County and State Agencies Manage Critical Services. Their Websites Manage to Confuse Everyone.

Government · 315 sites audited · March 22, 2026

50

AISO Score

35

AEO

73

SEO

54

Readability

45

Engagement

The State of County / State Websites

A small business owner asks Perplexity: "How do I register a new LLC in my state?" The state's Secretary of State website should provide the answer. But the registration page requires navigating five menus and reading three PDFs. Across 315 county and state government sites, the average AISO score is 50/100. SEO averages 73. AEO hits 35.

Engagement scores 45 and readability reaches 54. A total of 42% fall below 50. State and county agencies handle major life events: business formation, property recording, vital records. Their websites must guide citizens through these processes.

Schema markup is absent from 82% of county and state sites. Without structured data, AI sends citizens to private services that charge fees for free public information.

Why This Matters for County / State

County and state government services is defined as public services administered by regional governmental bodies, including property records, vital records, business registration, licensing, and courts. These agencies handle services citizens need during major life events.

When AI cannot find clear answers on government sites, it directs citizens to paid third-party services. This costs residents money for information that should be free. Well-structured government websites prevent this problem.

Process documentation refers to clear, step-by-step web content that guides citizens through government procedures including required forms, fees, timelines, and submission methods. This content is what AI needs to provide accurate guidance.

When government websites fail to explain processes clearly, citizens pay third parties for information that should be free.

Key Findings

42%

Score Below 50

82%

No Schema Markup

48%

No Open Graph Tags

35/100

Avg AI Engine Score

Key Takeaways

Common Mistakes in County / State Websites

  1. Multi-page scavenger hunts — Registration, licensing, and filing processes should be on one clear page.
  2. Fees buried in PDF schedules — Show fees inline on the service page, not in separate downloadable files.
  3. No step-by-step process guides — Walk citizens through each procedure from start to finish.
  4. Outdated contact directories — Department phone numbers and office hours must be current.
  5. No FAQ for common procedures — Business registration, property filings, and vital records need FAQ sections.

How to Improve Your County / State Website

  1. Create one-page process guides. Each service needs all steps, fees, requirements, and forms on a single page.
  2. Add GovernmentService schema. Include service name, fees, requirements, and submission methods.
  3. Display all fees on service pages. Show filing fees, processing fees, and any additional costs inline.
  4. Build FAQ sections for major services. Answer questions about processing times, required documents, and common mistakes.
  5. Provide online submission wherever possible. Replace PDF-and-mail workflows with online forms and digital filing.

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)
35
SEO (20%)
73
Readability (25%)
54
Engagement (25%)
45

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9
0
10-19
1
20-29
6
30-39
41
40-49
85
50-59
129
60-69
49
70-79
4
80-89
0
90-99
0

Grade Distribution

A
0 (0%)
B
4 (1%)
C
49 (16%)
D
129 (41%)
F
133 (42%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AISO score?

An AISO score is defined as a 0-to-100 website quality rating combining SEO, readability, engagement, AEO, and accessibility metrics.

What is AEO?

AEO refers to Answer Engine Optimization, the practice of structuring content so AI tools guide citizens to official government resources instead of paid third-party sites.

Why do county and state websites need optimization?

When government sites are poorly structured, AI sends citizens to paid services for free public information. Clear web content prevents unnecessary costs.

What schema should government agencies use?

Use GovernmentService schema with fees, requirements, and procedures. Add HowTo schema for step-by-step guides and FAQPage for common questions.

How do AI tools direct citizens to government services?

AI reads service descriptions, fee schedules, and process guides. Complex or scattered content causes AI to recommend third-party alternatives.

Should government agencies put fees on service pages?

Yes. All fees should be visible on the same page as the service description. Separate PDF fee schedules are hard for AI and citizens to find.

What accessibility issues affect government websites?

PDF forms without accessible formatting, online portals without keyboard navigation, and meeting minutes without screen reader support.

How often should government websites be updated?

Update fees and requirements immediately when policies change. Refresh process guides annually. Run accessibility audits quarterly.

All 315 Audited Sites

Domains are partially blurred. Scores range from 0 to 100.

#DomainAISOGradeAEOSEORead.Eng.
1vermo********.org72B58938757
2wel****.topuertorico.org72B751006156
3joc****.org71B60807871
4bos***.com70B61997950
5summit**********.gov69C52978550
6bl***.loc.gov69C60837759
7newc*******.gov67C48987159
8okl*****.gov67C48758269
9clevel***********.com67C52858157
10w**.gov67C70708148
11bud***.hawaii.gov66C63887345
12pres******.pub66C56806962
13frankli***********.gov66C75914259
14texasco*************.org66C40987858
15ws**.org66C48906669
16il***.gov65C52837952
17porte*********.gov65C40987857
18nebraska**************.org65C40759062
19richla**********.gov65C52878047
20wasat********.gov65C50737961
21adams********.gov64C641006237
22lakec*******.gov64C52589155
23georgia************.org64C63836550
24maui******.gov64C30889059
25peori*******.gov64C42788757
26morris**********.gov64C40819152
27misso*********.gov64C30978559
28n**.gov64C40808360
29exte*****.okstate.edu64C65787441
30d**.uscourts.gov64C60808830
31libg*****.ctstatelibrary.org63C47738750
32chisag*********.gov63C38839347
33nyec*******.gov63C48837553
34work*****.oregonstate.edu63C42905474
35louis*******.gov63C40818753
36cala*****.org62C60856147
37cal****.com62C35908152
38bento*********.gov62C40818648
39oak***.com62C63776943
40p**.gov62C40937451
41d**.sd.gov62C38956463
42klicki*********.gov62C40819342
43elp*****.com61C48936447
44cookc*******.gov61C63946330
45marsha**********.gov61C40819734
46n**.gov61C30998050
47saltl*********.gov61C52906050
48we**.gov60C40897247
49waldo********.gov60C40987636
50midlan*********.gov60C38778052
51mor*****.gov60C38778054
52oklah*********.org60C48825758
53mason********.gov60C40777457
54ca**.msu.edu59D25987257
55flath*********.gov59D40877840
56ndst*****.gov59D38837845
57cuyah*********.gov59D30857458
58w**.gov59D30867558
59putna*********.gov59D301006753
60gui***.law.fsu.edu59D47756950
61mar*****.gov58D30708357
62c**.gov58D63836030
63gui***.ll.georgetown.edu58D47834168
64parkc*******.gov58D30788250
65geo****.gov58D42708145
66columb**********.gov58D30588863
67iowa******.iowa.gov58D30997740
68princege*************.gov58D42977035
69mic*****.gov58D40707947
70mon****.edu58D50805752
71lincol*********.org58D35798840
72morri*********.gov58D28906859
73frankl**********.gov58D30818647
74provid***********.com58D35856951
75cou***.org58D47757542
76larami*********.gov58D40807347
77ac**.org57D43588840
78ill*****.gov57D30806662
79nelso*********.gov57D30856557
80montgom***********.gov57D48775850
81straff*********.gov57D59507247
82oh**.gov57D40757940
83charle**********.gov57D25947745
84tnco******.org57D30977442
85oe***.highered.texas.gov57D48785950
86tsha******.org57D35746463
87mr**.org57D48834161
88goshe*********.gov57D30689049
89connect*************.law.uconn.edu56D40884659
90floyd********.gov56D25708553
91hardi*********.gov56D40955842
92jackso*********.gov56D40827240
93yellows************.gov56D35817245
94dawe*******.ne.gov56D33806357
95vi***.dos.ny.gov56D53705152
96shelb*********.gov56D28887147
97hc**.com56D40666755
98washing***********.org56D30936349
99wyomin*********.gov56D40786549
100macon*******.com55D35807538
101federa*********.gov55D48903952
102del*****.gov55D381005640
103mywa******.gov55D20888047
104civ*****.org55D48687138
105ken*****.gov55D59505951
106plymou**********.gov55D28689142
107jack******.org55D40806147
108nebras**********.org55D35736950
109humbol**********.gov55D25738349
110dougla**********.gov55D20976652
111n**.gov55D40934155
112nmco******.org55D35728437
113nd***.org55D55159547
114jeffer***********.gov55D42787630
115five******.utah.gov55D38638342
116winneb***********.gov55D30688347
117carbo*********.gov55D25838342
118ball*******.org54D60881062
119leg***.akleg.gov54D51159447
120ore*****.com54D43875340
121fl-c*******.com54D47823657
122bro****.org54D51159647
123worthc*********.gov54D20976747
124d**.ky.gov54D54755140
125gog****.gov54D35707443
126schmi*******.unl.edu54D27707848
127sanjua*********.gov54D25757847
128com*****.alaska.gov53D28756652
129kentc*******.gov53D32775657
130one*****.us53D28707845
131idah*******.org53D40816635
132isa****.org53D43159652
133ka**.org53D40924547
134l**.la.gov53D38934745
135nvn***.org53D40805247
136pres******.ulib.csuohio.edu53D43784057
137allegh*********.us53D40973847
138lincol*********.gov53D40815347
139my***.sdlegislature.gov53D431510047
140l**.lis.virginia.gov53D30737740
141ala***.gov52D48753357
142idco******.org52D43159747
143norfo********.org52D25777443
144arc****.legmt.gov52D25717152
145nebra********.nebraska.gov52D43706237
146somers**********.gov52D40726935
147thegr*********.com52D25657846
148mag****.gov52D35707535
149king******.gov52D38836235
150d**.wi.gov52D37705355
151ww**.census.gov51D43159547
152ilc*****.org51D35706242
153jaspe*********.gov51D30627445
154c**.ymaws.com51D43159745
155yorkco*********.gov51D37904642
156ma**.gov51D30756741
157goodhu*********.gov51D20996041
158cassc*******.gov51D30587050
159m**.gov51D52704440
160g**.extension.msstate.edu51D43158852
161rocking***********.org51D28795848
162hc**.org51D23737247
163r**.gov51D33638332
164mcl*****.gov51D43158357
165halifa*********.gov51D40764947
166berk******.org51D30587150
167o**.dc.gov51D25937130
168d**.gov51D25707047
169jc***.org50D33637038
170alabam*********.org50D43158847
171ak**.org50D43159442
172oc***.com50D20846740
173l**.state.fl.us50D27687835
174c**.naco.org50D43159542
175brown*********.gov50D43159542
176clark********.gov50D30803664
177n**.gov50D18837238
178nassa*********.gov50D25607844
179s**.unc.edu50D58733340
180nd***.org50D35755840
181digit*********.ok.gov50D43158847
182jeffer***********.gov50D40784743
183whit*******.ar.gov49F35785537
184cs***.contentdm.oclc.org49F43159637
185b**.org49F25825940
186mnco******.org49F25657143
187l**.state.nv.us49F43158745
188libg*****.rutgers.edu49F47653848
189joseph*********.gov49F28823956
190localg*********.extension.wisc.edu49F30925038
191dcco*****.gov49F35606638
192housto*********.gov48F20975535
193libg*****.asu.edu48F31704948
194clark********.gov48F30804845
195garret*********.gov48F35804935
196mdco******.org48F30912758
197s**.ms.gov48F20756147
198sgco******.gov48F35704647
199lw***.org48F43157752
200ohioc*******.gov48F26953946
201s**.oregon.gov48F35756030
202doddri***********.gov48F20944051
203monro*********.gov48F20943657
204hawai*******.gov47F38723947
205polkc*********.gov47F15628042
206m**.maryland.gov47F30735438
207warre*********.gov47F30775041
208cassc*******.gov47F30774842
209hamilto***********.gov47F38783942
210scco******.org47F38803248
211fairf********.gov47F28853847
212wisc*****.gov47F30832760
213cdm*****.contentdm.oclc.org47F43157747
214azco******.org46F40803535
215ma***.gov46F40903330
216carrol*********.gov46F30853347
217sandov**********.gov46F30892157
218oregon***********.gov46F43157842
219s**.gov46F30773652
220pr***.pr.gov46F531001031
221azclea**********.gov45F26803053
222c**.grand.co.us45F38832147
223davisc*********.gov45F43156847
224oldha*********.gov45F20824346
225m**.gov45F40773537
226mul***.us45F30854530
227paco******.org45F35524650
228beaufo**********.gov45F48721846
229washin**********.in.gov45F15726638
230cumberl***********.gov44F47781047
231m**.gov44F30379515
232stloui*********.gov44F38702647
233washing***********.gov44F20823253
234hami******.gov44F18863947
235monong**********.gov44F15785342
236wico******.org44F52731046
237teton********.gov44F40871347
238moco******.com43F40783725
239cc**.org43F25702957
240l**.state.pa.us43F30553558
241northumb**************.gov43F20775730
242libg*****.vermontlaw.edu43F27703448
243pasco********.gov42F35831050
244loui*****.gov42F30891052
245mocomm*********.org42F20655636
246nm***.state.nm.us42F38731055
247chatha*********.gov42F42771047
248cou*****.org41F30902530
249sandi*********.gov41F38851042
250orang*********.net41F35652248
251maine********.org41F33533547
252baltim***********.gov41F30881940
253mssup********.org41F35782237
254boo****.gov41F30881442
255ny***.org41F43156337
256del****.gov41F40831040
257ver****.gov41F30682845
258virgi*********.org41F18634944
259va**.org41F35801047
260pw***.gov41F48851030
261pi**.gov40F35781640
262por***.ct.gov40F25753335
263clinto**********.gov40F20991047
264por***.kansas.gov40F38721046
265lamar********.gov40F20753740
266ut**.gov40F20783342
267dane******.gov40F28941041
268baldwi*********.gov39F28552258
269minneh*********.gov39F30602348
270sdco******.org39F20703542
271marsha**********.gov39F35621747
272legi*******.vermont.gov39F40711040
273io**.gov38F30801040
274m**.gov38F25831045
275n**.gov38F30701048
276nhco******.org38F35474330
277polkc*******.gov38F20911045
278hon*****.gov37F30208710
279t**.newmexico.gov37F18751055
280wa**.gov37F20831047
281arco******.org36F35751030
282n**.gov36F18811048
283salin*******.org35F15653635
284lac*****.gov35F35581040
285n**.gov35F25771040
286atlant**********.gov35F20831040
287okco******.org35F25731041
288jeffer***********.org35F25731041
289por***.ehawaii.gov34F15831040
290mcleo*********.gov34F26701038
291cumberl***********.gov34F20831035
292horry********.gov34F20771040
293lincol*********.gov34F20771042
294mars******.gov33F15722035
295c**.delaware.in.us33F20771035
296muscati************.gov33F18751042
297aroo*****.me.us33F23701040
298c**.lancaster.pa.us33F15751042
299d**.fl.gov32F27701030
300iowac*******.org32F15851030
301nhec*****.com32F25621038
302sherid**********.gov32F15701045
303taylo*********.gov31F20851022
304santaf*********.gov31F25671030
305pi***.gov30F18701034
306howar*********.gov30F20721030
307coosc*******.gov30F15681037
308vir*****.gov30F15711035
309susse*********.gov29F20651030
310na**.org29F43151042
311c**.colorado.gov28F15711027
312c**.delaware.oh.us28F15571038
313utah******.gov25F18621018
314myfl*****.gov22F10501025
315s**.state.ma.us13F2015105

Methodology

Each website was scored using AISO Studio's production scoring engine across four dimensions:

315 sites collected across US states using geographic search queries. Scores reflect the state of each website at time of audit.

How Does YOUR County / State Website Score?

The average county / state website scores 50/100. Get a free audit to see where you stand and how to improve your AI search readiness.

Get Your Free Audit
← Back to all industry reports
County and State Agencies Manage Critical Services. Their Websites Manage to Confuse Everyone. | AISO Studio