Entity Optimizer

# Entity Signal Checklist

> Part of [entity-optimizer](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/cross-cutting/entity-optimizer/SKILL.md). See also: [knowledge-graph-guide.md](https://github.com/aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills/blob/main/cross-cutting/entity-optimizer/references/knowledge-graph-guide.md)

Work through signals by priority tier. Mark each: present/correct, incomplete, or absent.

## Priority 1: Foundation Signals (Must-Have)

### On-Site Structured Data
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 1 | Organization/Person schema on homepage | name, url, logo, description present |
| 2 | sameAs links to authoritative profiles | Wikipedia, Wikidata, LinkedIn, social |
| 3 | Consistent @id across all pages | Same @id on every page |
| 4 | About page with entity-rich content | First paragraph defines entity; founding date, key people, mission |
| 5 | Contact page with verifiable info | Physical address, phone, email matching directory listings |

### Key External Profiles
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 6 | Wikidata entry | Label, description, key properties, references |
| 7 | Google Business Profile (if applicable) | Claimed, verified, complete |
| 8 | LinkedIn page | Complete, matches entity name/description |
| 9 | CrunchBase profile (companies/products) | Description, founding info, key people |
| 10 | Primary industry directory listing | Listed with correct info |

### Branded Search Presence
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 11 | Branded search returns correct entity | Website #1; KP appears or SERP identifies entity |
| 12 | No disambiguation confusion | No other entity dominates results |
| 13 | Branded search volume exists | Measurable volume > 0 |

## Priority 2: Authority Signals (Should-Have)

### Knowledge Graph Depth
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 14 | Google Knowledge Panel present | Displayed with correct info |
| 15 | KP attributes complete | Key attributes filled (founded, CEO, location, industry) |
| 16 | KP image correct | Preferred image displayed |
| 17 | Wikipedia article (or notability path) | Article exists, or 3+ independent reliable sources available |
| 18 | Wikidata properties complete | 10+ properties with references |

### Third-Party Validation
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 19 | Authoritative media mentions | 3+ in recognized publications |
| 20 | Industry awards/recognitions | At least 1 verifiable |
| 21 | Co-citation with established entities | Appears in comparisons, listicles, roundups |
| 22 | Speaking/publications | Appears as speaker, author, or contributor |
| 23 | Third-party platform reviews | Reviews exist with reasonable volume |

### Content Authority
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 24 | Topical content depth | 10+ pages covering target topics |
| 25 | Author pages with credentials | Author schema, credentials, sameAs |
| 26 | Original research/data | At least 1 piece cited by others |
| 27 | Entity mentioned naturally in content | Name appears contextually, not just header/footer |

## Priority 3: AI-Specific Signals (Must-Have for GEO)

### AI Recognition
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 28 | ChatGPT recognizes entity | Correct description returned |
| 29 | Perplexity recognizes entity | Correct description with citations |
| 30 | Google AI Overview mentions entity | Entity appears in AI overview |
| 31 | AI description accurate | No factual errors |
| 32 | AI associates correct topics | Correct topic associations |

### AI Optimization
| # | Signal | Pass Criteria |
|---|--------|---------------|
| 33 | Quotable entity definition in first paragraph | Clear, factual, self-contained |
| 34 | Factual claims verifiable | All claims cross-referenceable |
| 35 | Entity name used consistently | Identical format everywhere |
| 36 | Content craw