How do AEO / AI-visibility providers deploy .well-known/FAQ/Product JSON to client domains? (CNAME / Edge / FTP / Proxy?)

Understanding How AEO and AI-Visibility Providers Deploy Well-Known JSON Feeds to Client Domains

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-visibility and Automated Enterprise Optimization (AEO) tools, one technical challenge that often arises is how service providers deploy essential .well-known JSON files—such as faq.json, products.json, or llms.txt—onto their clients’ own domains. These files are critical for enabling various integrations, including search enhancements, AI interactions, and compliance checks. This article explores the common methods used by vendors to serve these files seamlessly, weighing their advantages and potential drawbacks.

Methods for Deploying .well-known Files

1. Push-Based Deployment via FTP/SFTP or Hosting APIs

   Many providers utilize traditional file transfer protocols like FTP or SFTP to upload .well-known files directly to the client’s hosting environment. Alternatively, if the client’s CMS offers a comprehensive API (e.g., WordPress REST API or Shopify’s admin API), the provider can programmatically place or update these JSON files.

   Pros:
   – Direct control over file placement.
   – Suitable for static hosting environments.

   Cons:
   – Requires client cooperation and credentials.
   – Less scalable for frequent updates or automated deployments.

2. DNS Delegation and CDN/Edge Worker Routing

   Some providers leverage DNS configuration, particularly CNAME delegation, combined with edge computing platforms (like Cloudflare Workers, AWS CloudFront, or Akamai EdgeWorkers). Here, the provider configures DNS records so that requests to /.well-known/ paths resolve through a CDN that can dynamically serve content from the provider’s infrastructure, effectively serving files under the client’s domain.

   Pros:
   – No need for client-side hosting changes.
   – Allows dynamic content generation or caching at the edge.
   – Seamless user experience under client domain.

   Cons:
   – Requires DNS management and proper CNAME setup.
   – Potential caching complexities or propagation delays.

3. Reverse Proxy and Host-Header Rewrites

   Another technique involves the provider operating a reverse proxy that intercepts requests to the client’s domain and serves .well-known files from their servers, rewriting headers so that responses appear under the client’s domain.

   Pros:
   – No need for client modification of hosting setup.
   – Enables centralized management of files.

   Cons: