Large language models can only recommend what they can understand and retrieve. LLM optimization (sometimes called LLMO) is the discipline of structuring content so models can parse it, trust it, and quote it accurately.
Write answer-first
Lead with a direct, self-contained answer to the question a page addresses. Models favor passages that can be lifted and cited without surrounding context.
Make facts explicit and structured
- State key facts plainly rather than implying them.
- Use clear headings, lists, and summaries.
- Add structured data so meaning is machine-readable.
Reduce the risk of misrepresentation
When your entity data and key claims are explicit and consistent, models are far less likely to hallucinate or misstate facts about your brand. Clarity is a defense as much as a growth lever.
If a model cannot quote you cleanly, it will quote someone else.
LLM optimization is one pillar of the broader practice. See how it fits into GEO overall, and review the key terms in the glossary.