.com/robots.txt. Look for User-agent: GPTBot and User-agent: CCBot — if they show 'Disallow: /' you're blocking AI crawlers. Many aviation sites block these by default. Allow them to access public content pages.

What schema markup should aviation websites use?

Essential: FAQPage, LocalBusiness, Service, and BreadcrumbList. Aviation-specific: Add aggregateRating if you have reviews, sameAs links to industry bodies (NBAA, EBAA, ARGUS), and geo coordinates for airport coverage. Test with Google's Rich Results Test.

How do I improve my domain authority for AI visibility?

Higher domain rating correlates with higher citation probability. Build quality backlinks from aviation publications, industry bodies, and travel media. Create linkable assets (original data, research, guides). Focus on link quality over quantity.

SEO Audit

Private Jet SEO Audit: What AI Platforms Look For (2026)

A complete audit checklist for aviation websites. Technical requirements, schema markup, and content structure that ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI need to cite your charter company.

9 min read•Updated January 2026

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AI platforms decide whether to cite your charter company based on specific signals. This checklist covers exactly what ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI look for when answering questions about private aviation.

Use this as a quarterly audit guide. Check each item, fix gaps, and track improvements in your AI visibility over time. For comprehensive private jet SEO services, these elements form the foundation.

Technical Requirements

AI bot crawling enabled

Check robots.txt allows GPTBot, CCBot, and Googlebot. Many aviation sites block these by default.

Page speed under 2 seconds

Test with PageSpeed Insights. If your site loads in 4 seconds vs competitor's 2 seconds, you lose the booking.

HTTPS enabled

All pages served securely. Non-HTTPS sites receive fewer citations.

Mobile-first optimisation

58% of aviation searches happen on mobile. Test responsive design on multiple devices.

XML sitemap submitted

Updated sitemap in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

No crawl errors

Check Search Console for 404s, redirect loops, and blocked resources.

Canonical tags implemented

Prevent duplicate content issues, especially for route pages and regional variations.

Schema Markup

LocalBusiness schema

Include name, address, geo coordinates, opening hours, and service area.

Service schema

Define charter services with provider, area served, and price range indicators.

FAQPage schema

On service pages, route pages, and blog posts with FAQ sections.

Organization schema

With sameAs links to industry bodies: NBAA, EBAA, ARGUS, Wyvern.

BreadcrumbList schema

Show site hierarchy for navigation and AI context understanding.

AggregateRating (if applicable)

Include if you have customer reviews. AI values social proof signals.

Article schema on blog posts

With author, publisher, datePublished, and dateModified.

Test your schema with Google's Rich Results Test.

Content Structure

Direct answers in first 2-3 sentences

Each section should lead with the answer, not build up to it.

Question-format headings

Use H2/H3s like "How much does...", "What is...", "How to..."

Tables for comparisons

Aircraft specs, pricing tiers, route options — AI extracts table data effectively.

Bullet points and numbered lists

Break down complex information into scannable formats.

FAQ sections on key pages

5-8 questions per page with concise, direct answers.

Specific data points

Include numbers, percentages, prices, times — AI loves citable facts.

Visible update timestamps

"Last updated: January 2026" — freshness signals matter for AI.

Conversational tone

Content should sound natural when read aloud — AI generates spoken-style answers.

Authority Signals

Safety certifications displayed

FAA, EASA, ARGUS, Wyvern ratings prominently shown with links to verification.

Industry memberships listed

NBAA, EBAA, regional aviation associations with membership badges.

Third-party reviews visible

Google reviews, industry directories, client testimonials with verifiable details.

Press mentions and features

Links to coverage in aviation publications, travel media, business press.

Case studies with real data

Specific results, named clients (with permission), verifiable outcomes.

Expert author profiles

Author bios with credentials, experience, and industry expertise on content.

Backlinks from authority domains

Aviation publications, travel media, business directories. Quality over quantity.

AI Visibility Specific

Baseline AI visibility audit completed

Run free audit with HubSpot AEO Grader to understand current position.

Target queries defined

List 15-20 queries clients ask: "best charter company [location]", "[route] private jet cost".

Comparison content created

"Best of" lists, aircraft comparisons, competitor alternatives where you're included.

Route pages built

10-20 strategic routes with full AI-optimised structure. See our route page guide.

Third-party mentions built

Featured on industry lists, directories, publications. AI learns from mentions across the web.

Tracking tool activated

OtterlyAI, Rankability, or manual weekly checks of AI responses for target queries.

Recommended Audit Schedule

Weekly

• Manual check of 3-5 target AI queries
• Note any visibility changes
• Check Search Console for new errors

Monthly

• Review AI tracking tool reports
• Update 2-3 key pages with fresh content
• Check competitor AI visibility changes

Quarterly

• Full audit using this checklist
• Schema validation across all pages
• Content freshness review
• Backlink profile analysis

Annually

• Strategic content gap analysis
• Route page expansion planning
• Industry benchmark comparison
• Budget allocation review

FAQ: Aviation SEO Audits

Whether you're a new client or a long-time partner, we're here to help. Below are answers to the most common questions.

Conduct a full audit quarterly, with monthly spot-checks on key pages. AI platforms update their training data and algorithms frequently — what worked 3 months ago may need refreshing. Set calendar reminders for January, April, July, and October audits.

Key Takeaway

AI visibility isn't magic — it's the compound result of technical excellence, structured content, and authority signals. This checklist covers what ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI look for when deciding whether to cite your charter company.

Run this audit quarterly. Track improvements. Fix gaps systematically. Over time, you'll build the kind of authoritative presence that AI platforms trust to recommend.

For professional implementation, explore our private jet SEO services or see results in our charter SEO case study.

How to Get Cited by ChatGPT

Complete GEO guide for charter companies.

How to Track Perplexity Mentions

Monitor your AI visibility with these tools.

Want a Professional SEO Audit?

Book a free strategy session. We'll audit your charter website against this checklist and show you exactly where to focus for maximum AI visibility.

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