The 2026 Dealership SEO Audit Checklist
SEO audits in 2026 go beyond meta tags and page speed. This checklist covers traditional SEO, structured data, AI visibility, Google Business Profile, and content infrastructure - everything a dealership needs to compete in the modern search landscape.
Traditional SEO Foundations
These are the basics - and they still matter. If any of these are missing, everything else you build sits on a shaky foundation.
9 items
Title tags include city + dealership + primary keyword
Meta descriptions are unique and compelling on every page
H1 tags are present and properly structured
Internal linking connects related content
Page speed scores above 70 on mobile
Mobile experience is clean and functional
XML sitemap is submitted and current
Robots.txt isn't blocking important pages
No duplicate content issues across model pages
Structured Data & Schema
Structured data is how search engines and AI systems understand your content. Without it, you're hoping they figure it out on their own.
7 items
LocalBusiness schema on main pages
Vehicle schema on inventory pages (VIN, price, availability)
FAQPage schema on pages with questions
Article schema on blog/resource content
BreadcrumbList schema for navigation
Schema validated with Google Rich Results Test
Schema stays in sync when content changes
AI Visibility & GEO
This is the new frontier. AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews are reshaping how customers find dealerships. This section checks if you're visible where it counts.
7 items
Content leads with direct answers (30–50 words)
FAQ content addresses real customer questions
Author bylines and staff profiles on content pages
Topic clusters cover subjects comprehensively
Structured data covers all page types
Content is cited by at least one AI tool
llms.txt file exists at site root
Google Business Profile
GBP is one of the most powerful (and most neglected) tools a dealership has. It directly impacts local rankings, AI Overviews, and customer trust.
8 items
All business info is complete and accurate
Posts published weekly (minimum)
Photos updated monthly
Q&A section has owner-provided answers
Review responses within 24 hours
Service menu and categories are complete
Multiple relevant categories selected
Generating 40–60 new reviews per month
Content Infrastructure
Individual content pieces are tactics. A content system is infrastructure. This section checks whether your content operation is built to compound - or built to plateau.
8 items
Content strategy based on actual search demand (not guesses)
Topic clusters instead of isolated keyword pages
Content updated regularly (not just published and forgotten)
Multi-surface distribution (site + GBP + social)
Clear brand voice across all content
OEM (manufacturer) compliance maintained
Content performance tracked and reported
System compounds over time vs resetting each month
Your Score
Under 15
Your dealership is leaving visibility on the table. Competitors with stronger fundamentals are capturing the customers you're missing - in organic search and AI results alike.
15–25
You've got the basics covered, but there are gaps - likely in AI readiness or content infrastructure. Close those gaps and you'll pull ahead of most dealers in your market.
25+
You're ahead of 95% of dealerships. Keep building, keep publishing, and keep your structured data in sync. The compounding effect will only accelerate from here.
Want a Professional Audit?
This checklist gives you the framework. A Hrizn demo shows you exactly where you stand - and what to fix first.
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