AI models trace citations back to the origin of a claim, not the hundredth site to repeat it. Original benchmarks, case studies, methodology docs, and proprietary datasets mark your site as a source rather than a downstream aggregator, which measurably increases how often generative engines attribute facts to you rather than to a competitor who republished similar content.
Low because originality signals compound reputation slowly but are not required for baseline citation.
Publish at least one piece of original content — a benchmark table with real numbers, a case study with specific outcomes, a methodology document, or a unique dataset — as a public page. Originality must be observable in the rendered content, not just implied. Add files under src/app/research/page.tsx or MDX under src/content/.
src/app/research/benchmarks/page.tsx
src/content/case-studies/acme.mdx
ID: geo-readiness.authority-expertise.original-content
Severity: low
What to look for: Count all observable signals of originality across the site's public content. The 5 originality signal types are: (1) published benchmarks or data with specific numbers, (2) case studies describing real outcomes, (3) methodology documentation explaining proprietary processes, (4) original research or analysis, (5) unique datasets/tools that others can reference. Enumerate each signal found.
Pass criteria: Count all originality signals found across public content. At least 1 of the 5 originality signal types must be present. The content must include original data or analysis, not just opinions or advice available elsewhere. A methodology page explaining scoring formulas, a benchmark table with real numbers, or a case study with specific outcomes all qualify.
Fail criteria: 0 of 5 originality signal types found. All content is generic advice or information readily available on many other sites. No original data, benchmarks, case studies, or proprietary methodology. Report: "0 of 5 originality signal types found across X pages".
Skip (N/A) when: Utility or tool project with no marketing or educational content.
Detail on fail: "0 of 5 originality signal types found across 4 pages — no benchmarks, case studies, research, methodology docs, or unique datasets. All content is generic product marketing." or "Blog posts contain only generic advice — 0 of 5 originality signals, no original data or analysis"
Remediation: Original content is what gets cited. AI systems reference the source, not the repackager. Add original research or case studies as pages under src/app/ (e.g. src/app/research/page.tsx) or MDX files in src/content/. Consider adding:
For a deeper analysis of structured data and schema markup, the Advanced SEO audit covers this in detail.