# Site demonstrates domain expertise

- **Pattern:** `ab-001532` (`geo-readiness.authority-expertise.expertise-depth`)
- **Severity:** high
- **Lifecycle:** active
- **Last modified:** 2026-04-18
- **Canonical URL:** https://auditbuffet.com/patterns/ab-001532
- **License:** CC-BY-4.0 — attribute to AuditBuffet Pattern Catalog (https://auditbuffet.com/patterns/ab-001532)

## Why it matters

AI systems reward sites that demonstrate subject-matter expertise through depth — a single 800-word explanatory post or a 500-word documentation page signals authority far more than twenty 100-word feature blurbs. Shallow marketing content places you in the "generic vendor" bucket where citations go to the competitor who has written a methodology doc, even if that competitor ships a weaker product.

## Severity rationale

High because depth indicators are the primary expertise signal AI systems use to rank sources for citation.

## Remediation

Publish at least one piece of substantive content meeting one of four thresholds: documentation with 500 or more words, a methodology page explaining product rationale, a step-by-step technical guide, or an 800-plus-word blog post on the product's domain. Create files under `src/app/docs/` or `src/content/blog/`.

```
src/app/docs/methodology/page.tsx
src/content/blog/deep-dive.mdx
```

## Detection

- **ID:** `expertise-depth`
- **Severity:** `high`
- **What to look for:** Check whether the site has content that goes beyond surface-level marketing. Count the word length of the longest documentation page, the longest blog post, and any methodology page. Look for: a `/docs` or `/guides` route with 500+ words of substantive content, methodology documentation explaining the "why" behind product decisions, detailed technical guides, in-depth blog posts (800+ words) on the product's domain, or educational content that teaches the reader something.
- **Pass criteria:** The site must have at least 1 of the following 4 depth indicators: (1) documentation with 500+ words of substantive content, (2) a methodology or "how we built this" page, (3) detailed technical guides with step-by-step instructions, or (4) in-depth blog posts (800+ words) on the product's domain. Count the word length of qualifying content to verify it meets the threshold.
- **Fail criteria:** 0 of 4 depth indicators found. Only shallow marketing content exists — feature lists, benefit statements, and pricing with no technical depth, guides, or methodology. No documentation or educational content. Blog posts that are all under 200 words do not qualify. Report: `"0 of 4 depth indicators found — longest content page is X words"`.
- **Skip (N/A) when:** Never — even simple products can explain their approach and domain.
- **Detail on fail:** `"0 of 4 depth indicators found. Longest content page is 150 words. No documentation, guides, or in-depth content. AI systems see this as lacking expertise."` or `"Blog exists but longest post is 180 words — 0 of 4 depth indicators met (800+ words required for blog depth)"`.
- **Cross-reference:** For a deeper analysis of content marketing quality, brand voice, and persuasion structure, the Marketing Content Quality audit covers this in detail.
- **Remediation:** Depth signals expertise. Add content that demonstrates you understand your domain. Create pages under `src/app/docs/` or `src/app/blog/` with 500+ words of substantive content:

  - **Documentation** explaining your product's concepts and usage
  - **Blog posts** that teach something about your domain (not just product updates)
  - **A methodology page** explaining how and why you built things the way you did

  This content serves dual duty: it helps users AND tells AI systems you're an authoritative source.

Taxons: findability, content-integrity

HTML version: https://auditbuffet.com/patterns/ab-001532