I’ve increased AI traffic by up to 2300% for clients. Here are 10 factors that get your content cited in AI search:
1. Clear subheadings that describe exactly what's coming next
No vague "Introduction" headers.
AI tools scan headers to understand content structure.
Descriptive headers make it easier for LLMs to pull relevant sections.
1. Clear subheadings that describe exactly what's coming next
No vague "Introduction" headers.
AI tools scan headers to understand content structure.
Descriptive headers make it easier for LLMs to pull relevant sections.
2. Define concepts in your own words before expanding on them
AI prioritizes self-sufficient content.
When you explain terms upfront, LLMs can cite your definitions without needing external sources.
AI prioritizes self-sufficient content.
When you explain terms upfront, LLMs can cite your definitions without needing external sources.
3. Assume zero prior knowledge
Include "what" and "why" before "how".
Beginner-friendly content gets cited more often. AI tools serve answers to users at different knowledge levels.
Include "what" and "why" before "how".
Beginner-friendly content gets cited more often. AI tools serve answers to users at different knowledge levels.
4. Embed keywords naturally into sentences that answer real questions
LLMs look for conversational answers to queries.
Natural keyword placement helps AI match your content to user questions.
LLMs look for conversational answers to queries.
Natural keyword placement helps AI match your content to user questions.
5. Start broad, then narrow into specifics
General concepts first, details later.
This mirrors how people process information. AI follows the same pattern when extracting and summarizing content.
Start with a high-level explanation and narrow down into how-tos, examples, or specific metrics.
General concepts first, details later.
This mirrors how people process information. AI follows the same pattern when extracting and summarizing content.
Start with a high-level explanation and narrow down into how-tos, examples, or specific metrics.
6. Smooth transitions between sections
Preview what's coming next.
A clear flow helps AI understand how ideas connect.
Better context means more accurate citations.
Preview what's coming next.
A clear flow helps AI understand how ideas connect.
Better context means more accurate citations.
7. Consistent heading hierarchy
H1 for title, H2 for main topics, H3s and H4s for subtopics.
Proper structure tells AI which information is most important.
Hierarchy guides content extraction.
H1 for title, H2 for main topics, H3s and H4s for subtopics.
Proper structure tells AI which information is most important.
Hierarchy guides content extraction.
8. Step-by-step instructions with brief explanations for each step
AI prefers sequential, actionable content.
Clear steps are easier to cite in response to "how-to" queries.
AI prefers sequential, actionable content.
Clear steps are easier to cite in response to "how-to" queries.
9. Cut the fluff
Trim filler words, convert dense paragraphs into bullets.
Concise content is easier for AI to parse and summarize.
Dense text slows down extraction.
Trim filler words, convert dense paragraphs into bullets.
Concise content is easier for AI to parse and summarize.
Dense text slows down extraction.
10. Back up ideas with real data, case studies, and named examples
LLMs check for concrete evidence. Abstract explanations without proof get skipped.
LLMs check for concrete evidence. Abstract explanations without proof get skipped.
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