How to write content that AI assistants cite
AI assistants cite passages that answer a specific question directly, with facts they can check. The pages they use most have question-shaped headings, a one- or two-sentence answer under each, then evidence: numbers, sources, quotes, examples and tables. Write every section so it would still make sense if it were the only part of the page someone read.
Updated · Citable
Five principles
- Answer first. The answer in the first one or two sentences, then context. Assistants extract passages; if the answer is in paragraph six, it is less likely to be found.
- Be specific. "Costs $239, paid once" beats "affordable". "Up to 100 directories" beats "many". Vague claims give an assistant nothing to repeat.
- Show your evidence. Cite sources, link primary documents, quote named people, include figures with dates.
- Stand alone. Each section should make sense out of context: name the subject instead of "it" or "this".
- Stay current. Visible "updated" dates, current year in time-sensitive titles, prices that match today.
What the research found
The 2023 GEO paper tested nine ways of rewriting web pages and measured how much generative engines used them. The best performers were adding quotations from relevant sources, adding statistics, and citing sources, each lifting visibility substantially (up to about 40% in the benchmark). Making text more fluent and easier to understand helped moderately. Keyword stuffing did not help. Results varied by domain: what works for history questions differs from what works for product questions.
A page template
H1: [The question, in the buyer's words]
[Direct answer in 1–2 sentences, naming the subject.]
Key points: 3–5 bullets
H2: [Sub-question 1]
[Answer sentence.] [Evidence: number, source, example.]
H2: [Comparison or options]
[Table: option · cost · best for · trade-off]
H2: How to [do the thing]
1. [Step]
2. [Step]
H2: Questions people ask
[3–6 short Q&As]
Sources: [primary documents linked]
Updated: [date]Every guide on this site follows this structure; how to get cited by ChatGPT is an example.
Formats assistants like to use
| Format | Good for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | "What is X?" | "Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs' 0–100 score of a site's backlink strength." |
| Comparison table | "X vs Y", "best X" | Option · price · best for |
| Numbered steps | "How to…" | Setup instructions |
| Statistic with source | "How much…", "how many…" | "A 400-word national release is reported at $850–$1,150 on major US wires (2026)." |
| Pros and cons | "Is X worth it?" | Two short lists |
What to avoid
- Long introductions before the answer.
- Superlatives without evidence ("the best", "revolutionary").
- Key facts only in images, videos or interactive widgets without text.
- Many thin pages on the same question; consolidate into one strong page.
- Content written for a keyword rather than a reader. It is what the engines are trained to skip.
Questions people ask
Does word count matter for AI citations?
Not directly. A short page with a clear answer can be cited over a long one. Long pages do well when they cover several sub-questions clearly, which fanned-out searches can each match.
Should I write for AI or for people?
For people, in a structure that machines can parse. The habits that help assistants (direct answers, evidence, clear headings) are the ones readers prefer too.