From Table Layouts to LLMs: Why I'm shifting focus to AI-Readiness after 20 years

Hi DEV Community!

I’ve been a Webmaster and Photographer in Florence, Italy, for over two decades. I’ve seen the web evolve from the early days of table-based layouts to the current AI-driven landscape.

The Shift from SEO to AEO

After 20 years of watching the web change, I’ve realized that traditional SEO is no longer enough. It’s no longer just about keywords; it’s about how LLMs like ChatGPT and Perplexity parse and "understand" our data.

To help navigate this shift, I’ve been working on a project called LinkNabber. My goal was to create a straightforward way to check "AI-Readiness" and optimize for Answer Engines (AEO) using:

• Proper Schema.org markup


• Semantic HTML


• Strong E-E-A-T signals

I built this tool for myself and other independent creators who want to keep their sites visible in the age of AI without relying on bloated, third-party platforms.

If you’re curious about how AI sees your site, feel free to try it out:

https://linknabber.com

I’d love to hear from other veterans or developers who are navigating this transition from traditional search to AI citations.

Cheers from Tuscany!