11. Should we fix technical SEO or create more content first?

Check access and eligibility before commissioning a large content programme. If the relevant page is accessible and accurate, investigate whether it actually answers the missing buying question before deciding that more pages are required.

Google says pages supporting its AI features must be indexed and eligible to appear with a snippet, and its guidance retains established SEO fundamentals. It does not prescribe a separate technical eligibility standard for AI Overviews or AI Mode. (developers.google.com)

Use this proposed triage order:

1. Access: inspect robots rules, accidental exclusions, authentication requirements and security challenges.
2. Indexing: check the important URL, its canonical destination and whether it is discoverable through internal links.
3. Readable evidence: verify that essential buying information is available as text, not only in inaccessible interfaces.
4. Accuracy: reconcile product pages, documentation and external profiles.
5. Completeness: answer the specific requirement, objection or comparison that the benchmark exposed.
6. External evidence: investigate independent sources only after identifying a plausible gap.

For Google, include the current Search generative AI inclusion setting in the audit; it is distinct from other Search inclusion and ranking controls. (support.google.com)

The output should be a prioritised backlog with an owner, affected pages and a verification step—not a generic recommendation to publish more content.