Getting Cited by ChatGPT and Claude

ChatGPT and Claude are the two most popular AI assistants. Understanding how to get your content cited by these platforms is essential for GEO success.

How ChatGPT Handles Information

Training Data

ChatGPT's base knowledge comes from training data:

• Web crawls up to a knowledge cutoff date
• Books, articles, and publications
• Code repositories
• Publicly available datasets

For GEO: Your content must be high-quality enough to influence training data patterns.

Web Browsing (ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise)

When browsing is enabled, ChatGPT can:

• Search the web in real-time
• Access current information
• Cite sources with links

For GEO: Optimize for search visibility AND content citability.

How Claude Handles Information

Training Data Only

Claude (as of late 2024) relies primarily on training data:

• No native web browsing
• Knowledge has a cutoff date
• Can analyze uploaded documents

For GEO: Focus on building lasting authority that influences training data.

Document Analysis

Claude excels at analyzing uploaded files:

• PDFs, documents, and code
• Long-context analysis
• Detailed document comparison

For GEO: Create comprehensive resources people will upload to Claude.

Strategies for ChatGPT with Web Browsing

1. Optimize for Search Ranking

When ChatGPT browses the web, it uses search results:

SEO fundamentals matter:

• Target relevant keywords
• Build domain authority
• Create comprehensive content
• Maintain technical SEO

Example: If someone asks ChatGPT about "best CRM for small businesses," it will search and retrieve top-ranking pages.

2. Create Citable Content

Once ChatGPT retrieves your page, it decides whether to cite it:

Make content citable:

• Include specific statistics with sources
• Provide clear answers to common questions
• Use expert language and credentials
• Structure content for extraction

Example citability:

"The average small business spends $12-50 per user per month on CRM software, with HubSpot Free being the most popular option for teams under 10 users (2024 industry survey)."

3. Answer Questions Directly

ChatGPT looks for content that directly answers user questions:

Create content that answers:

• "What is [topic]?"
• "How do I [action]?"
• "What's the best [category]?"
• "How much does [thing] cost?"

Example structure:

## How Much Does CRM Software Cost?

CRM software for small businesses typically costs $12-50 per user
per month. Free options include HubSpot CRM and Zoho Free.

### Pricing by Tier

- **Free:** HubSpot, Zoho Free (limited features)
- **Basic ($12-20/user):** Pipedrive, Freshsales
- **Standard ($20-35/user):** Zoho Professional, HubSpot Starter
- **Premium ($35-50+/user):** Salesforce, HubSpot Professional

4. Include Current Information

ChatGPT's browsing favors current content for timely topics:

Keep content updated:

• Include publication and update dates
• Update statistics annually
• Note when information may change
• Create "2024 Guide" style content for timely topics

Strategies for Claude

1. Build Training Data Presence

Without web browsing, Claude relies on training data:

Be prominent enough to influence training:

• Publish on high-visibility platforms
• Get cited by authoritative sources
• Maintain consistent presence over time
• Create definitive resources on your topics

2. Create Uploadable Resources

People upload documents to Claude for analysis:

Create comprehensive resources:

• Detailed guides and ebooks
• Research reports with data
• Comparison matrices
• Framework documents

Make them upload-worthy:

• Professional formatting
• Comprehensive coverage
• Unique insights or data
• Clear structure

3. Focus on Depth Over Breadth

Claude excels at nuanced, detailed analysis:

Create deep content:

• Explore topics thoroughly
• Include edge cases and nuances
• Provide expert-level insights
• Add context and background

4. Target Professional Use Cases

Claude is popular for professional work:

Create content for:

• Business decision-making
• Technical documentation
• Research and analysis
• Professional writing assistance

Universal Strategies for Both Platforms

1. Demonstrate Expertise

Both platforms value expertise signals:

Show expertise through:

• Author credentials (degrees, certifications, experience)
• Accurate technical language
• Depth of knowledge
• Original insights

2. Cite Authoritative Sources

Both platforms cross-reference information:

Build trust through citations:

• Reference primary research
• Link to authoritative sources
• Use specific studies and data
• Maintain accuracy

3. Create Comprehensive Coverage

Both platforms favor thorough content:

Be comprehensive:

• Cover topics completely
• Address common questions
• Include relevant subtopics
• Provide actionable information

4. Maintain Factual Accuracy

Both platforms verify information:

Ensure accuracy:

• Fact-check all claims
• Use credible sources
• Update outdated information
• Correct errors

Platform-Specific Considerations

ChatGPT Specifics

Optimizations:

• Target search-friendly content
• Include current dates and statistics
• Create FAQ-style sections
• Optimize for featured snippets

Content types that work:

• How-to guides
• Product comparisons
• Definition articles
• Current guides (e.g., "Best X in 2024")

Claude Specifics

Optimizations:

• Focus on nuanced, thoughtful content
• Create resources worth uploading
• Build long-term authority
• Provide context and background

Content types that work:

• In-depth analysis
• Professional guides
• Research reports
• Framework documents

Action Items

For ChatGPT Optimization

1. Audit your top-ranking content for citability
2. Add specific statistics with sources
3. Create FAQ sections answering common questions
4. Update content with current dates and data
5. Structure for easy extraction

For Claude Optimization

1. Create comprehensive downloadable resources
2. Build author authority profiles
3. Focus on expertise demonstration
4. Target professional use cases
5. Maintain long-term content quality

Summary

In this lesson, you learned:

• ChatGPT uses both training data and web browsing (when enabled)
• Claude relies primarily on training data without web browsing
• For ChatGPT with browsing: optimize for search AND citability
• For Claude: build lasting authority and create uploadable resources
• Universal strategies include expertise demonstration, source citation, and factual accuracy
• Different content types perform better on each platform

In the next lesson, we'll explore optimization strategies for Perplexity and AI-native search engines.