US Counties
counties
Every US county and county equivalent.
Median score
33
across 3016 sites
Middle half
28–33
spread around the median
Full range
13–74
lowest to highest
Gated
2636 of 3016
block AI crawlers outright
Middle of 14 cohorts. All cohorts 50 · best cohort 58.
Where this list came from
The source, and how we filtered it
| Source | US counties and county equivalents, Census Vintage 2025, US Census Bureau, with CISA and Wikidata (2025-vintage) |
|---|---|
| License | No restriction on the combined list. The roster is a work of the US federal government and carries no copyright, the CISA .gov registry is public domain, and Wikidata is CC0 1.0 Universal; the cohort goes out under the Census's CC BY-SA 4.0 like the rest. |
| How we filtered it | The roster is every row of the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 subcounty estimates (sub-est2025.csv) with SUMLEV 050, which is 3,144 counties and county equivalents. Each county's address was looked up in the CISA .gov registry first, then in Wikidata (P856, official website, joined on the FIPS code in P882) where the registry had nothing, then resolved by hand for the remainder; every hand-resolved row was confirmed by loading the site. 57 rows carry no address, each with the reason: 27 county equivalents with no general-purpose county government, 6 South Dakota counties that maintain no website, and 24 that are unresolved and want a manual pass. |
| Built | 2026-10-11 |
The filtering is ours and is disclosed as ours. The source published a list; the decision about which rows of it belong in a cohort was a judgment call, and it is written down so somebody can disagree with it.
Distribution
Where the 3016 sites land
| Grade | Share of the cohort | Sites | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adequate | 110 | 3.6% | |
| Not ready | 2507 | 83.1% | |
| Weak | 399 | 13.2% |
By dimension
What the cohort earns, dimension by dimension
The mean share of each dimension’s available points that this cohort earned. Low here means the whole sector is weak on it, not that one site dragged an average down. The per-site spread is in the dataset.
| Dimension | Mean share earned | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| #1 · Reach
These parameters determine the fundamental ease of access that AI has to your site information. |
50% | |
| #2 · Read
AI generally turns off JavaScript. Does your site information survive without it? |
25% | |
| #3 · Understand
Does a machine know who and what you are? |
20% | |
| #4 · Act
Sitemaps, redirects, 404s, licensing terms, and not wasting the crawl budget. |
67% |
How much of each site we read
The cap is 32 URLs and it is a ceiling, not a promise. A portal whose every link points at a different host yields one page; a university yields the full sample. The median here is 1, the range 1–32, published so that "we sampled 32 URLs per site" cannot become a claim the data does not support.
93 sites in this cohort served a certificate we could not verify. They were read anyway and scored normally, because reporting no response for a site every browser loads would describe our TLS stack rather than the site, and each one carries the finding in its row.
Where this cohort fails
12 tests almost nobody in this cohort passes
Universal — nobody passes these
| Test | What it asks | Failing | Of | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXT-11 | Have you marked the part of a page that answers a spoken question? | 3016 | 0 | |
| EXT-12 | Do you tell search engines the moment a page changes? | 3016 | 0 | |
| EXT-14 | Does your site offer its actions to AI browsers as tools? | 2169 | 0 | |
| EXT-16 | Do you publish a card or a skills list for the agents you run? | 3016 | 0 | |
| EXT-17 | Do you list your agents in your domain's DNS records? | 2655 | 0 | |
| EXT-18 | Do you tell AI shoppers how they can pay? | 7 | 0 | |
| EXT-2 | Do you list your APIs and agent tools where agents look for them? | 72 | 0 | |
| EXT-7 | If you run real question-and-answer pages, are they marked as such? | 22 | 0 | |
| RED-10 | Do you offer a plain-text (Markdown) copy of your pages? | 357 | 2 | |
| RED-12 | If a machine asks for Markdown, does your site give it? | 3016 | 2 | |
| UND-2 | Does your site use the page labels that search engines still read for what you publish? | 3016 | 3 | |
| UND-9 | If a page is behind a paywall, does it say so? | 1 | 2 |
Near-universal — 95% and above
| Test | What it asks | Failing | Of | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UND-1 | Does your site say clearly who you are? | 3016 | 2 | |
| UND-10 | Does your page code link to your official profiles elsewhere? | 3016 | 2 | |
| PST-2 | Have you posted a Content Signals statement about what AI may do with your content? | 3016 | 0 | |
| EXT-1 | Do you publish an llms.txt file for coding assistants? | 3016 | 0 | |
| RED-5 | Do your PDFs and images have their own rules for search and quoting? | 357 | 1 | |
| MSR-7 | Are you set up in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, and do you read their AI reports? | 3016 | 0 | |
| UND-6 | Are your published and updated dates honest and visible? | 3016 | 6 | |
| EXT-13 | Can an assistant ask your site a question directly? | 3016 | 0 | |
| PST-4 | Have you reserved your text and data mining rights in a form machines can read? | 3016 | 0 | |
| RCH-3 | Does each page say which web address is the real one? | 3016 | 2 | |
| EXT-4 | Can an AI assistant connect to your site as a tool? | 3016 | 0 | |
| EXT-5 | Is your page code one connected description of your organization? | 3016 | 0 | |
| UND-5 | Does the author label in your page code point to that person? | 287 | 1 | |
| RED-13 | Is the page built from real page parts, like header, main and navigation? | 3016 | 1 |
Common — 90 to 95%
Coral bars mark tests worth 2 points or more, the failures that actually move a score.
Every site
Every 3,144, named, with a report for each
Whether or not it has been scanned. Rows with no website on record, sites that were unreachable and sites that turned us away stay in the table with the reason on them, and none of them enters an average: dropping them would shrink the population to the part that was easy to measure. A few points between two neighbors is noise. The box filters every row in the cohort, not only the page you are on; click a header to sort the rows on this page by name or by score.
Showing 1,201–1,300 of 3,144 · page 13 of 32
| Site | Score | Gated | Pages read | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County, Maryland carrollcountymd.govweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Cecil County, Maryland cecilcountymd.govregistered as Cecil County Government in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Charles County, Maryland charlescountymd.govregistered as Charles County Government in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Dorchester County, Maryland dorchestermd.govregistered as Dorchester County, Maryland in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Frederick County, Maryland fcgmd.govregistered as Frederick County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Garrett County, Maryland garrettcountymd.govregistered as Garrett County Commissioners in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Harford County, Maryland harfordcountymd.govregistered as Harford County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Howard County, Maryland howardcountymaryland.govregistered as Howard County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Kent County, Maryland kentcounty.comweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 45 | Gated | 32 | |
| Montgomery County, Maryland montgomerycountymd.govregistered as Montgomery County Maryland in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Prince George's County, Maryland pgcmd.govregistered as Prince George's County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Queen Anne's County, Maryland qac.govregistered as Queen Anne's County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| St. Mary's County, Maryland stmarysmdsao.govregistered as St. Mary's County State's Attorney's Office in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Somerset County, Maryland co.somerset.md.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Talbot County, Maryland talbotcountymd.govregistered as Talbot County Government in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Washington County, Maryland washingtoncountymdvotes.govregistered as Washington County Board of Elections in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Wicomico County, Maryland wicomicocounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Worcester County, Maryland worcestermd.govregistered as Worcester County Government in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Baltimore city, Maryland baltimorecity.govweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Barnstable County, Massachusetts capecod.govregistered as Barnstable County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Berkshire County, Massachusetts no website on recordMA county government abolished | — | No | — | |
| Bristol County, Massachusetts countyofbristol.netweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 51 | Gated | 18 | |
| Dukes County, Massachusetts dukescounty.govregistered as Dukes County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Essex County, Massachusetts no website on recordMA county government abolished | — | No | — | |
| Franklin County, Massachusetts frcog.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 17 | Gated | 32 | |
| Hampden County, Massachusetts pvpc.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 67 | No | 32 | |
| Hampshire County, Massachusetts hampshirecog.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 73 | No | 32 | |
| Middlesex County, Massachusetts no website on recordMA county government abolished | — | No | — | |
| Nantucket County, Massachusetts nantucket-ma.govweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Norfolk County, Massachusetts norfolkcounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 46 | Gated | 32 | |
| Plymouth County, Massachusetts plymouthcountyma.govregistered as Plymouth County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Suffolk County, Massachusetts no website on recordMA county government abolished (Suffolk functions run by City of Boston) | — | No | — | |
| Worcester County, Massachusetts no website on recordMA county government abolished | — | No | — | |
| Alcona County, Michigan alconacounty.govregistered as Alcona County in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Alger County, Michigan algercounty.govregistered as COUNTY OF ALGER in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Allegan County, Michigan allegancounty.orgblockedweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry; not measured: HTTP 403 (Akamai) | — | No | — | |
| Alpena County, Michigan alpenacounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Antrim County, Michigan antrimcountymi.govregistered as Antrim County in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Arenac County, Michigan arenaccountymi.govregistered as Arenac County Commissioners Office in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Baraga County, Michigan baragacounty.govregistered as Baraga County in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Barry County, Michigan barrycounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Bay County, Michigan baycountymi.govregistered as Bay County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Benzie County, Michigan benzieco.govregistered as Benzie County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Berrien County, Michigan berriencountymi.govregistered as County of Berrien in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Branch County, Michigan branchcounty.govregistered as County of Branch, MI in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Calhoun County, Michigan calhouncountymi.govregistered as Calhoun County, Michigan in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Cass County, Michigan casscountymi.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 57 | No | 1 | |
| Charlevoix County, Michigan charlevoixcounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 46 | Gated | 6 | |
| Cheboygan County, Michigan cheboygancounty.netweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 63 | No | 32 | |
| Chippewa County, Michigan chippewacountymi.govregistered as Chippewa County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Clare County, Michigan clareco.netweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 57 | No | 32 | |
| Clinton County, Michigan clinton-county.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 48 | No | 1 | |
| Crawford County, Michigan crawfordco.orgblockedweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry; not measured: HTTP 429 | — | No | — | |
| Delta County, Michigan deltacountymi.govregistered as Delta County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Dickinson County, Michigan dickinsoncountymi.govregistered as Dickinson County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Eaton County, Michigan eatoncounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Emmet County, Michigan emmetcountymi.govregistered as Emmet County in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Genesee County, Michigan geneseecountymi.govregistered as Genesee County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Gladwin County, Michigan gladwincounty-mi.govregistered as Gladwin County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Gogebic County, Michigan gogebic.govregistered as Gogebic County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Grand Traverse County, Michigan gtcountymi.govregistered as Grand Traverse County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Gratiot County, Michigan co.gratiot.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Hillsdale County, Michigan hillsdalecounty.govregistered as Hillsdale County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Houghton County, Michigan houghtoncounty.govregistered as Houghton County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Huron County, Michigan co.huron.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 63 | No | 32 | |
| Ingham County, Michigan inghamcountymi.govregistered as County of Ingham in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Ionia County, Michigan ioniacounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 51 | No | 30 | |
| Iosco County, Michigan ioscocounty.govregistered as Iosco County in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Iron County, Michigan iron.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 55 | No | 32 | |
| Isabella County, Michigan isabellacounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 47 | Gated | 32 | |
| Jackson County, Michigan co.jackson.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 48 | No | 1 | |
| Kalamazoo County, Michigan kalcounty.govregistered as Kalamazoo County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Kalkaska County, Michigan kalkaskacounty.netweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Kent County, Michigan kentcountymi.govregistered as Kent County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Keweenaw County, Michigan keweenawcountymi.govregistered as Keweenaw County in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Lake County, Michigan lakecountymi.govregistered as Lake County Baldwin Michigan in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Lapeer County, Michigan lapeercountymi.govregistered as Lapeer County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Leelanau County, Michigan leelanau.govregistered as Leelanau County in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Lenawee County, Michigan lenawee.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 57 | No | 1 | |
| Livingston County, Michigan milivcounty.govregistered as Livingston County Michigan in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Luce County, Michigan lucecountymi.govregistered as Luce County Government Building in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Mackinac County, Michigan mackinaccounty.netblockedweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry; not measured: HTTP 403 | — | No | — | |
| Macomb County, Michigan macombgov.orgMacomb County's own website, verified by fetching it; the .gov registry lists macombcountymi.gov for the county, which is not the county's main site | 65 | Gated | 32 | |
| Manistee County, Michigan manisteecountymi.govregistered as Manistee County Government in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Marquette County, Michigan co.marquette.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 45 | Gated | 32 | |
| Mason County, Michigan masoncountymi.govregistered as County of Mason in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Mecosta County, Michigan mecostacounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 54 | Gated | 32 | |
| Menominee County, Michigan menomineecountymi.govregistered as Menominee County, MI in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Midland County, Michigan midlandcountymi.govregistered as Midland County, MI in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Missaukee County, Michigan missaukee.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 54 | Gated | 32 | |
| Monroe County, Michigan monroecountymi.govregistered as County of Monroe in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Montcalm County, Michigan montcalmcountymi.govregistered as County of Montcalm in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Montmorency County, Michigan montmorencycountymichigan.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Muskegon County, Michigan muskegoncounty.govregistered as County of Muskegon in the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Newaygo County, Michigan newaygocountymi.govregistered as County of Newaygo in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Oakland County, Michigan oaklandcountymi.govregistered as Oakland County Michigan in the .gov registry | 28 | Gated | 1 | |
| Oceana County, Michigan oceana.mi.usweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 66 | No | 32 | |
| Ogemaw County, Michigan ogemawcountymi.govweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 33 | Gated | 1 | |
| Ontonagon County, Michigan ontonagoncounty.orgweb address from Wikidata (P856), not the .gov registry | 52 | No | 32 | |
| Osceola County, Michigan osceolacountymi.govregistered as Osceola County in the .gov registry; this is the elections office's site, not the county's main site | 28 | Gated | 1 |
Scores are for the population, not for ranking two named sites against each other. A few points between neighbors is noise. See what these numbers can and cannot support. Data: sites.csv · checks.csv · summary.json