Model Context Protocol (MCP)
An open protocol that standardizes how AI models and agents connect to external tools, data sources, and services.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard, originally introduced by Anthropic, that defines a consistent way for AI models and agents to connect with external tools, data sources, and applications. Instead of every integration being custom-built, MCP provides a shared interface so an AI client can discover available capabilities and call them in a predictable format.
MCP servers expose resources (data the model can read) and tools (actions the model can take), while MCP clients, such as AI assistants and agents, consume them. This decoupling has made MCP a foundational layer for agentic AI applications.
For the web, MCP is the basis of WebMCP, which lets sites publish a server card at a well-known endpoint so agents can find and use site-specific tools. Understanding MCP helps marketing and product teams prepare for an ecosystem where AI agents act on behalf of users across services.
Related Terms
WebMCP
An emerging browser standard that lets websites expose structured tools and actions directly to AI agents through the Model Context Protocol.
Agentic Web
The emerging layer of the internet designed for autonomous AI agents to navigate, understand, and take actions on behalf of users.
.well-known Endpoints
Standardized URLs under /.well-known/ that let AI agents and services discover a site's capabilities, APIs, and metadata.
AEO Vision Content Team
Insights on AI search visibility, answer engine optimization, and brand discovery across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude, and Google AI Mode.
Track your Model Context Protocol performance
AEO Vision helps brands measure and improve their AI search visibility across every major platform.