Defense Mode vs Optimization Mode

GEO Audit offers two distinct analysis perspectives: AI-Optimization Mode and AI-Defense Mode. Choose the mode that aligns with your goals for AI interaction.

Understanding the Two Modes

AI-Optimization Mode (Default)

Goal: Make your content more discoverable to AI systems

Focus areas:

• Improve AI crawler access to your content
• Enhance content discoverability for AI training
• Maximize visibility to AI systems and search engines
• Optimize for citation in AI-generated responses

Best for:

• Businesses wanting AI visibility
• Content creators seeking AI citations
• SEO-focused optimization strategies
• Maximizing organic reach through AI systems

AI-Defense Mode

Goal: Protect your content from AI crawling and training

Focus areas:

• Block AI crawlers effectively
• Restrict unauthorized training data usage
• Protect intellectual property from AI systems
• Control how AI systems access your content

Best for:

• Protecting proprietary content
• Maintaining content exclusivity
• Preventing unauthorized AI training usage
• Publishers concerned about AI data usage

Switching Between Modes

During an Audit

1. Start any website audit (anonymous or logged-in)
2. Wait for results to load completely
3. Look for the mode toggle at the top of results page
4. Click the toggle to switch between:
   • Optimization Mode (target icon, green theme)
   • Defense Mode (shield icon, orange theme)
5. Results update instantly with new perspective

Setting Your Default Mode

1. Go to Account Settings (logged-in users only)
2. Find "AI Analysis Preferences" section
3. Select your preferred default:
   • AI-Optimization Mode
   • AI-Defense Mode
4. Click "Update Preferences"
5. New audits will use your default (you can still toggle individual audits)

How Mode Affects Analysis

Same Data, Different Perspective

• Underlying audit data remains identical
• Recommendations change based on your goal
• Scoring interprets the same findings differently
• Action items reflect your chosen strategy

Optimization Mode Analysis

Recommendations focus on:

• Opening robots.txt restrictions for AI crawlers
• Implementing LLMs.txt for training permissions
• Enhancing structured data for AI understanding
• Improving content accessibility for AI systems
• Building authority signals AI systems recognize

Example recommendations:

• "Allow AI crawlers in robots.txt"
• "Implement LLMs.txt with training permissions"
• "Add FAQ schema for better AI understanding"
• "Improve content structure for AI parsing"

Defense Mode Analysis

Recommendations focus on:

• Blocking AI crawlers in robots.txt
• Implementing LLMs.txt with restrictions
• Protecting content from unauthorized access
• Limiting AI system data collection
• Maintaining content control and ownership

Example recommendations:

• "Block AI crawlers in robots.txt"
• "Implement LLMs.txt with training restrictions"
• "Add copyright notices to prevent AI usage"
• "Restrict crawler access to sensitive content"

Visual Mode Indicators

Mode Toggle Interface

• Segmented control with clear visual distinction
• Optimization Mode: Target icon with green accent
• Defense Mode: Shield icon with orange accent
• Active mode highlighted with appropriate theme colors

Result Page Themes

• Color coding throughout results reflects chosen mode
• Icon consistency with target (optimization) or shield (defense)
• Language adaptation in recommendations and explanations

Strategic Considerations

Choosing Optimization Mode When:

• You want maximum online visibility
• AI citations would benefit your business
• You create educational or informational content
• SEO and discoverability are primary goals
• You're building thought leadership

Choosing Defense Mode When:

• You have proprietary or sensitive content
• Intellectual property protection is important
• You want to control AI training data usage
• Content exclusivity is part of your business model
• You prefer restrictive data sharing policies

Hybrid Approach

• Different sections of your site may warrant different approaches
• Public content might use Optimization Mode
• Premium/proprietary content might use Defense Mode
• Test both modes to understand the recommendations
• Make informed decisions based on business needs

Implementation Workflow

1. Analyze Current State

1. Run audit in both modes for the same website
2. Compare recommendations between modes
3. Identify key differences in suggested actions
4. Evaluate current setup against both perspectives

2. Choose Strategy

1. Consider business goals and content type
2. Evaluate risk vs. opportunity for AI interaction
3. Review legal/policy requirements for your industry
4. Select mode that aligns with objectives

3. Implement Recommendations

1. Follow mode-specific recommendations
2. Implement gradually to test effects
3. Monitor results over time
4. Adjust strategy based on outcomes

4. Monitor and Adjust

1. Regular audits to track implementation success
2. Switch modes occasionally to reassess strategy
3. Stay informed about AI policy developments
4. Adapt approach as AI landscape evolves

Common Use Cases

Content Publishers

• News sites: Often prefer Defense Mode for article protection
• Blogs: May use Optimization Mode for visibility
• Educational sites: Usually benefit from Optimization Mode

Business Websites

• SaaS companies: Often use Optimization Mode for thought leadership
• E-commerce: May use Defense Mode for product information protection
• Professional services: Usually prefer Optimization Mode for authority building

Creative Industries

• Artists/photographers: Often prefer Defense Mode for IP protection
• Writers: May use Defense Mode for unpublished works
• Agencies: Often use Optimization Mode for case studies and insights

The mode you choose should align with your overall content strategy and business objectives. Both approaches are valid—the key is understanding what each mode offers and choosing consciously.

Additional Resources

• Premium AI Analysis Guide - Deep dive into AI analysis features
• Account Settings Guide - Setting default preferences