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Troubleshooting Guide

Solutions to common GEO optimization problems

Quick Problem Solver

Find your issue below and follow the solution steps. Most problems have quick fixes.

Low GEO-Score Issues

Problem: Overall Score Below 50

Cause: Multiple factors need improvement. Usually poor structure, readability issues, or missing schema.

Solution Steps:

  1. Fix robots.txt to allow AI bots first
  2. Add proper H1 and H2 heading structure
  3. Simplify complex sentences for better readability
  4. Add basic Article + Breadcrumb schema
  5. Include 3-5 authoritative citations

Problem: AI Bots Blocked

Cause: Your robots.txt file is blocking AI crawlers like GPTBot or Claude-Web.

Solution:

Edit your robots.txt file to allow AI bots:

User-agent: GPTBot
Allow: /

User-agent: Claude-Web
Allow: /

Problem: Poor Readability Score

Cause: Complex sentences, technical jargon, or academic writing style.

Solution:

  • Break long sentences into shorter ones (15-20 words max)
  • Replace complex words with simpler alternatives
  • Explain technical terms when you use them
  • Use bullet points and lists for clarity
  • Target Grade 8 reading level

Technical Issues

Schema Markup Not Working

Symptoms: Schema shows errors in testing tools

Check: Use Google's Rich Results Test. Common issues: missing required fields, incorrect JSON syntax, or wrong schema type for content.

Analysis Fails or Times Out

Causes: Page too slow to load, protected by firewall, or requires authentication

  • Ensure page is publicly accessible
  • Check page load speed (should be under 10 seconds)
  • Temporarily disable aggressive firewall rules
  • Verify URL is correct and returns 200 status

Content Issues

Missing Citations Warning

Add links to authoritative sources. Academic studies, industry reports, and expert sources work best.

Thin Content Alert

Expand content to at least 500-800 words. Cover topics comprehensively. Answer related questions.

Poor Structure Score

Add one H1, multiple H2s for sections, H3s for subsections. Don't skip heading levels.

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