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

Government · 315 sites audited · March 22, 2026

AISO Score

AEO

SEO

Readability

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

•
Complex processes lack clear guides forcing citizens to call or hire help for routine tasks.
•
Fees and requirements are scattered across multiple pages and PDF documents.
•
Schema markup is missing causing AI to direct citizens to paid third-party services.
•
Forms are PDF-only without accessible alternatives or online submission options.
•
Search functionality is poor on most county and state agency websites.
•
Accessibility fails are common despite legal mandates for government websites.

Common Mistakes in County / State Websites

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Outdated contact directories — Department phone numbers and office hours must be current.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

How to Improve Your County / State Website

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

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)

SEO (20%)

Readability (25%)

Engagement (25%)

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

129

60-69

70-79

80-89

90-99

Grade Distribution

0 (0%)

4 (1%)

49 (16%)

129 (41%)

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.

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	vermo********.org	72	B	58	93	87	57
2	wel****.topuertorico.org	72	B	75	100	61	56
3	joc****.org	71	B	60	80	78	71
4	bos***.com	70	B	61	99	79	50
5	summit**********.gov	69	C	52	97	85	50
6	bl***.loc.gov	69	C	60	83	77	59
7	newc*******.gov	67	C	48	98	71	59
8	okl*****.gov	67	C	48	75	82	69
9	clevel***********.com	67	C	52	85	81	57
10	w**.gov	67	C	70	70	81	48
11	bud***.hawaii.gov	66	C	63	88	73	45
12	pres******.pub	66	C	56	80	69	62
13	frankli***********.gov	66	C	75	91	42	59
14	texasco*************.org	66	C	40	98	78	58
15	ws**.org	66	C	48	90	66	69
16	il***.gov	65	C	52	83	79	52
17	porte*********.gov	65	C	40	98	78	57
18	nebraska**************.org	65	C	40	75	90	62
19	richla**********.gov	65	C	52	87	80	47
20	wasat********.gov	65	C	50	73	79	61
21	adams********.gov	64	C	64	100	62	37
22	lakec*******.gov	64	C	52	58	91	55
23	georgia************.org	64	C	63	83	65	50
24	maui******.gov	64	C	30	88	90	59
25	peori*******.gov	64	C	42	78	87	57
26	morris**********.gov	64	C	40	81	91	52
27	misso*********.gov	64	C	30	97	85	59
28	n**.gov	64	C	40	80	83	60
29	exte*****.okstate.edu	64	C	65	78	74	41
30	d**.uscourts.gov	64	C	60	80	88	30
31	libg*****.ctstatelibrary.org	63	C	47	73	87	50
32	chisag*********.gov	63	C	38	83	93	47
33	nyec*******.gov	63	C	48	83	75	53
34	work*****.oregonstate.edu	63	C	42	90	54	74
35	louis*******.gov	63	C	40	81	87	53
36	cala*****.org	62	C	60	85	61	47
37	cal****.com	62	C	35	90	81	52
38	bento*********.gov	62	C	40	81	86	48
39	oak***.com	62	C	63	77	69	43
40	p**.gov	62	C	40	93	74	51
41	d**.sd.gov	62	C	38	95	64	63
42	klicki*********.gov	62	C	40	81	93	42
43	elp*****.com	61	C	48	93	64	47
44	cookc*******.gov	61	C	63	94	63	30
45	marsha**********.gov	61	C	40	81	97	34
46	n**.gov	61	C	30	99	80	50
47	saltl*********.gov	61	C	52	90	60	50
48	we**.gov	60	C	40	89	72	47
49	waldo********.gov	60	C	40	98	76	36
50	midlan*********.gov	60	C	38	77	80	52
51	mor*****.gov	60	C	38	77	80	54
52	oklah*********.org	60	C	48	82	57	58
53	mason********.gov	60	C	40	77	74	57
54	ca**.msu.edu	59	D	25	98	72	57
55	flath*********.gov	59	D	40	87	78	40
56	ndst*****.gov	59	D	38	83	78	45
57	cuyah*********.gov	59	D	30	85	74	58
58	w**.gov	59	D	30	86	75	58
59	putna*********.gov	59	D	30	100	67	53
60	gui***.law.fsu.edu	59	D	47	75	69	50
61	mar*****.gov	58	D	30	70	83	57
62	c**.gov	58	D	63	83	60	30
63	gui***.ll.georgetown.edu	58	D	47	83	41	68
64	parkc*******.gov	58	D	30	78	82	50
65	geo****.gov	58	D	42	70	81	45
66	columb**********.gov	58	D	30	58	88	63
67	iowa******.iowa.gov	58	D	30	99	77	40
68	princege*************.gov	58	D	42	97	70	35
69	mic*****.gov	58	D	40	70	79	47
70	mon****.edu	58	D	50	80	57	52
71	lincol*********.org	58	D	35	79	88	40
72	morri*********.gov	58	D	28	90	68	59
73	frankl**********.gov	58	D	30	81	86	47
74	provid***********.com	58	D	35	85	69	51
75	cou***.org	58	D	47	75	75	42
76	larami*********.gov	58	D	40	80	73	47
77	ac**.org	57	D	43	58	88	40
78	ill*****.gov	57	D	30	80	66	62
79	nelso*********.gov	57	D	30	85	65	57
80	montgom***********.gov	57	D	48	77	58	50
81	straff*********.gov	57	D	59	50	72	47
82	oh**.gov	57	D	40	75	79	40
83	charle**********.gov	57	D	25	94	77	45
84	tnco******.org	57	D	30	97	74	42
85	oe***.highered.texas.gov	57	D	48	78	59	50
86	tsha******.org	57	D	35	74	64	63
87	mr**.org	57	D	48	83	41	61
88	goshe*********.gov	57	D	30	68	90	49
89	connect*************.law.uconn.edu	56	D	40	88	46	59
90	floyd********.gov	56	D	25	70	85	53
91	hardi*********.gov	56	D	40	95	58	42
92	jackso*********.gov	56	D	40	82	72	40
93	yellows************.gov	56	D	35	81	72	45
94	dawe*******.ne.gov	56	D	33	80	63	57
95	vi***.dos.ny.gov	56	D	53	70	51	52
96	shelb*********.gov	56	D	28	88	71	47
97	hc**.com	56	D	40	66	67	55
98	washing***********.org	56	D	30	93	63	49
99	wyomin*********.gov	56	D	40	78	65	49
100	macon*******.com	55	D	35	80	75	38
101	federa*********.gov	55	D	48	90	39	52
102	del*****.gov	55	D	38	100	56	40
103	mywa******.gov	55	D	20	88	80	47
104	civ*****.org	55	D	48	68	71	38
105	ken*****.gov	55	D	59	50	59	51
106	plymou**********.gov	55	D	28	68	91	42
107	jack******.org	55	D	40	80	61	47
108	nebras**********.org	55	D	35	73	69	50
109	humbol**********.gov	55	D	25	73	83	49
110	dougla**********.gov	55	D	20	97	66	52
111	n**.gov	55	D	40	93	41	55
112	nmco******.org	55	D	35	72	84	37
113	nd***.org	55	D	55	15	95	47
114	jeffer***********.gov	55	D	42	78	76	30
115	five******.utah.gov	55	D	38	63	83	42
116	winneb***********.gov	55	D	30	68	83	47
117	carbo*********.gov	55	D	25	83	83	42
118	ball*******.org	54	D	60	88	10	62
119	leg***.akleg.gov	54	D	51	15	94	47
120	ore*****.com	54	D	43	87	53	40
121	fl-c*******.com	54	D	47	82	36	57
122	bro****.org	54	D	51	15	96	47
123	worthc*********.gov	54	D	20	97	67	47
124	d**.ky.gov	54	D	54	75	51	40
125	gog****.gov	54	D	35	70	74	43
126	schmi*******.unl.edu	54	D	27	70	78	48
127	sanjua*********.gov	54	D	25	75	78	47
128	com*****.alaska.gov	53	D	28	75	66	52
129	kentc*******.gov	53	D	32	77	56	57
130	one*****.us	53	D	28	70	78	45
131	idah*******.org	53	D	40	81	66	35
132	isa****.org	53	D	43	15	96	52
133	ka**.org	53	D	40	92	45	47
134	l**.la.gov	53	D	38	93	47	45
135	nvn***.org	53	D	40	80	52	47
136	pres******.ulib.csuohio.edu	53	D	43	78	40	57
137	allegh*********.us	53	D	40	97	38	47
138	lincol*********.gov	53	D	40	81	53	47
139	my***.sdlegislature.gov	53	D	43	15	100	47
140	l**.lis.virginia.gov	53	D	30	73	77	40
141	ala***.gov	52	D	48	75	33	57
142	idco******.org	52	D	43	15	97	47
143	norfo********.org	52	D	25	77	74	43
144	arc****.legmt.gov	52	D	25	71	71	52
145	nebra********.nebraska.gov	52	D	43	70	62	37
146	somers**********.gov	52	D	40	72	69	35
147	thegr*********.com	52	D	25	65	78	46
148	mag****.gov	52	D	35	70	75	35
149	king******.gov	52	D	38	83	62	35
150	d**.wi.gov	52	D	37	70	53	55
151	ww**.census.gov	51	D	43	15	95	47
152	ilc*****.org	51	D	35	70	62	42
153	jaspe*********.gov	51	D	30	62	74	45
154	c**.ymaws.com	51	D	43	15	97	45
155	yorkco*********.gov	51	D	37	90	46	42
156	ma**.gov	51	D	30	75	67	41
157	goodhu*********.gov	51	D	20	99	60	41
158	cassc*******.gov	51	D	30	58	70	50
159	m**.gov	51	D	52	70	44	40
160	g**.extension.msstate.edu	51	D	43	15	88	52
161	rocking***********.org	51	D	28	79	58	48
162	hc**.org	51	D	23	73	72	47
163	r**.gov	51	D	33	63	83	32
164	mcl*****.gov	51	D	43	15	83	57
165	halifa*********.gov	51	D	40	76	49	47
166	berk******.org	51	D	30	58	71	50
167	o**.dc.gov	51	D	25	93	71	30
168	d**.gov	51	D	25	70	70	47
169	jc***.org	50	D	33	63	70	38
170	alabam*********.org	50	D	43	15	88	47
171	ak**.org	50	D	43	15	94	42
172	oc***.com	50	D	20	84	67	40
173	l**.state.fl.us	50	D	27	68	78	35
174	c**.naco.org	50	D	43	15	95	42
175	brown*********.gov	50	D	43	15	95	42
176	clark********.gov	50	D	30	80	36	64
177	n**.gov	50	D	18	83	72	38
178	nassa*********.gov	50	D	25	60	78	44
179	s**.unc.edu	50	D	58	73	33	40
180	nd***.org	50	D	35	75	58	40
181	digit*********.ok.gov	50	D	43	15	88	47
182	jeffer***********.gov	50	D	40	78	47	43
183	whit*******.ar.gov	49	F	35	78	55	37
184	cs***.contentdm.oclc.org	49	F	43	15	96	37
185	b**.org	49	F	25	82	59	40
186	mnco******.org	49	F	25	65	71	43
187	l**.state.nv.us	49	F	43	15	87	45
188	libg*****.rutgers.edu	49	F	47	65	38	48
189	joseph*********.gov	49	F	28	82	39	56
190	localg*********.extension.wisc.edu	49	F	30	92	50	38
191	dcco*****.gov	49	F	35	60	66	38
192	housto*********.gov	48	F	20	97	55	35
193	libg*****.asu.edu	48	F	31	70	49	48
194	clark********.gov	48	F	30	80	48	45
195	garret*********.gov	48	F	35	80	49	35
196	mdco******.org	48	F	30	91	27	58
197	s**.ms.gov	48	F	20	75	61	47
198	sgco******.gov	48	F	35	70	46	47
199	lw***.org	48	F	43	15	77	52
200	ohioc*******.gov	48	F	26	95	39	46
201	s**.oregon.gov	48	F	35	75	60	30
202	doddri***********.gov	48	F	20	94	40	51
203	monro*********.gov	48	F	20	94	36	57
204	hawai*******.gov	47	F	38	72	39	47
205	polkc*********.gov	47	F	15	62	80	42
206	m**.maryland.gov	47	F	30	73	54	38
207	warre*********.gov	47	F	30	77	50	41
208	cassc*******.gov	47	F	30	77	48	42
209	hamilto***********.gov	47	F	38	78	39	42
210	scco******.org	47	F	38	80	32	48
211	fairf********.gov	47	F	28	85	38	47
212	wisc*****.gov	47	F	30	83	27	60
213	cdm*****.contentdm.oclc.org	47	F	43	15	77	47
214	azco******.org	46	F	40	80	35	35
215	ma***.gov	46	F	40	90	33	30
216	carrol*********.gov	46	F	30	85	33	47
217	sandov**********.gov	46	F	30	89	21	57
218	oregon***********.gov	46	F	43	15	78	42
219	s**.gov	46	F	30	77	36	52
220	pr***.pr.gov	46	F	53	100	10	31
221	azclea**********.gov	45	F	26	80	30	53
222	c**.grand.co.us	45	F	38	83	21	47
223	davisc*********.gov	45	F	43	15	68	47
224	oldha*********.gov	45	F	20	82	43	46
225	m**.gov	45	F	40	77	35	37
226	mul***.us	45	F	30	85	45	30
227	paco******.org	45	F	35	52	46	50
228	beaufo**********.gov	45	F	48	72	18	46
229	washin**********.in.gov	45	F	15	72	66	38
230	cumberl***********.gov	44	F	47	78	10	47
231	m**.gov	44	F	30	37	95	15
232	stloui*********.gov	44	F	38	70	26	47
233	washing***********.gov	44	F	20	82	32	53
234	hami******.gov	44	F	18	86	39	47
235	monong**********.gov	44	F	15	78	53	42
236	wico******.org	44	F	52	73	10	46
237	teton********.gov	44	F	40	87	13	47
238	moco******.com	43	F	40	78	37	25
239	cc**.org	43	F	25	70	29	57
240	l**.state.pa.us	43	F	30	55	35	58
241	northumb**************.gov	43	F	20	77	57	30
242	libg*****.vermontlaw.edu	43	F	27	70	34	48
243	pasco********.gov	42	F	35	83	10	50
244	loui*****.gov	42	F	30	89	10	52
245	mocomm*********.org	42	F	20	65	56	36
246	nm***.state.nm.us	42	F	38	73	10	55
247	chatha*********.gov	42	F	42	77	10	47
248	cou*****.org	41	F	30	90	25	30
249	sandi*********.gov	41	F	38	85	10	42
250	orang*********.net	41	F	35	65	22	48
251	maine********.org	41	F	33	53	35	47
252	baltim***********.gov	41	F	30	88	19	40
253	mssup********.org	41	F	35	78	22	37
254	boo****.gov	41	F	30	88	14	42
255	ny***.org	41	F	43	15	63	37
256	del****.gov	41	F	40	83	10	40
257	ver****.gov	41	F	30	68	28	45
258	virgi*********.org	41	F	18	63	49	44
259	va**.org	41	F	35	80	10	47
260	pw***.gov	41	F	48	85	10	30
261	pi**.gov	40	F	35	78	16	40
262	por***.ct.gov	40	F	25	75	33	35
263	clinto**********.gov	40	F	20	99	10	47
264	por***.kansas.gov	40	F	38	72	10	46
265	lamar********.gov	40	F	20	75	37	40
266	ut**.gov	40	F	20	78	33	42
267	dane******.gov	40	F	28	94	10	41
268	baldwi*********.gov	39	F	28	55	22	58
269	minneh*********.gov	39	F	30	60	23	48
270	sdco******.org	39	F	20	70	35	42
271	marsha**********.gov	39	F	35	62	17	47
272	legi*******.vermont.gov	39	F	40	71	10	40
273	io**.gov	38	F	30	80	10	40
274	m**.gov	38	F	25	83	10	45
275	n**.gov	38	F	30	70	10	48
276	nhco******.org	38	F	35	47	43	30
277	polkc*******.gov	38	F	20	91	10	45
278	hon*****.gov	37	F	30	20	87	10
279	t**.newmexico.gov	37	F	18	75	10	55
280	wa**.gov	37	F	20	83	10	47
281	arco******.org	36	F	35	75	10	30
282	n**.gov	36	F	18	81	10	48
283	salin*******.org	35	F	15	65	36	35
284	lac*****.gov	35	F	35	58	10	40
285	n**.gov	35	F	25	77	10	40
286	atlant**********.gov	35	F	20	83	10	40
287	okco******.org	35	F	25	73	10	41
288	jeffer***********.org	35	F	25	73	10	41
289	por***.ehawaii.gov	34	F	15	83	10	40
290	mcleo*********.gov	34	F	26	70	10	38
291	cumberl***********.gov	34	F	20	83	10	35
292	horry********.gov	34	F	20	77	10	40
293	lincol*********.gov	34	F	20	77	10	42
294	mars******.gov	33	F	15	72	20	35
295	c**.delaware.in.us	33	F	20	77	10	35
296	muscati************.gov	33	F	18	75	10	42
297	aroo*****.me.us	33	F	23	70	10	40
298	c**.lancaster.pa.us	33	F	15	75	10	42
299	d**.fl.gov	32	F	27	70	10	30
300	iowac*******.org	32	F	15	85	10	30
301	nhec*****.com	32	F	25	62	10	38
302	sherid**********.gov	32	F	15	70	10	45
303	taylo*********.gov	31	F	20	85	10	22
304	santaf*********.gov	31	F	25	67	10	30
305	pi***.gov	30	F	18	70	10	34
306	howar*********.gov	30	F	20	72	10	30
307	coosc*******.gov	30	F	15	68	10	37
308	vir*****.gov	30	F	15	71	10	35
309	susse*********.gov	29	F	20	65	10	30
310	na**.org	29	F	43	15	10	42
311	c**.colorado.gov	28	F	15	71	10	27
312	c**.delaware.oh.us	28	F	15	57	10	38
313	utah******.gov	25	F	18	62	10	18
314	myfl*****.gov	22	F	10	50	10	25
315	s**.state.ma.us	13	F	20	15	10	5

Methodology

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

AEO (30%) — AI Engine Optimization: direct answer format, FAQ patterns, structured content, citation signals, topical authority
SEO (20%) — Title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, links, images, keyword optimization
Readability (25%) — Flesch reading ease with normalized scoring, sentence complexity, audience appropriateness
Engagement (25%) — Content hooks, calls to action, questions, lists, quotes, emphasis, paragraph variety

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.

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