E-E-A-T Signals — What AIs Really Evaluate
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google has used these criteria for years. But for AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, they're even more decisive — because AIs must actively decide which sources to cite.
Why E-E-A-T Matters More for AI Than for Google
Google shows 10 results and lets the user choose. An AI gives a single answer — and must decide which sources are trustworthy enough to cite. Websites without clear trust signals fall through the cracks.
Experience — Show Real Experience
AI systems evaluate whether your content is based on real experience. Case studies, testimonials, concrete examples from practice — all signal that the author knows what they're talking about.
Practically: Enrich your pages with specific numbers, timeframes, and personal assessments instead of generic statements.
Expertise — Demonstrate Knowledge
Who writes the content? Are there author profiles with qualifications? Does the page link to authoritative sources? AI systems recognize and reward these signals.
Tip: Create author profiles with bios, qualifications, and links to professional articles or social media profiles.
Authoritativeness — Build Authority
Authority comes from external signals: Other websites link to you, you're mentioned in industry media, you have social media presence. For AI systems, inbound links and mentions are strong signals.
Trustworthiness — Create Trust
The most important signal. Trust comes from:
- Complete legal information with address and contact details
- Privacy policy
- Clear about page with real people
- HTTPS encryption
- Customer reviews and testimonials
- Contact options (phone, email, contact form)
What scan8 Checks
The "E-E-A-T Signals" category in scan8 automatically analyzes: Is there an about page? Legal pages linked? Contact details available? Social media links? External sources referenced? You'll instantly see where to improve.
Remember: E-E-A-T isn't a technical feature you set up once. It's an ongoing strategy to make trust and expertise visible.