# Growth Playbook

This repo already has strong social proof. Current public count at the time of writing: `379` stars and `81` forks.

Use this checklist to improve GitHub discovery, Google SEO, and launch conversion without fake engagement or spam.

## GitHub Repository

- Keep the repo description short and keyword-rich: `Free OpenAI-compatible AI API with 60+ active models, image generation, tool calling, and Discord key signup.`
- Use focused topics instead of generic tags. Suggested topics: `free-ai-api`, `openai-compatible`, `ai-api`, `llm-api`, `chat-completions`, `image-generation`, `developer-tools`, `astro`, `discord-bot`, `api-gateway`.
- Keep the first README screen conversion-focused: one-line value prop, proof badges, quick start, and copy-paste examples.
- Ship regular release tags so GitHub shows activity and users can subscribe to updates.
- Turn high-signal Discord questions into README/docs updates so the repo becomes the canonical answer.
- Add a screenshot, short GIF, or architecture visual above the fold when a polished asset is ready.

## Releases

GitHub releases are based on tags and provide a public feed users can watch. Create a release for meaningful site/API updates, not every tiny typo.

Recommended cadence:

- `vYYYY.MM.DD` for dated website/API catalog updates.
- One concise release title, for example `v2026.05.08 - Catalog and docs refresh`.
- Notes should include: what changed, user impact, docs links, and exact aliases or endpoints affected.

GitHub CLI example:

```powershell
gh release create v2026.05.08 --title "v2026.05.08 - Catalog and docs refresh" --notes-file RELEASE_NOTES.md
```

If `gh` is unavailable, use GitHub's Releases page and draft a new release from the latest `master` commit.

## Site SEO

- Keep `/docs`, `/models`, `/llms.txt`, `robots.txt`, and the generated sitemap healthy.
- Submit `https://freetheai.xyz/sitemap-index.xml` in Google Search Console.
- Keep page titles and descriptions aligned with real searches: `free OpenAI-compatible API`, `free AI API key`, `free image generation API`, `OpenAI-compatible model catalog`.
- Link internally between the homepage, docs, model catalog, GitHub repo, and Discord.
- Prefer live model catalog links over hardcoded model counts when possible.
- Add long-tail docs when users ask repeated questions, for example `free OpenAI SDK setup`, `free image generation API`, and `Anthropic messages compatible API`.

### Completed SEO Fixes (2026-05)

1. **Root redirect fixed**: Replaced `<meta http-equiv="refresh">` soft redirect at `/` with `Astro.redirect("/home", 301)` producing a proper HTTP redirect with `noindex` on the fallback page. Root URL excluded from sitemap via `filter` option. Canonical points to `/home`. This eliminates duplicate content splitting between `/` and `/home`.

2. **Homepage content added**: Added ~500 words of unique descriptive content targeting the exact phrase "free the ai" and related long-tail keywords (`free OpenAI API alternative`, `free LLM API`, `free image generation API`, `free AI API gateway`). Content covers: what FreeTheAi is, why use a free AI API, what you can build, privacy stance, and getting started steps.

3. **H1 accessibility fixed**: Replaced `line-height:0` with a visible H1 container and added an `.sr-only` span containing "FreeTheAi - Free The AI - Free OpenAI-compatible API with 60+ active models" for screen readers and search engines.

4. **Title tags differentiated**: Homepage title changed to `"FreeTheAi - Free OpenAI-Compatible AI API | No Credit Card"` while keeping "Free The AI" in crawlable page text. Other pages use distinct titles to prevent cannibalization:
   - `/docs`: "FreeTheAi API Docs - OpenAI-Compatible Chat, Images, Models"
   - `/models`: "FreeTheAi Model Catalog - Free OpenAI-Compatible AI Models"
   - `/pricing`: "FreeTheAi Paid API Pricing - $8 Higher-Power Model Slots"
   - `/status`: "FreeTheAi Status"

5. **Keywords enriched**: Added `"free the ai"` as the first keyword in `site.ts` defaults. Updated site description to include "free the ai" phrasing.

6. **Structured data expanded**: Added FAQPage, HowTo, BreadcrumbList, CollectionPage, SoftwareApplication, WebAPI, Service, and Organization JSON-LD schemas across public pages. FAQ schema targets rich-snippet eligibility for queries like "is FreeTheAi really free" and "how to get a free AI API key".

7. **AI discoverability**: Added `<link rel="llms.txt" href="/llms.txt">` to document head for LLM-crawler discovery. Added `<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-US">` for internationalization signals.

### Post-Deploy Checklist

- [ ] Submit updated `https://freetheai.xyz/sitemap-index.xml` in Google Search Console
- [ ] Request indexing for the homepage (`/home`) via GSC URL Inspection tool
- [ ] Monitor Coverage report for "Crawled, currently not indexed" over the next 2-4 weeks
- [ ] Check that Google is showing FAQ rich snippets for the homepage within 4-6 weeks
- [ ] Verify `/` returns a 301 redirect (not 200) in browser devtools Network tab

## Distribution

- Use one strong launch post, then follow-up posts with different angles.
- Good angles for this project: free OpenAI-compatible API, no billing, Discord key signup, image generation, model catalog, and privacy stance.
- Post where developer intent is high: X, Hacker News, Reddit dev communities, GitHub discussions, and AI builder Discords.
- Respond quickly during the first 24 hours after a post or release.
- Convert objections into docs and link back to the exact docs section.