Federal Agencies Serve 330 Million People. Their Websites Serve Search Engines Poorly.

AISO Score

AEO

SEO

Readability

Engagement

The State of Federal Websites

A veteran asks Google AI: "How do I apply for VA disability benefits online?" The answer should come from VA.gov. Too often, it comes from a third-party site because the official page is poorly structured. Across 222 federal government sites, the average AISO score is 47/100. SEO averages 75. AEO hits 34.

Engagement scores 44 and readability reaches 43. A total of 55% fall below 50. Federal agencies have legal obligations for accessibility. Many still fall short on basic web standards.

Schema markup is absent from 79% of federal sites. Without structured data about services and programs, AI cannot direct citizens to the right government resources.

Why This Matters for Federal

Federal government web services is defined as the online delivery of information, benefits, and services by agencies of the United States federal government. These sites serve everyone. Poor optimization means citizens cannot find the help they need.

AI tools are increasingly how citizens find government services. When someone asks AI how to apply for a benefit, AI looks for clear instructions, eligibility data, and step-by-step guides. Poorly structured government pages get bypassed in favor of third-party summaries.

Section 508 compliance refers to the federal requirement that all government electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. This is not optional for federal websites, yet many still fail basic accessibility checks.

When government websites fail, citizens pay the price by missing benefits and services they are entitled to.

Key Findings

55%

Score Below 50

79%

No Schema Markup

49%

No Open Graph Tags

34/100

Avg AI Engine Score

Key Takeaways

•
Service information is hard to find buried under layers of organizational navigation.
•
Readability is poor with bureaucratic language replacing plain instructions.
•
Section 508 violations persist despite legal accessibility requirements.
•
Schema markup is missing from most government service pages.
•
Application processes are unclear with steps scattered across multiple pages.
•
FAQ content is rare even though citizens have predictable questions about every service.

Common Mistakes in Federal Websites

Bureaucratic language — "Submit a determination request" should be "Apply for benefits." Write for citizens, not agencies.
Deep navigation — Key services should be reachable in two clicks, not buried six levels deep.
Missing step-by-step guides — Every application process needs a clear numbered guide.
No FAQ sections — Citizens ask the same questions repeatedly. Answer them on the website.
PDF-dependent content — Forms and guides in PDF format are less accessible and harder for AI to index.

How to Improve Your Federal Website

Rewrite all content in plain language. Follow the Plain Writing Act. Use short sentences and common words.
Add GovernmentService schema to every service page. Include service name, eligibility, application process, and contact information.
Create step-by-step application guides. Walk citizens through each process from start to finish with HowTo schema.
Build FAQ sections for every major service. Answer the top 10 citizen questions about eligibility, documents needed, and timelines.
Run Section 508 compliance audits quarterly. Fix contrast, alt text, form labels, and keyboard navigation issues.

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

60-69

70-79

80-89

90-99

Grade Distribution

0 (0%)

22 (10%)

77 (35%)

123 (55%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AISO score?

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

What is AEO?

AEO refers to Answer Engine Optimization, the practice of structuring content so AI assistants can direct citizens to the right government services.

Why do government websites need optimization?

Citizens use AI to find government services. Poorly structured sites get bypassed in favor of third-party summaries, leaving citizens without official information.

What schema should government websites use?

Use GovernmentService schema with service descriptions and eligibility. Add HowTo schema for application processes and FAQPage schema for citizen questions.

How do AI engines direct people to government services?

AI reads service descriptions, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step processes. Bureaucratic language and deep navigation cause AI to cite other sources instead.

What is Section 508 compliance?

Section 508 is defined as the federal requirement that all government electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.

What accessibility issues affect government websites?

Complex forms without labels, PDF-only documents, low contrast text, and navigation systems that do not work with screen readers.

How often should government websites be audited?

Run full accessibility audits quarterly. Update service information immediately when policies change. Test AI discoverability after every major site update.

All 222 Audited Sites

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

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	okl*****.gov	67	C	48	75	82	69
2	opport*********.gov	66	C	48	99	57	69
3	w**.gov	65	C	50	86	75	58
4	hicke*******.senate.gov	64	C	40	80	88	54
5	h**.gov	64	C	48	90	58	69
6	slt***.com	64	C	48	95	79	43
7	i**.uscourts.gov	63	C	46	87	75	51
8	m**.uscourts.gov	63	C	48	80	86	45
9	n**.gov	63	C	40	83	72	64
10	publi*******.colorado.gov	62	C	56	76	64	56
11	law*****.com	62	C	38	60	100	56
12	ms***.org	62	C	52	85	77	40
13	oh**.uscourts.gov	62	C	48	80	78	47
14	p**.gov	62	C	40	93	74	51
15	work*******.org	62	C	58	100	43	56
16	cle****.house.gov	61	C	35	82	77	61
17	v**.gov	61	C	43	90	79	42
18	w**.gov	61	C	42	83	74	53
19	ombu*****.iowa.gov	60	C	35	75	75	61
20	a**.state.la.us	60	C	40	85	65	59
21	oh**.gov	60	C	48	82	75	40
22	d**.sd.gov	60	C	40	92	80	40
23	oakbro*********.net	59	D	30	80	95	40
24	peopl*********.org	59	D	48	85	52	60
25	e**.gov	59	D	40	87	72	45
26	s**.gov	59	D	40	78	68	56
27	wi**.uscourts.gov	59	D	38	80	81	45
28	c**.gov	58	D	63	83	60	30
29	gov*****.state.nm.us	58	D	38	97	57	52
30	fo**.house.gov	58	D	28	73	86	52
31	ore***.gov	58	D	35	90	74	42
32	g**.gov	57	D	38	85	61	55
33	ill*****.gov	57	D	30	80	66	62
34	id**.illinois.gov	57	D	48	82	47	59
35	a**.state.mn.us	57	D	40	91	59	47
36	th***.senate.gov	57	D	35	70	82	47
37	blum******.senate.gov	56	D	40	85	68	38
38	bw**.state.mn.us	56	D	40	92	51	52
39	n**.uscourts.gov	56	D	38	80	81	35
40	s**.tn.gov	56	D	30	83	80	40
41	federa*********.gov	55	D	48	85	52	42
42	st***.gov	55	D	48	85	55	38
43	oc***.com	55	D	30	92	69	40
44	io**.gov	55	D	38	84	72	35
45	ia**.uscourts.gov	55	D	38	80	82	30
46	2009*****.state.gov	55	D	66	70	51	35
47	n**.gov	55	D	40	93	41	55
48	n**.gov	55	D	59	78	37	48
49	cly****.house.gov	55	D	38	70	80	40
50	inter********.arizona.edu	54	D	36	80	72	37
51	i**.gov	54	D	30	80	85	30
52	miss*******.gov	54	D	30	72	85	38
53	stlo******.gov	54	D	28	80	61	57
54	bran******.nj.us	54	D	25	80	81	40
55	nc***.gov	54	D	40	70	61	51
56	gui***.lib.utexas.edu	54	D	35	70	61	55
57	g**.texas.gov	54	D	42	85	49	48
58	d**.wyoming.gov	54	D	42	83	43	57
59	al**.gov	53	D	48	85	27	58
60	2017*****.state.gov	53	D	52	85	40	40
61	usma******.gov	53	D	40	98	32	55
62	fl***.com	53	D	58	75	33	50
63	so**.house.gov	53	D	38	93	29	62
64	d**.ky.gov	53	D	25	70	85	40
65	smit******.com	53	D	30	89	66	40
66	m**.gov	53	D	40	70	71	35
67	gui***.library.columbia.edu	53	D	31	70	71	47
68	gs***.gov	53	D	25	73	96	27
69	d**.state.or.us	53	D	50	80	39	47
70	centr*********.gov	53	D	28	83	61	50
71	jus****.gov	52	D	37	80	49	50
72	c**.uscourts.gov	52	D	38	80	64	35
73	fi***.hawaii.gov	52	D	43	15	96	47
74	hig*****.dot.gov	52	D	40	92	38	50
75	desi******.nebraska.gov	52	D	30	72	76	37
76	hs**.dos.nh.gov	52	D	38	94	40	47
77	cbb****.cityofnewyork.us	52	D	35	73	67	40
78	wy***.senate.gov	52	D	35	63	64	50
79	r**.ed.gov	52	D	20	78	93	27
80	n**.usace.army.mil	52	D	25	85	61	47
81	ope****.gov	52	D	38	73	68	35
82	pue***.gpo.gov	51	D	28	58	100	25
83	ad***.ks.gov	51	D	43	15	88	52
84	ma***.gov	51	D	30	97	44	47
85	ma**.gov	51	D	30	75	67	41
86	mar***.senate.gov	51	D	20	73	66	57
87	is**.umn.edu	51	D	28	87	54	45
88	wi**.radioreference.com	51	D	40	80	49	41
89	sd***.gov	51	D	25	70	73	45
90	legi*****.com	51	D	20	99	46	53
91	al**.uscourts.gov	50	D	23	73	74	40
92	acl***.org	50	D	43	73	52	36
93	fe**.gov	50	D	38	77	53	38
94	l**.hawaii.gov	50	D	43	15	100	37
95	mo***.senate.gov	50	D	20	58	83	45
96	fi***.lasvegasnevada.gov	50	D	43	15	96	42
97	ncp****.com	50	D	40	75	53	38
98	be***.org	50	D	38	70	51	47
99	jc**.net	50	D	28	80	63	40
100	id***.gov	49	F	35	74	54	41
101	d**.state.il.us	49	F	35	90	35	45
102	nebrask************.gov	49	F	43	15	87	47
103	nj***.gov	49	F	63	72	17	45
104	s**.uscourts.gov	49	F	38	80	55	30
105	et**.org	49	F	43	15	92	42
106	te***.gov	49	F	66	92	13	30
107	d**.wi.gov	49	F	30	90	41	45
108	fd**.state.fl.us	48	F	52	65	33	43
109	d**.la.gov	48	F	40	88	36	38
110	ki**.senate.gov	48	F	15	65	64	57
111	nm***.state.nm.us	48	F	28	81	45	50
112	wisc*****.gov	48	F	28	83	33	60
113	d**.wi.gov	48	F	40	80	38	40
114	f**.gov	47	F	37	85	19	57
115	e**.gov	47	F	25	78	46	48
116	msd*****.org	47	F	43	15	87	37
117	do***.gov	47	F	20	91	39	53
118	n**.gov	47	F	35	80	37	45
119	ohi****.org	47	F	40	78	36	42
120	r**.gov	47	F	25	63	62	47
121	d**.fl.gov	46	F	38	62	24	64
122	gui***.lib.fsu.edu	46	F	45	71	25	48
123	o**.org	46	F	42	88	10	52
124	m**.org	46	F	66	55	10	51
125	msairpor*************.com	46	F	28	85	49	35
126	rea****.gov	46	F	28	77	42	47
127	pr***.pr.gov	46	F	53	100	10	31
128	safeho*********.gov	45	F	40	83	10	57
129	d**.alaska.gov	45	F	30	88	36	38
130	del*****.gov	45	F	28	95	10	59
131	insta********.militaryonesource.mil	45	F	30	95	10	58
132	dire*****.mt.gov	45	F	40	80	24	45
133	h-***.com	45	F	30	88	35	37
134	ho**.treasury.gov	45	F	37	85	10	57
135	ala***.gov	44	F	40	78	10	55
136	por***.ehawaii.gov	44	F	38	81	10	57
137	d**.gov	44	F	28	99	10	55
138	do**.ga.gov	44	F	42	99	10	38
139	mic*****.gov	44	F	43	73	20	47
140	m**.gov	44	F	30	37	95	15
141	wis***.gov	44	F	38	75	30	40
142	west******.gov	43	F	37	75	37	30
143	ri***.senate.gov	43	F	15	60	57	47
144	arc****.legmt.gov	43	F	38	75	15	52
145	w**.vegaschamber.com	43	F	30	89	10	53
146	gui***.lib.berkeley.edu	42	F	23	76	32	48
147	do**.colorado.gov	42	F	40	80	10	45
148	dm**.colorado.gov	42	F	30	95	10	47
149	loui*****.gov	42	F	30	89	10	52
150	ohioatt************.gov	42	F	15	75	40	50
151	b**.sd.gov	42	F	20	78	35	45
152	tns****.libguides.com	42	F	33	73	19	50
153	grant*******.com	42	F	25	78	37	38
154	governm************.tamu.edu	42	F	20	80	35	46
155	f**.gov	41	F	25	82	10	57
156	ken*****.gov	41	F	40	68	10	50
157	mccrac***********.gov	41	F	40	85	10	38
158	n**.gov	41	F	25	79	31	39
159	r**.uscourts.gov	41	F	25	75	45	30
160	ver****.gov	41	F	30	68	28	45
161	w**.mil	41	F	20	78	37	41
162	gpc***.unl.edu	40	F	40	78	10	40
163	n**.gov	40	F	20	98	13	45
164	a**.house.gov	40	F	15	89	30	40
165	sci***.net	40	F	28	85	10	47
166	flei*******.house.gov	40	F	15	82	37	40
167	age*****.pr.gov	40	F	25	55	60	25
168	po**.ca.gov	39	F	25	81	23	40
169	ov**.uconn.edu	39	F	20	88	10	52
170	p**.ga.gov	39	F	28	70	10	56
171	idaho*******.org	39	F	30	73	10	51
172	em**.nv.gov	39	F	33	83	10	41
173	dh**.ne.gov	39	F	15	78	45	30
174	ncd***.gov	39	F	18	78	14	57
175	westv*******.gov	39	F	43	15	47	45
176	tak***.house.gov	38	F	35	60	21	40
177	iowaatt************.gov	38	F	36	78	10	36
178	mic*****.bank	38	F	25	60	29	45
179	gabc*******.org	38	F	33	58	25	42
180	u**.edu	38	F	25	30	60	36
181	libg*****.law.asu.edu	37	F	30	65	10	50
182	gui***.library.ucsb.edu	37	F	35	60	10	48
183	p**.mw	37	F	20	88	10	45
184	d**.georgia.gov	37	F	30	89	10	30
185	il***.gov	37	F	38	55	10	50
186	augu*****.org	37	F	33	77	10	38
187	na***.org	37	F	15	70	38	34
188	harfor*********.gov	37	F	31	71	10	42
189	north********.edu	37	F	25	83	10	40
190	c**.net	37	F	38	80	10	30
191	cou***.state.va.us	37	F	38	80	10	30
192	colora*********.org	36	F	20	73	10	51
193	homela**********.ky.gov	36	F	20	83	19	35
194	m**.maryland.gov	36	F	25	65	23	40
195	g**.extension.msstate.edu	36	F	30	85	10	30
196	conc*****.gov	36	F	20	90	10	39
197	beaver*********.gov	36	F	25	71	10	48
198	c**.lancaster.pa.us	36	F	15	70	29	42
199	rocking***********.gov	36	F	20	85	10	42
200	arka******.gov	35	F	20	78	10	45
201	state*********.com	35	F	23	70	10	45
202	o**.nv.gov	35	F	38	55	10	40
203	oregon***********.gov	35	F	25	67	10	47
204	s**.state.co.us	34	F	25	68	32	18
205	m**.gov	34	F	20	67	10	50
206	publi********.vermont.gov	34	F	23	73	10	38
207	w**.gov	34	F	28	77	10	30
208	m**.gov	33	F	20	65	10	45
209	cc**.ucla.edu	32	F	25	65	10	35
210	por***.ct.gov	32	F	20	73	10	35
211	ok**.uscourts.gov	32	F	25	75	10	27
212	bism******.gov	32	F	18	62	10	47
213	pacode***********.gov	32	F	25	64	10	35
214	vaem*******.gov	32	F	25	62	20	30
215	glen*****.org	31	F	18	73	10	34
216	ut**.gov	30	F	20	70	10	30
217	vir*****.gov	30	F	20	62	10	35
218	d**.gov	30	F	15	67	10	37
219	h**.wyo.gov	30	F	25	55	10	37
220	geo****.gov	28	F	20	60	10	30
221	fo***.in.gov	17	F	10	20	10	30
222	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

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

How Does YOUR Federal Website Score?

The average federal website scores 47/100. Get a free audit to see where you stand and how to improve your AI search readiness.

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