AI Endpoint
A JSON file served at a predictable URL on a website that gives AI systems direct, machine-readable access to site identity, content catalog, or operational data.
Also known as: AI API endpoint, machine-readable endpoint
An AI endpoint is a public URL that returns structured data for software to consume. A publisher might expose a manifest, catalog, sitemap, or health response as JSON.
Some machine-readable interfaces use established standards, while many files described as AI endpoints follow a publisher-defined contract. Their usefulness depends on accurate data, documentation, versioning, and a consumer that understands the contract. The filename alone does not create a ranking or citation advantage.
See AI Endpoints Explained for the distinction between standards, proposals, and custom JSON contracts.