The agent discovery glossary

Agent discovery combines familiar web concepts with newer tool interfaces. These definitions separate the layers so a technical recommendation can be evaluated on what it actually changes.

Agent and assistant

An assistant is a broad product or interface description. An agent can choose and execute steps using available tools toward a task. A product may expose different capabilities in different modes. An assistant name alone does not establish search access, authorization, or autonomy.

Crawling, indexing, and retrieval

Crawling means fetching resources for processing. Indexing means organizing content so it can be found later. Retrieval means selecting information for a particular query or task. A successful crawl does not prove inclusion in an index, and indexing does not guarantee retrieval.

SEO and GEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is work to improve search discoverability and performance. Generative engine optimization (GEO) is an industry term commonly used for improving representation in generative answers. It is not one standardized technical specification. Define the outcome being measured instead of relying on the acronym.

Structured data and JSON-LD

Structured data gives explicit fields and relationships to information. Schema.org is a vocabulary often used on websites. JSON-LD is a format for linked data. These can describe entities and facts; they do not make an unsupported claim true.

Canonical URL

A canonical URL identifies the preferred version of a page among duplicate or similar representations. Keeping HTML, Markdown, feeds, and references connected to a stable identity helps readers understand which document they are using. Search engines treat canonical signals according to their own systems.

Citation and provenance

A citation points to a source for a claim. Provenance describes where information came from and how it was produced. A useful evidence record distinguishes a first-party assertion, independent source, example, and measured test result.

MCP and OpenAPI

MCP is a protocol for compatible AI applications to connect to servers exposing tools and context. OpenAPI is a specification for describing HTTP APIs. They serve different interfaces and can coexist. Neither guarantees that a particular agent will discover or adopt a product.

Tool registry and connected tool

A registry catalogs metadata. A connected tool is available in a specific runtime after configuration and permission. Publication, connection, and invocation are separate events. See the MCP guide for the implications of this distinction.

llms.txt

llms.txt is a proposed Markdown index convention for language-model readers. It can point to focused documentation. It is not robots.txt, an authentication mechanism, or a universal ranking requirement.

Handoff and activation

A handoff transfers the customer’s task to a next step, such as checkout, booking, or an API operation. Activation is a defined first useful customer result. A job accepted, form submitted, or item added to a cart may be an intermediate event rather than completion.

Controlled test and organic discovery

A controlled test is a run initiated for evaluation. Organic discovery means an independent user or agent encounters the product without the operator introducing it as part of that test. Keep introduced, branded, unbranded, and unknown routes labeled separately.