Writing website content that AI can read and is willing to cite

When AI search assembles an answer it prefers content that is clearly structured and answers directly. Follow these five principles when writing your website.

1. Answer first, details after

The first sentence of each section answers the question directly, with reasons and exceptions after. Both AI and busy readers catch the point quickly.

2. Write headings in the customer's words

A heading phrased as a question customers ask, such as "How is a website AI assistant trained?", is matched more easily than "Product features".

3. One topic per page

Cover one subject per page, complete but not cluttered. Link to another page for anything further.

4. Keep information consistent

Company name, service names and contact details should read the same on every page. If they differ, AI is unsure which to use.

5. Say who it is for and who it is not for

Stating the suitable situations and limits is honest with customers and makes AI recommendations more accurate.

Add Q&A

Turning the questions customers really ask into a Q&A page is the most direct method: the question is the customer's language and the answer is what you want cited.

Keep it current

Fix outdated prices and retired services promptly. Content must be fresh and correct to withstand being cited.