GEO - Generative Engine Optimization

In times when content is no longer primarily found via traditional search engines, but is instead presented via generative AI response systems (e.g. chatbots, AI assistants), a new optimization approach is becoming important: GEO - Generative Engine Optimization. GEO is about preparing a website in such a way that large language models (LLMs) can understand, categorize and cite your content.

The llms.txt file format provides a technical basis for this: a Markdown file that structures your website in a curated way for LLMs. The TYPO3 extension LLMS.TXT Generator from web-vision supports precisely this implementation.

The llms.txt specification describes a file in the root (or under a sub-path, if applicable) of your website, in Markdown format, with the following characteristics:

• An H1 heading with the project name.
• A blockquote with a short description of your project or website.
• Then paragraphs, lists or headings with links to relevant Markdown versions of your pages ("file lists") etc.
• Objective: To show the AI systems clearly and compactly what is important on your website, where the content is, how it is structured - and not to force them through complex HTML / navigation / scripts.

In the context of GEO, this means: If you provide content that is to be found and used by AI assistants in such a structure, you increase the likelihood that your website will be used as a source for generative engines and not just classically via Google and Co. but via AI systems.

The advantages for a TYPO3 website are as follows:

• The LLMS TXT Generator extension automatically creates a file (e.g. under /\.well-known/llms.txt) that takes your page structure, metadata (topics, contact information, etc.) and navigation into account.
• You can configure which pages are exported, which topic tags are assigned, etc. TypoScript configuration is possible.
• For editors in the TYPO3 backend, the effort is minimal: the extension is based on your existing pages.
• For GEO purposes: You position your content specifically for AI engines, not just classic search engines. This means that your website is immediately "generation-ready" for AI response chains.

• Install the extension "LLMS TXT Generator" in your TYPO3 v13 installation. (PHP 8.2+ recommended)
• Define in TypoScript or in the extension settings:
  • Which page hierarchy is exported (e.g. main navigation, services, specialist articles)
  • Which metadata fields are filled in: Topics, short description, contact info.
  • Whether Markdown versions of your pages should be generated (.md suffix) - important because LLMs can process Markdown better.
• Publish the llms.txt file (e.g. under /.well-known/llms.txt) and test its accessibility. (Server must allow directory if necessary)
• Check the Markdown pages: Links, readability, exclude sensitive content if necessary.
• Monitoring & maintenance: If content changes (new service, new page, restructuring) - then llms.txt should also be updated. Your GEO strategy depends on being up to date.
• Optional: Carry out an analysis of how your content is referenced by AI response systems - this gives an indication of the effectiveness of the GEO measure.

Opportunities:

• If your website is recognized as a trustworthy source by generative engines, this can directly increase your visibility in AI responses (not just via classic SERPs).
• You have better control over which content should be passed to AI systems - instead of the system finding something and perhaps extracting the wrong bits.
• They relieve AI systems of unnecessary ballast (navigation, scripts, advertising) and deliver a clearly structured version - which can improve the quality of the response.

Limitations:

• Support from major LLM providers is not yet mandatory: although llms.txt is published, there is no guarantee that your pages will be cited.
• Elaborate content or highly interactive pages (e.g. complex visualizations, forms) cannot be perfectly mapped as Markdown - according to the TYPO3 documentation, there are limitations here.
• GEO does not replace classic SEO: it is not a substitute for good content, technical performance or usability - but a supplementary measure.

If you want to move your website into an era where response AI plays an important role instead of classic search engines, then GEO - and thus the integration of llms.txt - is a strategic step. With TYPO3 and the LLMS TXT Generator extension from web-vision, you can implement this measure efficiently. The effort is manageable, the benefits - at least potentially - high.

We recommend: Start with a pilot page or a topic tree of your website, generate llms.txt and observe whether your content is perceived more strongly in AI responses. This way you not only retain control over your content - you gain a perspective on the Generative Engine Optimization of your website.

The AI LLMs.txt extension for TYPO3 is available free of charge for TYPO3 versions 13 and 14 in the TYPO3 Extension Repository and on packagist.org. The code is also available on GitHub.