When a traveller asks ChatGPT "What's the best family campsite in the Var?", the AI selects 3 to 5 campsites and recommends them by name, with precise arguments. How does it make its choice? After analysing more than 200 campsite websites with GEO-Auditor, we have identified 7 key criteria.
1. Schema.org Campground complete
Schema.org is the language that AIs understand best. It is structured markup that is invisible to visitors but essential for robots and language models. For a campsite, the Campground type must include a set of specific properties.
The essential properties
- name, address, telephone - basic information about the establishment
- checkinTime / checkoutTime - arrival and departure times (ISO 8601 format)
- amenityFeature - swimming pool, wifi, restaurant, playground, laundry, grocery shop
- starRating - official star rating (Atout France)
- priceRange - indicative price range
- image - URL of the main photos of the campsite
- containsPlace - types of accommodation (mobile home, bare pitch, chalet, lodge)
The opportunity: 85% of campsites do not have a full Schema
Our analysis shows that less than 15% of French campsites have a complete Campground Schema. The majority have either no Schema at all, or a generic Schema (LocalBusiness) without the properties specific to the campsite. This is a major opportunity: by structuring your data correctly, you will immediately stand out from the competition.
Tip: the WordPress plugin WP-GEO-Auditor
For WordPress campsites, the WP-GEO-Auditor plugin automatically generates a complete Schema Campground by analysing your site's existing content. It detects equipment, accommodation types, GPS coordinates and opening times to build a structured markup that complies.
2. Multi-source NAP consistency
The NAP (Name, Address, Telephone) must be identical everywhere: on your site, your Google Business Profile, PagesJaunes, TripAdvisor and OTAs. AIs systematically cross-reference these sources to check the reliability of the information.
Common errors
The most common NAP inconsistencies at campsites are: an old telephone number on PagesJaunes, a postal address that differs from the physical address (P.O. box vs. campsite address), a slightly different campsite name between the site and Google ("Camping Les Cascades" vs. "Les Cascades - Camping ****"). Each inconsistency creates doubt for the AIs.
3. Recent positive Google reviews
AIs heavily weight Google reviews in their recommendations. A campsite with 50+ reviews, a rating higher than 4.2/5 and recent reviews (less than 6 months old) will systematically be preferred to a competitor with a lower rating or older reviews.
An effective reviews strategy
Responding to every review (positive and negative) is a positive signal. AIs also analyse the textual content of reviews: a review mentioning "heated swimming pool", "warm welcome" or "shady pitches" provides qualitative data that the AI can use in its recommendations. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave detailed reviews, not just a note.
The trap of false reviews
AIs detect artificial review patterns (reviews that are too similar, published on the same day, accounts with no history). Authentic reviews spaced out over time are much more effective than a massive campaign of fake reviews.
4. Presence on specialist OTAs
Platforms such as ACSI, ANWB, Pitchup, Eurocampings and Booking.com are sources of data that AIs cross-reference. Being listed on 2+ OTAs with consistent information strengthens your legitimacy and coverage.
Which OTAs should you prioritise?
For French campsites, ACSI and Eurocampings are the benchmarks for international customers (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium). Pitchup.com and Booking.com cover a wider audience. Campings.com is essential for the French market. Ideally, you should have a presence on 3 or 4 platforms, with comprehensive, up-to-date listings.
5. Structured thematic content
Campsites that publish themed pages provide IAs with the context they need to make detailed and relevant recommendations.
Recommended theme pages
- Activities pages: walks, beaches, nearby theme parks
- Regional pages: tourist guide to the destination, local markets, gastronomy
- Accommodation pages: detailed description of each type of accommodation (mobile home, chalet, pitch)
- Seasonal blog: campsite news, local events, practical advice
Impact on IA responses
When a traveller asks "What to do around campsite X in the Ardèche", the AI can extract information directly from your thematic pages to enrich its recommendation. Without these pages, the AI is content with generic information that does not differentiate you from your competitors.
6. FAQ with Schema.org FAQPage
An FAQ structured using FAQPage markup is a format that can be used directly by AIs. Questions about rates, facilities, pets accepted, opening times - every Q&A is an opportunity to appear in an AI response.
How to write an effective FAQ for GEO
Each question must correspond to a real user query. "Can we bring a dog to the campsite?" is better than "Pet policy". Write complete answers (3-5 sentences) that include concrete information: rates, conditions, exceptions. FAQPage markup should wrap around each question/answer pair so that AIs can extract them individually.
7. Mobile speed and Core Web Vitals
A slow mobile site (>3s load time) will be penalised in both SEO and GEO. AI crawlers, like Google crawlers, prefer fast, well-structured sites.
Thresholds to aim for
Aim for a PageSpeed Insights score above 60 on mobile. The three Core Web Vitals metrics to monitor are : LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) under 2.5s, INP (Interaction to Next Paint) under 200ms, and CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) under 0.1. Campsites with many photos must use lazy loading and optimised image formats (WebP/AVIF).
Test your campsite now
GEO-Auditor analyses these 7 criteria (and many others) in 30 seconds. You'll get a GEO /100 score with concrete, prioritised recommendations for improving your visibility in the AI engines. The audit is free, with no registration required, and is tailored specifically to the camping sector.