AI SEO Tools

needle.sh

Scan your site for AI visibility issues and get production-ready config files to fix them.

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needle.sh

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What is needle.sh?

needle is an AI search optimization platform that scans websites for 150+ signals affecting discoverability by AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude. It generates robots.txt, llms.txt, schema markup, and other config files to fix issues.

needle.sh vs Similar AI Tools

Pricing ModelFree, FreemiumFree, Free Trial, PaidFree, Free TrialFree
Free Credits
Key Features
  • 150+ signal audit covering robots.txt, schema, content structure, and more
  • Automatic fix file generation (robots.txt, llms.txt, JSON-LD, meta tags)
  • AI citation monitoring via Observatory (query generation and search across platforms)
  • AI-optimized titles, descriptions, and keywords
  • AI-generated product images (lifestyle, studio, social, advertising)
  • Brand DNA analysis for consistent brand voice
  • Share of voice tracking across 6 AI engines
  • Daily automated reports
  • Competitor tracking with up to 15 rivals
  • Keyword research with real volume and difficulty data
  • Competitor analysis and backlink monitoring
  • Rank tracking and technical SEO audits
Pros
  • Free scan available with no signup required
  • Comprehensive 150+ signal audit in under 60 seconds
  • All-in-one solution replacing multiple tools
  • Significant time savings (up to 12 hours per week)
  • Automated tracking across major AI engines
  • Actionable insights with source breakdown
  • Open source and self-hostable for full control
  • Integrates with AI agents via MCP for real data
Cons
  • Free tier limited to 5 pages per scan
  • Monthly credits reset and do not roll over
  • Credits-based pricing may require monitoring usage
  • Advanced features like competitor analysis limited to higher plans
  • Newer tool with fewer integrations
  • Limited prompt count on lower tiers
  • Requires technical setup and maintenance for self-hosting
  • Limited customer support compared to paid alternatives
Best For
  • Website owners and marketers focused on AI search visibility
  • SEO professionals optimizing for ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude
  • E-commerce sellers on Amazon, Shopify, and other marketplaces
  • Agencies managing multiple client catalogs
  • Brands in competitive markets
  • Marketing agencies
  • SEO professionals seeking a customizable, open source tool
  • Developers building AI-powered SEO workflows

How to use needle.sh?

  1. 1Enter any website URL on the needle homepage.
  2. 2Wait ~60 seconds for the scan to complete.
  3. 3Review the prioritized issues and download the generated fix files.
  4. 4Deploy the files to your site to improve AI crawler access.

needle.sh Key Features

  • 150+ signal audit covering robots.txt, schema, content structure, and more
  • Automatic fix file generation (robots.txt, llms.txt, JSON-LD, meta tags)
  • AI citation monitoring via Observatory (query generation and search across platforms)
  • Automated weekly re-scans with score tracking
  • Competitive benchmarking and industry comparison

needle.sh Use Cases

  • Ensuring AI crawlers can access your content
  • Fixing robots.txt violations that block GPTBot, ClaudeBot, etc.
  • Optimizing llms.txt and Content Signals for AI citation
  • Validating schema markup for richer AI understanding
  • Tracking AI visibility over time and against competitors

needle.sh Pricing & Free Credits

needle.sh currently operates on a Free, Freemium model.

Free Tier

Free

$0

1 project, 1 analysis, 5 pages, 20 AI credits on signup

Paid Plans

Starter

$29/mo

1 project, 6 analyses/month, 15 pages per scan, Observatory, 150 AI credits/mo

Pro

$79/mo

3 projects, 18 analyses/month, 30 pages per scan, Observatory, 500 AI credits/mo

Agency

$199/mo

10 projects, 56 analyses/month, 50 pages per scan, Observatory, 2000 AI credits/mo

One-time

$9

Single analysis, 15 pages, 50 AI credits, full Observatory access for 1 year

Credit Top-up

$5

100 AI credits, no expiry for 1 year

Free

$0

1 project, 1 analysis, 5 pages, 20 AI credits on signup

Starter

$29/mo

1 project, 6 analyses/month, 15 pages per scan, Observatory, 150 AI credits/mo

Pro

$79/mo

3 projects, 18 analyses/month, 30 pages per scan, Observatory, 500 AI credits/mo

Agency

$199/mo

10 projects, 56 analyses/month, 50 pages per scan, Observatory, 2000 AI credits/mo

One-time

$9

Single analysis, 15 pages, 50 AI credits, full Observatory access for 1 year

Credit Top-up

$5

100 AI credits, no expiry for 1 year

needle.sh Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Free scan available with no signup required
  • Comprehensive 150+ signal audit in under 60 seconds
  • Generates production-ready fix files
  • Monitors AI citation across multiple platforms
  • Competitor benchmarking feature

Cons

  • Free tier limited to 5 pages per scan
  • Monthly credits reset and do not roll over
  • Some advanced features require subscription

What is needle.sh best for?

  • Website owners and marketers focused on AI search visibility
  • SEO professionals optimizing for ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude
  • Content creators wanting to ensure AI systems can cite their work

needle.sh FAQ

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