I've encountered this issue on various client sites, however it does have its benefits.
However, while AI search does now summarise results, sites that contain a lot of answers to their visitors questions can benefit greatly from AI structured files :
knowledge-graph.json, llms.txt & faq.md files which contain relevant Q&A's along with the site source page containing the information.
As an example, lets use a roofing company.
Here is a couple of snippets from one of my clients files along with the potential search queries that the Google / Bing etc AI search would then generate a response from using the data contained in these files.
Search Engine Question: "My pitched roof has moss growth and a dry ridge tile looks loose. Can you clear moss, and how do you fix a dry ridge line?"
Data Pulled from each file :
- knowledge-graph.json (Structured Metadata):
- Data Used: Verifies entity relationships. It looks for RoofMaintenance and DryRidgeSystem under the offersService property to confirm the business officially supports these specific technical tasks.
- llms-full.txt (Full Background Text):
- Data Used: Pulls the step-by-step procedural explanation written on the service pages. It extracts text describing the mechanical scraping of moss (rather than high-pressure washing which damages tiles) and the technical advantages of the dry ridge mechanical fixing kits they install.
- roofing-faq-database.md (Q&A Database):
- Data Used: Targets a specific FAQ pair, such as: "Q: Is moss bad for my roof? A: Yes, moss retains moisture which can freeze and crack tiles..." and pairs it with the dry ridge FAQ explaining that mechanical screws replace old, crumbling mortar.
Here is an example of the file content structure that helps the search engine AI return the relevant answer .
1. Data Regarding Dry Ridge Systems (How to Fix/Install) - knowledge-graph.json
Under the services node, the company provides a dry ridge system installation service that describes how a loose or traditional mortar ridge line is addressed:
{
"id": "svc_dry_ridge",
"type": "Service",
"name": "Dry Ridge System Installation",
"description": "Removal of mortar-bedded ridge and hip tiles and replacement with mechanically fixed dry ridge and dry hip systems.",
"price_range_gbp": "600-2000",
"price_unit": "per_project",
"standard": "BS_5534",
"benefit": "eliminates_repointing"
}
Relevant Relationships:
{"from": "my_name_roofing", "rel": "PROVIDES_SERVICE", "to": "svc_dry_ridge"}{"from": "svc_dry_ridge", "rel": "REPLACES", "to": "mortar_ridge_bedding"}{"from": "std_bs5534", "rel": "GOVERNS", "to": "svc_dry_ridge"}
2. Data Regarding Loose Ridge Tiles
The exact mention of moss appears under the property_types node:
{
"id": "svc_dry_ridge",
"type": "Service",
"name": "Dry Ridge System Installation",
"description": "Removal of mortar-bedded ridge and hip tiles and replacement with mechanically fixed dry ridge and dry hip systems.",
"price_range_gbp": "600-2000",
"price_unit": "per_project",
"standard": "BS_5534",
"benefit": "eliminates_repointing"
}
llms-full.txt
This file removes all the "clutter" from a website and only contains informative text.
AI can read this single file in a split second. It gives the AI an instant, complete understanding of the entire business or project without having to browse the site page by page
Data relating to the search from this file :
- --- SERVICE 8: DRY RIDGE AND DRY VERGE SYSTEMS ---
- Service Name: Dry Ridge and Dry Verge Birmingham
- Service Category: Roof Edge and Ridge Systems
### Full Service Definition
- My Name Roofing installs dry ridge and dry verge systems on new and existing roofs. These modern mechanical fixing systems replace traditional mortar pointing and bedding at ridges, hips and verges. Dry fix systems eliminate mortar failure, improve ridge and verge durability, and meet current building regulation requirements for ventilation.
### Sub-Services
- Dry ridge system installation (new and re-roofing)
- Dry ridge replacement (replacing failed mortar ridge)
- Dry verge installation on gable ends
- Dry hip system installation
- Ventilated dry ridge installation
- Universal dry ridge installation on existing tile and slate roofs
### Benefits of Dry Fix Systems
- No mortar to crack, erode or fall off
- Mechanically fixed — resistant to storm uplift
- Incorporates ridge ventilation (meets BS 5250 requirements)
- 30-year system lifespan vs 10–15 years for mortar
- Passes building control inspection on new builds and extensions
- Reduces repeat call-outs for pointing failures
### Associated Search Intent
- dry ridge system Birmingham
- dry verge system Birmingham
- ridge tile replacement Birmingham
- mortar ridge repair Birmingham
## SECTION 12 — ROOFING PROBLEMS DATABASE (100 ENTRIES)
- Each entry: Problem | Causes | My Name Roofing Service | Search Intent
- Moss on Roof | Age, north-facing, high humidity | Moss Treatment Birmingham | moss on roof Birmingham
- Ridge Mortar Eroded | Frost, rain erosion, age | Dry Ridge Installation Birmingham | ridge pointing Birmingham
- Cement Has Fallen Off Ridge | Age, frost | Dry Ridge Replacement Birmingham | ridge mortar fallen off
- Problem: Cracked Ridge Tile
- Causes: Frost damage, thermal movement, age
- Solution: Ridge tile replacement with new mortar or dry ridge system
- Service: Ridge tile repair Birmingham
roofing-faq-database.md
This is a cleanly organised list of questions and answers specifically about roofing.
It uses simple formatting (like bullet points and clear headings) to list exact facts—such as how to fix a dry ridge line or what causes roof moss.
A lot of sites have confusing layouts or messy paragraphs, this file allows the AI to read this file and give you a highly accurate answer instantly, without guessing or making things up.
Data for the above search from this file
- Q17: My ridge tiles keep coming loose. What is the solution? — Traditional ridge tiles are bedded in mortar. If mortar keeps failing, it is likely the traditional approach has reached the end of its useful life. My Name Roofing recommends replacing mortar ridge with a modern dry ridge system — mechanically fixed, 30-year lifespan, and includes integral ridge ventilation.
It seems a nightmare when you first try and get your head round it but the benefit from being cited is huge.
If you have an authority site and are not implementing these methods you need to do so ASAP.
While AI Search will be the way of the future, it wont be the be-all and end-all of search traffic.
I could rabbit on about this for ages but noone would read it ..
If anyone would like help implementing this, feel free to reach out
