Free resource
The Visibility & Trust Checklist for Local Organizations.
A practical checklist for showing up clearly in Google, AI search, maps, reviews, schema, accessibility, and local media. Built for nonprofits, municipalities, local businesses, and events. Check off what you have, and see where the gaps are.
Search foundation (SEO)
- Every page has a unique title and meta description
- Clean, readable URLs and a working XML sitemap
- Mobile-friendly and fast (Core Web Vitals in the green)
- A logical heading order with one H1 per page
- Internal links connect related pages
AI search & GEO
- Key pages answer the real question in the first sentence
- FAQs written in plain Q&A with FAQPage schema
- Clear entity naming (who you are, where, what you do)
- You appear in ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for your category
- An llms.txt summary for AI crawlers
Google Business Profile & maps
- Profile claimed, with accurate hours, category, and service area
- Recent photos and regular posts
- Consistent name, address, phone across the web
- Questions and answers monitored
Reviews & reputation
- A steady stream of recent, genuine reviews
- Reviews answered on a set cadence
- Coverage across the platforms your buyers check
- Sentiment monitored, not just star count
Structured data (schema)
- Organization or LocalBusiness markup
- BreadcrumbList on inner pages
- FAQPage on pages with questions
- Article markup on posts and case studies
Accessibility (WCAG / Title II)
- Descriptive alt text on meaningful images
- Sufficient color contrast and visible focus states
- Full keyboard navigation and a working skip link
- Form fields with proper labels
- Reduced-motion support for animations (our partner AX4E can audit this)
Social proof & content
- Case studies or wins with real numbers
- Recognizable client logos or partners
- Testimonials with names and roles
- Helpful content written to be cited, not skimmed
Trust & PR readiness
- An About/owner page that builds credibility
- Clear contact info and policies (privacy, fulfillment)
- Third-party mentions and citations
- Basic crisis and reputation plan in place
FAQ
Who is this checklist for?
Local organizations that need to be found and trusted: nonprofits, municipalities, local businesses, and events. It works for any brand that lives on search, AI answers, maps, reviews, and word of mouth.
What is GEO, and why is it on a visibility checklist?
GEO is Generative Engine Optimization: helping AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity mention and recommend your brand. It belongs here because buyers now ask AI before they search, so being citable matters as much as ranking.
Do I need all of this at once?
No. Start where you are weakest. The point is to see the whole picture so a gap in one place (say, accessibility or reviews) doesn't quietly cost you the customer.
Can Mention Group just do this for us?
Yes. We run the audit, fix the gaps, and report progress, with a Brand Scorecard and a prioritized 30/60/90 plan. Accessibility is handled with our independent partner AX4E.
This checklist is the short version of how we think. If you’d rather not DIY, we run the whole audit and hand you a prioritized 30/60/90 plan. Get your Brand Scorecard.
Turn the checklist into a plan