Semantic Density Optimization:SDO Formula for GEO | Hashmeta

Semantic Density Optimization: SDO Formula for GEO | Hashmeta

85%

of AI answers compress sources into <200 words

3.2x

More citations with high semantic density

57%

of ChatGPT citations from content <1000 words

20-30%

Fewer exact keywords in AI overviews vs Google

The SDO Formula

A mathematical approach to optimizing content for AI retrieval and citation

SEMANTIC DENSITY OPTIMIZATION

SDO = (Entity Coverage / Context Layering) × (Compression Clarity / Redundancy Penalty)

Entity Coverage

Number of distinct named entities (people, organizations, concepts) per 100 words. Target: 8-12 entities per page minimum for competitive categories.

Compression Clarity

How well content distills to <200 word summaries without losing meaning. AI platforms favor compressible content for answer generation.

Redundancy Penalty

Repeated concepts without adding new information reduce SDO score. Say it once, say it well—avoid circular reasoning and keyword stuffing.

SINGAPORE • B2B SAAS

3.2x Citations with SDO Optimization

A Singapore marketing platform analyzed their content semantic density and discovered low entity coverage (2-3 entities per page) with high redundancy (same concepts repeated 4-5 times). Their AI citation rate: 8%.

They restructured content using the SDO formula: increased entities to 10-14 per page, eliminated redundant paragraphs, compressed 2000-word posts to 800 words without losing information. Result: 3.2x more AI citations (8% → 26%) within 60 days.

3.2x

AI citation rate increase in 60 days

2-3 → 10-14

Entities per page optimization

-60%

Word count reduction (no info loss)

8% → 26%

Overall AI platform citation rate

Pro Tips for SDO Excellence

Expert insights from Hashmeta's semantic optimization practice

🔢

Count Entities Manually

Before publishing, count named entities in your content. Aim for 8-12 minimum on pillar pages, 5-8 on supporting content. Use Wikipedia links to verify entities AI systems recognize.

✂️

Compress Ruthlessly

AI platforms favor concise, information-dense content. After writing, cut your word count by 30-40% without losing key concepts. If you can't compress it, AI won't cite it.

🚫

Eliminate Circular Reasoning

Read content aloud. If you hear the same concept repeated without new information, delete it. Each paragraph should introduce unique value—redundancy kills SDO scores and citation rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is semantic density optimization (SDO)?

SDO is a formula-based approach to balancing entity coverage, context layering, compression clarity, and redundancy elimination. The goal: create information-dense content AI systems can easily retrieve and cite. High SDO content contains 8-12+ entities, compresses well to <200 word summaries, and eliminates redundant concepts that dilute semantic signal.

Q: How many entities should I target per page?

Aim for 8-12 named entities minimum on pillar content, 5-8 on supporting pages. Competitive categories (B2B SaaS, finance, healthcare) require 12-15 entities to outperform competitors. Entities include companies, people, products, concepts, locations, technologies—anything AI can link to knowledge graphs.

Q: Why do AI platforms prefer shorter content?

AI answers compress sources to <200 words (85% of responses). Content that's already concise and information-dense compresses better, making it easier for AI to extract and cite. 57% of ChatGPT citations come from pages <1000 words. Write for compression bias—front-load conclusions, eliminate filler.

Q: What's the difference between SDO and keyword density?

Keyword density (SEO) measures exact keyword repetition for Google ranking. SDO measures semantic signal strength through entity coverage and conceptual clarity for AI retrieval. AI overviews use 20-30% fewer exact keywords than Google SERPs. SDO prioritizes entities and concepts over repeated keywords—it's semantic understanding, not keyword matching.

Q: How do I reduce redundancy without losing information?

Audit for circular reasoning—if a paragraph restates previous points without adding data, delete it. Use "one mention rule": state each concept once with full context rather than repeating partially across paragraphs. Compress by combining related points: turn three 100-word paragraphs making the same argument into one 120-word paragraph with three supporting data points.

Q: Can I optimize existing content with SDO?

Yes—audit existing pages for entity count and redundancy. Add 3-5 more entities by naming specific companies, technologies, or methodologies. Cut redundant paragraphs (target 30-40% word count reduction). Restructure with clear H2/H3 hierarchy for context layering. Re-publish with updated timestamps. Expect citation improvements within 30-60 days.

Q: Does SDO hurt traditional SEO performance?

No—SDO and SEO are complementary. Reducing redundancy and adding entities typically improves Google rankings too (better topical authority, lower bounce rates). The only risk: cutting content too aggressively (<400 words) can hurt Google for competitive keywords. Sweet spot: 600-1000 words with high entity density satisfies both Google and AI platforms.

Q: How do I measure SDO success?

Track three metrics: (1) Entity count per page (manual audit or NER tools), (2) AI citation rate across 100+ queries (monthly testing), (3) Compression ratio (summary length / original length). Target: 8-12 entities, 40%+ citation rate, 15-20% compression ratio. Compare before/after SDO optimization to measure lift.

Ready to Dominate AI Search Results?

Our SEO agency specializes in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies that get your brand cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. We combine traditional SEO expertise with cutting-edge AI visibility tactics.

AI Citation & Answer Engine Optimization

Content Structured for AI Understanding

Multi-Platform AI Visibility Strategy

Fact Verification & Source Authority Building

Explore Our SEO Agency Services →