Tier 4 — Entity and Authority: Wikidata, KG, sameAs threading

Originally published at thatdevpro.com. This article is part of the 14-tier Engine Optimization stack from ThatDevPro, an SDVOSB-certified veteran-owned web + AI engineering studio. You are reading the Dev.to republish; the canonical source is on ThatDevPro.com. Source repo for the AI-citation surfaces: github.com/Janady13/aio-surfaces.

Tier Explanation: This tier builds defensible long-term brand authority through advanced entity positioning, proactive reputation management, earned media, thought leadership, and competitive moat-building. Tier 4 assumes the foundational entity work (schema, Wikidata, Knowledge Panel claim, author bios) from Tiers 1–3 is already in place — this tier is about cementing the brand as a recognized industry entity that AI engines, journalists, and prospects treat as authoritative. All actions execute on website pages, schema markup, public data feeds, and supporting infrastructure.

Related Frameworks

This tier implements the following framework documents in the /Framework/ library. Consult them for canonical reference, audit rubrics, and detailed implementation patterns.

• framework-knowledgegraph.md — Wikidata claim, Knowledge Panel, sameAs
• framework-eeat.md — Authority and Trustworthiness signals
• framework-linkbuilding.md — Earned backlinks, outreach
• framework-digitalpr.md — Press release, media outreach, brand-to-citation conversion
• framework-trustsignals.md — Badges, certifications, transparency
• framework-entitysalience.md — Entity authority across the site

A. Personal & Founder Brand (3)

1. PBO — Personal Brand Optimization

• Build personal brand hub at /about/[your-name]/ with full bio, credentials, photo, speaking history, books, podcast appearances
• Add comprehensive Person schema with sameAs, knowsAbout, alumniOf, award, hasOccupation
• Cross-reference founder Person schema in Organization schema via founder property
• Maintain consistent professional headshot across all platforms (same photo on LinkedIn, X, Wikidata, your site)
• Build out personal site at separate domain (joseph-anady.com) with reciprocal sameAs linking
• Publish under consistent byline across owned and earned media — never use variations
• Document expertise areas in knowsAbout array matching topics you publish on
• Build personal email list and gated content that establishes direct audience relationship

Code Example — Comprehensive Person schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/#person",
  "name": "Joseph W. Anady",
  "givenName": "Joseph",
  "familyName": "Anady",
  "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Developer",
  "url": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/",
  "image": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/joseph-anady.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138610626",
    "https://huggingface.co/Janady07",
    "https://linkedin.com/in/josephanady",
    "https://x.com/josephanady"
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Web Development",
    "Search Engine Optimization",
    "AI Engine Optimization",
    "Cybersecurity"
  ],
  "alumniOf": [
    {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Colorado State University"}
  ],
  "hasCredential": [
    {"@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "BA Computer Engineering"},
    {"@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name": "MA Cybersecurity"}
  ],
  "worksFor": {"@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"}
}
</script>

• Validation: Person schema validates, knowledge panel candidate eligibility confirmed, branded name search returns 100% owned/favorable results on first page

2. FBO — Founder-Led Content Optimization

• Publish under founder byline on flagship content — founder-authored pieces outperform anonymous brand content for AI citation
• Build founder content calendar: weekly LinkedIn posts, monthly long-form, quarterly original research
• Create dedicated founder content hub at /insights/[founder-name]/ listing all founder-authored pieces
• Cross-publish founder content: LinkedIn article → company blog → newsletter → X thread → podcast topic
• Maintain consistent founder voice and POV across all channels (AI engines pattern-match author voice)
• Add Article schema with founder as author on every founder-bylined piece
• Build "From the Founder" newsletter with archive page indexed for SEO and AI retrieval
• Document founder's specific opinions and predictions — these get cited as expert positions

Code Example — Founder-authored article schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "Why Most SEO Agencies Get AI Search Wrong",
  "author": {
    "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/#person"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"
  },
  "datePublished": "2026-04-15",
  "dateModified": "2026-04-29",
  "mainEntityOfPage": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/insights/ai-search-mistakes/",
  "about": {
    "@type": "Thing",
    "name": "AI Search Optimization"
  }
}
</script>

• Validation: Founder byline appears on at least 50% of flagship content, founder content gets cited in AI answers more frequently than unbylined content

3. SAO — Speaking Authority Optimization

• Build dedicated /speaking/ page listing all conference talks, podcast appearances, webinars, panels
• Add Event schema for upcoming and past speaking engagements with full venue, date, audience info
• Embed video recordings of talks with full transcripts on owned domain
• Add VideoObject schema with transcript, chapters, creator linked to founder Person schema
• Maintain media kit page with high-res photos, bio variants (50/100/200 words), topic list, sample questions
• Pursue podcast appearances on shows in your topical niche — every appearance earns a backlink + entity mention
• Cross-link talks back to written long-form on same topic (Article + Video schema reinforce each other)
• Build "Book Joseph for Your Event" CTA with calendar integration on speaking page

Code Example — Speaking event schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Event",
  "name": "AI Search Optimization Summit 2026",
  "startDate": "2026-06-15T09:00",
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Denver Convention Center",
    "address": {
      "@type": "PostalAddress",
      "addressLocality": "Denver",
      "addressRegion": "CO"
    }
  },
  "performer": {
    "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/#person"
  },
  "description": "Keynote on the 14-tier engine optimization framework",
  "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled"
}
</script>

• Validation: Speaking page shows 5+ engagements per year, every engagement earns a backlink + entity mention, founder appears in industry "top voices" lists

B. Reputation Management (3)

4. REO — Reputation Engine Optimization

• Display "Reviews & Testimonials" section on homepage, About page, and high-intent service pages
• Embed verified review widgets (Google, Trustpilot, Clutch) — server-side render to ensure schema is indexed
• Add Review and AggregateRating schema to product/service pages with real, verified reviews only
• Build a dedicated /reviews/ page aggregating all platform reviews with response history
• Respond to every review (positive and negative) within 48 hours — response demonstrates accountability
• Convert detailed positive reviews into testimonial features with permission and link to reviewer's site
• Display industry awards, certifications, and accreditations with logos and verifiable links
• Refresh testimonials quarterly so AI engines see active social proof

Code Example — AggregateRating + Review schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ProfessionalService",
  "name": "ThatDeveloperGuy",
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "4.9",
    "reviewCount": "127",
    "bestRating": "5"
  },
  "review": [{
    "@type": "Review",
    "reviewRating": {"@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5"},
    "author": {"@type": "Person", "name": "Eugene M."},
    "datePublished": "2026-03-22",
    "reviewBody": "Built our entire AllRideLimo site and SEO foundation in three weeks..."
  }]
}
</script>

• Validation: AggregateRating displays in SERP, review count grows month-over-month, response rate above 95%

5. RMO — Review Management Optimization

• Implement automated review request workflow: post-service email/SMS at 3, 7, and 14 days
• Use review gating ethically — direct happy customers to public review platforms, unhappy ones to private feedback
• Build review acquisition page at /leave-a-review/ with one-click links to Google, Trustpilot, Clutch
• Add QR code on invoices, business cards, and service deliveries linking to review page
• Track review velocity per platform — Google reviews carry most weight for local SERP and AI citation
• Maintain response templates per review type (5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star, 1-star) with personalization fields
• Pursue 20+ reviews on primary platform within first 90 days for new businesses
• Monitor review removal/disputes via Google Business Profile and respond to suspicious negative reviews

Code Example — Review request page with multi-platform CTA:

<section class="review-request">
  <h1>Leave a Review for ThatDeveloperGuy</h1>
  <p>Your feedback helps us improve and helps others find us. Thank you!</p>
  <div class="review-platforms">
    <a href="https://g.page/r/your-google-id/review" rel="noopener">
      <img src="/icons/google.svg" alt="Google" width="48" height="48">
      Review on Google
    </a>
    <a href="https://trustpilot.com/evaluate/thatdeveloperguy.com" rel="noopener">
      <img src="/icons/trustpilot.svg" alt="Trustpilot" width="48" height="48">
      Review on Trustpilot
    </a>
    <a href="https://clutch.co/profile/thatdeveloperguy/review" rel="noopener">
      <img src="/icons/clutch.svg" alt="Clutch" width="48" height="48">
      Review on Clutch
    </a>
  </div>
</section>

• Validation: Review request automation active, 30+ verified reviews on Google within 6 months, response rate 100%

6. CDO — Crisis & Defense Optimization

• Audit brand SERP monthly for negative results, ranking complaints, or reputation threats
• Build defensive content hub: positive case studies, success stories, awards page — all targeting brand SERP positions 1–10
• Maintain crisis response page template at /statement/ with proper noindex flag (deploy live only when needed)
• Document crisis response protocol: who responds, where, with what authority, within what timeframe
• Pre-build Q&A pages for common reputation queries ("Is [brand] legit?", "[brand] complaints", "[brand] scam")
• Use Statement schema on official position pages to clarify brand stance on issues
• Monitor social mentions via Brand24, Mention, or Google Alerts — respond within 4 hours during business hours
• Maintain vendor/media contact list for rapid PR response

Code Example — Defensive Q&A page schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "Is ThatDeveloperGuy a legitimate web development agency?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "ThatDeveloperGuy is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) based in Cassville, MO, founded by Joseph W. Anady (BA Computer Engineering, MA Cybersecurity). The company hosts 130+ active client sites, maintains verified profiles on Wikidata (Q138610626), and operates under DUNS verification."
    }
  }]
}
</script>

• Validation: First page of brand SERP is 100% owned or favorable, zero unaddressed negative reviews in past 30 days, crisis response protocol documented

C. Earned Media & PR (3)

7. DPR — Digital PR Optimization

• Build comprehensive press kit page at /press/ with: high-res logos (PNG, SVG, transparent), founder photos, brand colors, fact sheet, executive bios
• Add downloadable media files in ZIP and individual formats with proper attribution requirements
• Create press release archive at /press/releases/ with NewsArticle schema on every release
• Maintain journalist contact form with structured fields (publication, deadline, topic, expert needed)
• Pursue digital PR campaigns around proprietary data, industry studies, and contrarian positions
• Build relationships with 5–10 trade journalists in your niche — relationships beat distribution lists
• Track every earned mention with backlink status, audience size, and traffic referral
• Use Article and NewsArticle schema with isBasedOn linking back to original source on your domain

Code Example — Press kit page with NewsArticle schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebPage",
  "name": "Press Kit & Media Resources",
  "url": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/press/",
  "about": {"@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"},
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "DownloadAction",
    "target": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/press/media-kit.zip",
    "name": "Download Full Media Kit"
  }
}
</script>

<section class="press-kit">
  <h1>Press Kit</h1>
  <a href="/press/media-kit.zip" download>Download Full Media Kit (ZIP)</a>
  <a href="/press/fact-sheet.pdf" download>Company Fact Sheet (PDF)</a>
  <a href="/press/founder-bio.pdf" download>Founder Bio (PDF)</a>
  <a href="/press/logos/">Logo Pack (PNG/SVG)</a>
</section>

• Validation: Press kit downloaded 10+ times per quarter, 3+ earned media placements per quarter, journalist contact form generates verified inquiries

8. EAO — Earned Authority Optimization

• Create dedicated /featured-in/ page with logos, quotes, and links to every earned media mention
• Display "As Seen In" logo strip on homepage, About page, and high-conversion landing pages
• Embed actual quotes from coverage with Quotation schema and citation linking to source
• Update featured-in page within 7 days of every new mention
• Pursue tier-1 publication mentions strategically — one Forbes mention beats ten low-tier blog mentions for AI citation weight
• Convert media coverage into shareable assets: quote graphics, video clips, social posts
• Maintain logo permission documentation per publication for legal protection
• Build automated alert + add-to-page workflow when new mentions are detected

Code Example — Featured-in section with structured data:

<section class="featured-in" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization">
  <h2>Featured In</h2>
  <ul class="logo-strip">
    <li><a href="https://forbes.com/article-url" rel="noopener">
      <img src="/logos/forbes.svg" alt="Forbes" width="120" height="40">
    </a></li>
    <li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/article-url" rel="noopener">
      <img src="/logos/techcrunch.svg" alt="TechCrunch" width="120" height="40">
    </a></li>
  </ul>
</section>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Quotation",
  "text": "ThatDeveloperGuy's 14-tier optimization framework represents one of the most comprehensive AI search strategies we've reviewed.",
  "spokenByCharacter": {"@type": "Person", "name": "Jane Reporter"},
  "isPartOf": {
    "@type": "NewsArticle",
    "url": "https://forbes.com/article-url",
    "publisher": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Forbes"}
  }
}
</script>

• Validation: Featured-in page lists 10+ earned mentions, logo permissions documented, 80% of mentions include backlink

9. EXO — Expert Network Optimization

• Sign up for active source platforms: Qwoted, Help A B2B Writer, Featured, SourceBottle, Terkel
• Build expert profile pages on each platform with consistent bio, expertise areas, and credentials
• Create internal /expert-commentary/ library — pre-written commentary on common journalist topics
• Maintain response template library by topic: 50–150 word expert quotes ready to customize and send
• Track response rate, placement rate, and resulting backlinks per platform monthly
• Pursue 5–10 source responses per week — volume game until relationships form
• Direct outreach to journalists who cover your niche — bypass platforms once relationship exists
• Add Person schema with knowsAbout matching the topics you respond to

Code Example — Expert commentary internal library page:

<article class="expert-quote-template" data-topic="ai-search">
  <h3>AI Search Optimization — Quote Template</h3>
  <blockquote>
    "The shift from keyword optimization to entity-based search has been more
    seismic than mobile-first indexing. Brands that don't have schema, Wikidata
    presence, and consistent author entities are invisible to ChatGPT and
    Perplexity citations — regardless of their Google rankings."
  </blockquote>
  <p><strong>Length:</strong> 47 words | <strong>Last updated:</strong> 2026-04-29</p>
  <p><strong>Customization fields:</strong> [publication], [angle], [stat]</p>
</article>

• Validation: 3+ source platform profiles active, 2+ earned media placements per month from source responses, average response time under 2 hours

D. Brand Authority Signals (3)

10. BMO — Brand Mention Optimization

• Set up unlinked brand mention monitoring via Brand24, Mention, Google Alerts, or Talkwalker
• Build automated alert workflow: every unlinked mention triggers outreach to convert to backlink
• Maintain /mentions/ page (or hidden admin equivalent) tracking all mentions: linked, unlinked, sentiment, status
• Use Mention schema on pages where brand is referenced significantly
• Track mentions across formats: text, podcast (audio mentions count), video transcripts, social posts
• Convert unlinked mentions to backlinks at 25%+ rate via direct outreach with link suggestion
• Add brand name + alternate spellings to monitoring (catch misspellings, abbreviations)
• Use additionalName in Organization schema to declare alternate brand names

Code Example — Mention schema and alternate names:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization",
  "name": "ThatDeveloperGuy",
  "alternateName": [
    "That Developer Guy",
    "TDG",
    "ThatDeveloperGuy.com"
  ],
  "mentions": [{
    "@type": "Thing",
    "name": "AI Search Optimization"
  }, {
    "@type": "Thing",
    "name": "Engine Optimization Framework"
  }]
}
</script>

• Validation: Brand mention monitoring active, 25%+ unlinked mention conversion rate, alternate names tracked across SERP

11. BAA — Brand Association Optimization

• Build content hubs combining brand name with priority topics: "ThatDeveloperGuy AI Search Guide", "ThatDeveloperGuy SEO Framework"
• Use exact branded phrases in H1, meta titles, and URL slugs on flagship pages
• Add Brand schema with topic associations via mentions and about
• Train AI engines on brand+topic associations through repetition across owned and earned content
• Pursue branded keyword volume growth — branded search is the strongest entity authority signal
• Create proprietary frameworks/methodologies named after the brand (e.g., "TDG 14-Tier Framework")
• Trademark distinctive frameworks and use ™ symbol for legal and SEO signaling
• Cross-link brand+topic pages internally to reinforce association in Google's entity graph

Code Example — Brand association schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "The ThatDeveloperGuy 14-Tier Engine Optimization Framework™",
  "about": [{
    "@type": "Brand",
    "name": "ThatDeveloperGuy",
    "@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"
  }, {
    "@type": "Thing",
    "name": "Search Engine Optimization"
  }, {
    "@type": "Thing",
    "name": "AI Engine Optimization"
  }],
  "mentions": [
    {"@type": "Thing", "name": "Answer Engine Optimization"},
    {"@type": "Thing", "name": "Generative Engine Optimization"}
  ]
}
</script>

• Validation: Branded search volume growing month-over-month, brand+topic queries return owned domain in position 1, trademark filings on distinctive frameworks

12. TLO — Thought Leadership Optimization

• Publish original research at minimum quarterly cadence — proprietary data is the highest-citation content type
• Build research methodology page documenting how studies are conducted (transparency = citability)
• Provide downloadable data in CSV/JSON format alongside written analysis
• Host data on stable URL with clear license (CC-BY recommended for citation traction)
• Take contrarian or strongly-opinionated positions on industry topics — neutral content doesn't get cited
• Build "industry predictions" content annually — gets cited throughout the year as benchmark
• Cross-promote research findings: blog post → LinkedIn article → newsletter → podcast → keynote
• Use Dataset and ScholarlyArticle schema for research content

Code Example — Research dataset schema:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "name": "ThatDeveloperGuy AI Citation Study 2026",
  "description": "Analysis of 1,247 client sites measuring AI engine citation rates across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini after 14-tier optimization.",
  "creator": {"@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"},
  "datePublished": "2026-04-15",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "distribution": [{
    "@type": "DataDownload",
    "encodingFormat": "text/csv",
    "contentUrl": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/research/ai-citation-2026.csv"
  }, {
    "@type": "DataDownload",
    "encodingFormat": "application/json",
    "contentUrl": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/research/ai-citation-2026.json"
  }],
  "keywords": ["AI search", "citation rate", "GEO", "AEO"]
}
</script>

• Validation: 4+ original research pieces per year, research data cited externally, AI engines surface research findings in answers

E. Competitive & Backlink (2)

13. CIO — Competitive Intelligence Optimization

• Maintain internal /admin/competitor-analysis/ (password-protected, noindex) tracking 5–10 SERP competitors
• Document each competitor: content cadence, schema usage, backlink velocity, ranking changes, AI citation appearances
• Build public "How We Compare" tables with verifiable, factual differentiators
• Use ComparativeStatement or comparison tables with structured data on alternatives pages
• Create dedicated comparison pages: "[Brand] vs [Competitor]" — these capture high-intent commercial queries
• Update comparison content monthly — stale comparisons damage credibility when competitors evolve
• Cite sources for every competitive claim — unsourced claims read as spin, sourced claims build authority
• Avoid disparagement — focus on factual differentiators and your unique strengths

Code Example — Comparison page with structured data:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "ThatDeveloperGuy vs Generic SEO Agency: 2026 Comparison",
  "about": {"@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/#organization"},
  "mainEntity": {
    "@type": "Table",
    "about": "Service comparison: features, pricing, support, results"
  }
}
</script>

<table class="comparison-table">
  <thead>
    <tr><th>Feature</th><th>ThatDeveloperGuy</th><th>Typical Agency</th></tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>14-Tier Optimization Framework</td>
      <td>✓ All 112+ optimizations</td>
      <td>✗ Standard SEO only</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>AI Search Optimization (T3)</td>
      <td>✓ 14 AI-specific optimizations</td>
      <td>✗ Not offered</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Self-Managed Hosting</td>
      <td>✓ Bubbles server, 130+ sites</td>
      <td>✗ Third-party reseller</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

• Validation: Comparison pages rank for "[brand] vs [competitor]" queries, internal competitor dashboard updated monthly, 5+ comparison pages live

14. BAO — Backlink Authority Optimization

• Build linkable assets first: original research, free tools, calculators, ultimate guides on dedicated pages
• Add prominent "Cite This" button on every research and data page with copy-paste citation block
• Add Citation schema and BibTeX/APA/MLA citation formats on research pages
• Pursue tier-1 backlinks strategically (DR 70+ domains) via digital PR and original data
• Use broken link building: find competitor backlinks pointing to dead pages, pitch your live equivalent
• Pursue resource page inclusion via direct outreach to maintainers
• Run guest contribution strategy on tier-1 sites only — skip low-quality guest post networks
• Track new vs lost referring domains monthly — net positive growth is the KPI, not raw link count

Code Example — Citation block + Citation schema:

<section class="cite-this">
  <h3>Cite This Research</h3>
  <div class="citation-formats">
    <button onclick="copyAPA()">Copy APA</button>
    <button onclick="copyMLA()">Copy MLA</button>
    <button onclick="copyBibTeX()">Copy BibTeX</button>
  </div>
  <pre id="apa">Anady, J. W. (2026). AI Citation Study 2026. ThatDeveloperGuy. https://thatdeveloperguy.com/research/ai-citation-2026/</pre>
</section>

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ScholarlyArticle",
  "headline": "AI Citation Study 2026",
  "author": {"@id": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/about/joseph-anady/#person"},
  "datePublished": "2026-04-15",
  "citation": {
    "@type": "CreativeWork",
    "identifier": "https://thatdeveloperguy.com/research/ai-citation-2026/"
  }
}
</script>

• Validation: Domain Rating trending up, new referring domains exceed lost monthly, 3+ tier-1 (DR 70+) backlinks per quarter, "Cite This" button used 50+ times per quarter

Summary

• Total items: 14
• Sub-clusters: 5 (Personal & Founder Brand, Reputation Management, Earned Media & PR, Brand Authority Signals, Competitive & Backlink)
• Format: Each item includes 7–8 implementation steps, a code example (HTML/JSON-LD), and a validation criterion
• Net change from original: 6 dropped (overlap with prior tiers + dead HARO), 6 added, 8 kept and refined
• Position in stack: Authority capstone — depends on Tiers 1–3, this is where strategic, relationship-based, reputation work cements long-term defensibility

About this series

This is one of 14 articles in ThatDevPro's Engine Optimization stack — a productized SEO + AEO + AIO + GEO service. Each tier is a self-contained framework with concrete checklists, validation steps, and code patterns.

Canonical source for this article: https://www.thatdevpro.com/insights/seo-tier-4-entity-and-authority/

The 14-tier series:

1. Tier 1 — Foundation
2. Tier 2 — Search Visibility
3. Tier 3 — AI Domination
4. Tier 4 — Entity and Authority
5. Tier 5 — Local Domination
6. Tier 6 — Content and Multimedia
7. Tier 7 — Social and Community
8. Tier 8 — Data, Analytics, Conversion
9. Tier 9 — Monitoring and Intelligence
10. Tier 10 — Workflow and Operations
11. Tier 11 — Marketplace and Retail
12. Tier 12 — International
13. Tier 14 — Advanced and Immersive

Tier 13 is retired.

Need this implemented on your site? ThatDevPro ships the full 14-tier stack as a productized service. SDVOSB-certified veteran-owned. Cassville, Missouri. See the Engine Optimization service.

Open-source tooling powering this series:

• aio-surfaces — Python toolkit (MIT) for generating llms.txt + aeo.json + entity.json + brand.json
• llms.txt generator — live Hugging Face Space