Query fan-out
Query fan-out is when an AI search system splits one question into many related searches, then combines the results into a single answer.
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What Query fan-out means
Asked "best CRM for a five-person agency", a fan-out system might search for CRM pricing, agency CRM reviews, CRM comparisons and specific products, then read the top results for each. Google describes AI Mode and AI Overviews this way, and ChatGPT and Perplexity behave similarly.
For a brand, fan-out means you can be cited for a question you do not rank for directly, by ranking for one of its subtopics. Pages that answer specific subquestions clearly have more ways in.