Creating AI-friendly content is now essential for SEO success.
As Google and other AI systems evolve from “search engines” to “answer engines,” they no longer return just pages, they return passages.
This shift demands a new writing approach: one that supports Query Fan-Out (QFO), where a single user question can spark dozens of AI-generated sub-queries.
This guide walks you through exactly how to optimize for that reality.
Structure Your Content for AI Mode Optimization
AI Mode extracts short, self-contained passages—typically 40–60 words.
These must stand alone, answer a specific question directly, and avoid hedging or fluff.
What Makes a Passage Extractable?
A great extractable paragraph includes a subject, direct claim, relevant data or comparison, and source.
Example:
“Slack supports up to 1,000 users per channel, while Microsoft Teams supports up to 25,000 users per team, according to their official documentation. This makes Teams more scalable for large enterprises, whereas Slack’s interface and app ecosystem remain popular with small to mid-sized teams.”
Must-Haves for Every Passage:
- Start with the answer
- Include brand/product names
- Make numeric comparisons where possible
- Avoid pronouns like “this” or “it”
- Write for clarity, not style
Make It Semantically and Structurally Clear
AI Mode is built on dense-retrieval and passage-level analysis.
That means the formatting and semantics of your content affect whether it’s cited.
Tips for Semantic Clarity:
- Use H2s for each facet and H3s for each sub-query
- Avoid using vague transitions—get to the point
- Prefer “subject-verb-object” phrasing (e.g., “Slack integrates with 2,000+ apps”)
- Use proper HTML structure and clean schema
Numeric vs. Relative Language:
- Better: “Plan A costs $50/month; Plan B is $70/month”
- Avoid: “Plan A is cheaper than Plan B”
Map the Fan-Out: Hidden and Comparative Queries
Fan-out content planning means going beyond the obvious.
Google’s AI system fans out every major query into sub-questions, including implicit, related, and comparative versions.
Types of Fan-Out Sub-Queries:
- Implicit: “Is this worth it?” = “Is [product] a good investment?”
- Comparative: “X vs Y” = “How does [tool A] compare to [tool B]?”
- Feature-focused: “What’s the battery life of [model]?”
How to Manually Map Fan-Out:
- Enter your core topic into AlsoAsked or Google’s PAA
- Extract at least 10–15 sub-queries
- Group them by facet
- Write 40–60 word standalone paragraphs for each
- Track updates and AI Mode citations over time
Expand Visibility with Visual and Video Content
AI Mode is multi-modal. It pulls from blog copy, video transcripts, infographics, and schema-marked images.
Formats That Improve AI Visibility:
- Blog post with extractable passages
- 3-minute video with full transcript (VideoObject schema)
- Infographic/chart with ImageObject schema
Optimization Checklist:
- Include alt text with full sentence summaries
- Use schema to identify visual/video assets
- Transcribe videos and embed in-page
Test Content with Real User Personas
AI Mode personalizes results. That means your generic search test might not reveal what others see.
Persona Testing Strategy:
- Create Google profiles for key personas (e.g., “freelancer in NY”)
- Run incognito and logged-in tests
- Track which passages get cited and which don’t
- Adjust based on passage format, order, clarity
Implement With Focus: A 4-Week Sprint Plan
Don’t boil the ocean. Focus your AI optimization in sprints.
Week-by-Week Breakdown:
Week 1: Fan-out research for 2 high-priority pages Week 2: Rewrite passages on those pages (40–60 words each) Week 3: Add visuals, schema, and 3-minute video Week 4: Run persona tests, adjust formatting, compare citations
Sustain Visibility After the Citation
AI Mode is zero-click by default. Your real job? Win the citation, then convert the user.
Two-Layer Content Model:
- Layer 1 (For AI): Standalone, answer-first, factual passages
- Layer 2 (For Humans): Narrative, emotion, and context after the AI quote
Example:
- AI-Friendly: “Yes, the Mach-E qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV credit.”
- Narrative Add-on: “This reduces its effective price by 10%, making EVs more accessible for families.”
FAQs About Writing for AI Mode and Query Fan-Out
What is Query Fan-Out in SEO?
Query Fan-Out is a process where a single user question is broken into dozens of related sub-queries by AI systems like Google’s. These are then answered in parallel and merged into an AI Overview.
How many words should an AI-optimized passage be?
The ideal length is 40–60 words. This fits Google’s extraction window and supports standalone answers.
What tools help with fan-out research?
AlsoAsked, Keyword Insights, and People Also Ask tools can all help you extract likely sub-queries and structure your content accordingly.
Next Step:
Review your top content.
Are your passages stand-alone?
Do they answer fan-out questions? If not, it’s time to revise.
Use this guide as your playbook, and win the AI citation before your competitors do.
