# Glossary Key terms and concepts used in Yuba and AI discovery. *** ## A ### AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) Optimizing your business content and structured data so you appear in answer engines — AI assistants that directly answer user questions (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews). Yuba helps businesses optimize for AEO through structured, entity-rich profiles. ### AI Discovery The process by which AI assistants (like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) find and recommend businesses to users through natural language conversations. ### AIDP **AI Discovery Platform** — The original name for the Yuba open standard and platform. Now branded as **Yuba**. The NPM package `@aidp-protocol/core` and the public GitHub repo retain the AIDP name for backwards compatibility. ### Answer Engine A system that responds to user queries with direct answers (e.g. AI summaries, recommendations) rather than only links. Examples: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI Overviews. See also: [AEO](#aeo-answer-engine-optimization). ### API Key A unique identifier used to authenticate requests to the Yuba API. Found in your account settings. ### Attribution Tracking which AI platform or source led to a user discovering your business. *** ## B ### Business Profile A structured representation of your business in Yuba, including basic information, services, media, and AI-exclusive content. ### Benchmark Comparison of your business's AI discovery performance against category averages or competitors. *** ## C ### Citation When an AI assistant specifically mentions or recommends your business by name in a response to a user query. ### Citation Rate The percentage of impressions that result in citations. Formula: `(Citations / Impressions) × 100` ### Consumer API The Yuba API endpoint used by AI platforms to search for and retrieve business information. *** ## D ### Discovery Journey See [Intent Journey](#intent-journey) ### Downstream Analytics Traditional analytics that track user behavior after they visit your website or location (e.g., Google Analytics). *** ## E ### Embedding A vector representation of your business profile used by AI systems for semantic search and matching. ### Entity A distinct, identifiable thing (e.g. your business) that search and AI systems recognize by a set of attributes and relationships. Yuba profiles are structured so your business is a clear entity for entity-based search. ### Entity-Based Search Search and discovery that relies on structured entities (e.g. businesses with clear identity, attributes, and relationships) rather than only keywords. Optimizing for entity-based search means having consistent, structured data. Yuba profiles are designed for entity-based discovery. *** ## G ### GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) Optimizing content and structured data for generative AI systems (e.g. LLMs) so your business is more likely to be cited or summarized in AI-generated answers. Often used alongside AEO for LLM-powered search. Yuba supports both AEO and GEO. ### Generative Engine An AI system that generates answers (e.g. summaries, recommendations) from multiple sources. Optimizing for generative engines (GEO) helps your business appear in those answers. Examples: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google Gemini. *** ## I ### Impression When your business appears in an AI assistant's response, whether or not it's specifically cited. ### Insider Tips AI-exclusive content that provides unique insights about your business, only visible to AI assistants (not on your website). ### Intent Journey The progression of a user through awareness, consideration, and decision stages as they discover and choose your business through AI. ### Intent Stage A specific phase in the user's decision-making process: * **Awareness**: Learning about options * **Consideration**: Comparing specific businesses * **Decision**: Ready to visit/book *** ## J ### JSON-LD **JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data** — A structured data format used to embed Schema.org markup on web pages. Yuba profiles can be exported as JSON-LD so businesses can add structured data to their own websites for both search engines and AI crawlers. *** ## L ### LLM-Powered Search Search experiences driven by large language models that understand context and generate answers rather than returning ranked links. AEO and GEO both target LLM-powered search. See also: [AEO](#aeo-answer-engine-optimization), [GEO](#geo-generative-engine-optimization). ### Local Secrets Hidden gems or insider knowledge about your business that AI assistants can share with users. *** ## M ### MCP **Model Context Protocol** — An open standard for connecting AI assistants to external data sources. Yuba implements MCP for seamless AI integration. ### MCP Server A server that implements the Model Context Protocol, providing tools and resources to AI assistants. ### MCP Tool A specific function that AI assistants can call through MCP (e.g., `search_businesses`, `get_business_details`). *** ## O ### Organic Discovery When users find your business through natural AI conversations, without paid promotion. *** ## P ### Standard A standardized set of rules for data exchange. Yuba is both a standard (specification) and a platform (implementation). *** ## Q ### Query A user's question or request to an AI assistant (e.g., "Find coffee shops near me"). ### Query Intent The underlying goal or purpose behind a user's query (e.g., informational, navigational, transactional). *** ## R ### Rate Limit The maximum number of API requests allowed within a specific time period (e.g., 10 requests per minute). ### RLS **Row Level Security** — Database security that ensures users can only access their own organization's data. *** ## S ### Schema A structured format for organizing data. The Yuba Schema defines how business information should be formatted for AI discovery. ### Schema.org A collaborative vocabulary for structured data on the web, maintained by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Yandex. Yuba profiles can be exported as Schema.org-compatible JSON-LD. See also: [JSON-LD](#json-ld). ### SDK **Software Development Kit** — A library that simplifies integration with Yuba. Available for TypeScript, Python, and JavaScript. ### Semantic Search Search that understands meaning and context, not just keywords. Used by AI assistants to find relevant businesses. ### Snippet Readiness A score (0–100) indicating how well your business profile is optimized for AI Overviews and featured snippets. Based on profile completeness, description quality, and structured content. *** ## U ### Upstream Analytics Metrics that track how AI platforms discover and recommend your business before users visit your website or location. ### Upstream Metrics Data points captured during the AI discovery process: * Impressions * Citations * Query patterns * AI platform sources *** ## V ### Verification The process of confirming business ownership and authenticity. Verified businesses get a badge and higher trust scores. ### Visibility Score A 0-100 score indicating how discoverable your business is across AI platforms. *** ## W ### Webhook An automated notification sent to your server when specific events occur (e.g., new impression, citation). *** ## Y ### Yuba The open standard and platform for AI-native business discovery. Formerly known as AIDP (AI Discovery Platform). Yuba provides structured business data optimized for AI platforms, with upstream analytics and attribution. *** ## Z ### Zero-Click Exposure When your business is mentioned in an AI response but the user doesn't click through to your website. Still valuable for brand awareness. *** ## Common Acronyms * **AEO**: Answer Engine Optimization * **AI**: Artificial Intelligence * **AIDP**: AI Discovery Platform (now Yuba) * **API**: Application Programming Interface * **CCPA**: California Consumer Privacy Act * **GDPR**: General Data Protection Regulation * **GEO**: Generative Engine Optimization * **JSON**: JavaScript Object Notation * **JSON-LD**: JSON for Linked Data * **LLM**: Large Language Model * **MCP**: Model Context Protocol * **REST**: Representational State Transfer * **RLS**: Row Level Security * **SDK**: Software Development Kit * **SLA**: Service Level Agreement * **SQL**: Structured Query Language * **UUID**: Universally Unique Identifier *** ## Need More Help? **Can't find a term?** * Search our [documentation](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/getting-started/quick-start) * Ask in [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/gugga7/aidp/discussions) * Email **Want to suggest a term?** * Open an issue on [GitHub](https://github.com/gugga7/aidp/issues) * Submit a PR with your addition *** **Last Updated**: February 22, 2026