Learnings From LLM Results (So Far)

After setting up tracking for website traffic from large language models in GA4 (here’s how), I started to notice some patterns. Certain types of pages consistently attracted more visits from these sources. I decided to dig deeper, and here are some of the insights I’ve uncovered so far.

Factors Considered

How LLMs (large language models) Select and Prioritise Content

1. Match the Question

AI tools are good at reading between the lines. They don’t just look at keywords, they try to understand what the person really wants to know.

Content that sticks to the topic, answers the actual question clearly, and avoids waffle is more likely to be used.

2. Be a Trusted Source

LLMs don’t want to get things wrong - especially on serious topics. So they lean towards content from reliable sites.

If your content is well-written, backed by good sources, and shows expertise (like having author bios or clear credentials), it’s got a better shot.

Publishing on respected blogs or platforms helps too.

3. Stay Fresh

Platforms like Perplexity, Bing, and Google are using more real-time data now. That means newer content can get picked up quickly, even before it’s in the training data.

If you’re early on a trend, you’ve got a window to become the source AI tools rely on.

4. Make It Easy to Read

Clear, well-structured content works best. That means:

• Proper headings

• Short paragraphs

• Bullet points and tables

• Q&As

• A quick answer or summary near the top

  
  

Also, using schema (structured data) helps machines understand what your page is about.

5. Include Facts & Original Material

AI loves content with clear facts, quotes, stats, or research.

Pages with original data or fresh insights are way more likely to be included in answers. Some studies show this kind of content gets 30–40% more visibility in AI responses.

6. Strong Backlinks Help

No surprise here, if other trustworthy sites link to you, AI models take that as a good sign.

Quality over quantity still applies.

7. Focus on Help, Not Hype

Informational content works better than sales fluff.

Think how-to guides, blog posts, product reviews, forum threads, stuff that helps the user, not just sells to them.

8. Be in More Places

Think about where else you show up - like social media, Wikipedia, and review sites. LLMs look at the whole web, not just your website.

Source Examples – I explored further into why LLM’s use certain sources compared to others. This is what they said >

• Wikipedia uses a collaborative editing model, allowing many volunteers to contribute and check content for neutrality and accuracy.

• The Sun is a popular British tabloid with wide readership and media influence, often cited in public discourse.

• Cleveland Clinic is a globally recognised medical centre, known for top rankings, academic partnerships, and robust biomedical research.

• Mayo Clinic Blog is a trusted source featuring expert-written, evidence-based content with high editorial standards and strong SEO performance.