# Key Concepts

Essential concepts to understand AIDP.

## AIDP Ecosystem

![AIDP Ecosystem Overview](https://2687700396-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FF8uzz8ItUjkBw81bmpg0%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ca455cd2efff883908a358e02c46203ccbc89b51%2Faidp-ecosystem.svg?alt=media)

**How it works**:

1. **Businesses** publish structured data to AIDP Platform
2. **AI Assistants** access data via MCP servers
3. **Consumers** discover businesses through AI conversations
4. **Platform** tracks upstream metrics and provides analytics

## Core Concepts

### Business Profile

A structured representation of a local business optimized for AI understanding.

**Includes**:

* Basic information (name, category, description)
* Location and service area
* Services and pricing
* Availability and hours
* Media (photos, videos)
* AI-exclusive content
* Trust signals (verification, reviews)

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/profile-setup)

### AI-Exclusive Content

Content specifically designed for AI platforms that isn't available elsewhere.

**Examples**:

* **Insider Tips**: "Ask for the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe - not on menu"
* **Local Secrets**: "We source beans directly from Colombian farmers"
* **Behind the Scenes**: "We roast every Tuesday morning"
* **Sustainability**: "100% compostable packaging"

**Why it matters**: Helps businesses differentiate and provides value to AI users.

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/profile-setup/exclusive-content)

### Analytics & Metrics

Analytics that track AI visibility and complement traditional metrics.

**Traditional Analytics**: Start at the click\
**AIDP Analytics**: Track citations, API calls, and click-throughs

**What we can measure**:

* **Citations**: When AI platforms quote or reference your business
* **API Calls**: When AI platforms access your profile data
* **Click-Throughs**: When citations lead to website visits
* **MCP Tool Invocations**: When AI platforms use MCP tools to access your data

**Note**: True "impressions" (mentions in AI responses) require cooperation from AI platforms. We track what we can measure - see [analytics capabilities](https://github.com/gugga7/aeo/blob/main/docs/ANALYTICS_CAPABILITIES.md) for details.

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/analytics/upstream-metrics)

### Intent Journey

The conversational path from first mention to conversion.

**Example Journey**:

```
1. User: "coffee shops in Portland"
2. AI mentions your business
3. User: "with outdoor seating"
4. AI cites your business
5. User: "that roast their own beans"
6. AI recommends your business
7. User books appointment
```

**Tracked data**:

* Initial query
* Refinements
* Citation moments
* Time to conversion
* Touchpoints

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/analytics/intent-journeys)

### MCP (Model Context Protocol)

An open standard for connecting AI assistants with external data sources.

**Think of it as**: "USB-C for AI"

**How it works**:

1. Business exposes data via MCP server
2. AI platform connects to MCP server
3. AI can query business data in real-time
4. Structured responses enable actions (booking, etc.)

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-developers/mcp-integration)

### AIDP Schema

The open standard defining how business data should be structured for AI platforms.

**Components**:

* Entity schemas (Business, Booking, Review, etc.)
* MCP tool catalog
* Validation rules
* Migration guides

**Governance**: Community-driven with Steering Committee

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/aidp-schema-open-standard/overview)

## Technical Concepts

### Protocol-Agnostic

AIDP works with any AI protocol, not just MCP.

**Supported protocols**:

* Model Context Protocol (MCP)
* ChatGPT Plugin API
* REST APIs
* GraphQL
* Custom protocols

**Benefit**: Future-proof as AI protocols evolve

### Business-Controlled Data

Unlike platform-locked data, businesses own their AIDP data.

**Characteristics**:

* Portable across platforms
* No vendor lock-in
* Direct relationships with AI platforms
* Export anytime

### Verification Levels

Trust signals indicating business legitimacy.

**Levels**:

* **Basic**: Email verified
* **Certified**: Business documents verified
* **Elite**: Enhanced verification + track record

**Benefits**: Higher visibility, trust signals, priority in results

[Learn more →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/verification)

### Free Forever Model

AIDP is **completely free** during beta with all features unlocked.

**Everything Included**:

* Full business profile with AI-exclusive content
* Complete analytics suite (upstream metrics, intent journeys)
* Unlimited API access
* All MCP tools and integrations
* Community support

**No Limitations**:

* No credit card required
* No trial period
* No feature restrictions
* No hidden costs

[Learn more →](https://github.com/gugga7/aeo/blob/main/docs/gitbook/business/subscription.md)

## User Roles

### Business Owner

Creates and manages business profiles.

**Can**:

* Create/update profile
* Add services and pricing
* Manage bookings
* View analytics
* Respond to reviews

[Getting started →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/getting-started)

### Consumer

Discovers businesses through AI assistants.

**Can**:

* Search businesses
* View profiles
* Make bookings
* Submit reviews
* Access exclusive content

### Developer

Builds on AIDP Schema or integrates with platform.

**Can**:

* Use AIDP API
* Implement MCP servers
* Create integrations
* Contribute to schema

[Developer docs →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-developers/overview)

### AI Platform

Integrates AIDP for business discovery.

**Can**:

* Connect via MCP
* Query business data
* Enable bookings
* Track analytics

[Integration guide →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-ai-platform-developers/overview)

## Workflow Concepts

### Onboarding

Process of setting up a business profile.

**Steps**:

1. Create account
2. Basic information
3. Services and pricing
4. AI-exclusive content
5. Media upload
6. Review and publish

**Time**: \~30 minutes

[Onboarding guide →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/onboarding)

### Booking Flow

Process of making a reservation.

**Steps**:

1. Check availability
2. Select time slot
3. Provide customer info
4. Confirm booking
5. Receive confirmation

**Integration**: Native via MCP or API

[Booking API →](https://github.com/gugga7/aeo/blob/main/docs/gitbook/developers/api-reference/booking.md)

### Review Workflow

Process of submitting and managing reviews.

**Steps**:

1. Consumer submits review
2. Moderation (if needed)
3. Review published
4. Business can respond
5. Aggregated in ratings

[Review system →](https://github.com/gugga7/aeo/blob/main/docs/gitbook/business/reviews.md)

## Glossary

**AIDP**: AI Discovery Platform\
**MCP**: Model Context Protocol\
**Upstream Metrics**: Pre-click visibility tracking\
**Intent Journey**: Conversational path to conversion\
**Zero-Click**: Impression without click\
**Citation**: AI quoting/referencing business\
**Boost Signals**: Keywords for AI ranking\
**Exclusive Content**: AI-only business information

[Full glossary →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/resources/glossary)

## Next Steps

* [Quick Start Guide](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/getting-started/quick-start)
* [Platform vs Schema](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/getting-started/platform-vs-schema)
* [Business Owner Guide](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/getting-started)
* [Developer Guide](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-developers/overview)