How to write pages AI engines cite

Why it matters

Engines that write answers need pages they can pull a clear statement from. A page that buries the answer under 300 words of introduction gives them little to use, and a page that repeats what 20 other sites say gives them no reason to pick yours.

Google says that unique, valuable, non-commodity content will likely influence a site's presence in generative AI search more than any other suggestion in its guide. That is a useful rule for every engine, since good evidence is what any answer needs.

Key takeaways

• One page, one question. Put the direct answer in the first 2 sentences.
• Facts only you can state, such as prices, service areas, timelines, and first-hand experience, are what separate a page from commodity content.
• Headings that mirror real questions help people and machines find the right section.
• A page that is not indexed, or is blocked, cannot be used. Check access before you polish the copy.

Step by step

1. Pick the question the page owns

   Choose a question a customer really asks, taken from your prompt list. Give it a page of its own instead of adding another paragraph to a long catch-all page. Use that question, or a close version of it, as the heading.

2. Answer it in the first 2 sentences

   Write a direct answer of 40 to 60 words at the top. State the number, the name, the yes or no, or the step. Everything below it should support that answer, not delay it.

3. Add what only you can say

   Include your real price ranges if you can share them, the areas you serve, how long the job takes, what you include and exclude, and what you saw on actual jobs. Google describes this as a unique point of view and first-hand experience. Skip filler that any competitor could paste in.

4. Structure the page for scanning

   Use headings that read like the questions people ask, short paragraphs, and a table when you compare options. Keep important information as text on the page, not inside images. Add real photos or video where they help the reader.

5. Keep facts consistent everywhere

   Your business name, address, hours, prices, and service descriptions should match across the page, your Business Profile, and the listings engines read. If you add structured data, make it match the text people can see. Conflicts make engines repeat the wrong version.

6. Check that the page can be used

   Confirm the page is indexed, returns a normal 200 status, and is not set to noindex or nosnippet. Check robots.txt and any firewall rules for the search bots of the engines you care about. The robots.txt guide lists them.

7. Re-check after the next crawl

   Wait for the page to be recrawled, then look at your tracked prompts for that topic. Note whether you are mentioned or cited and which sources the engine used instead. Revise the page against those sources.

A page outline you can reuse

H1: How much does [service] cost in [city]?

Answer (40 to 60 words)
Most [service] jobs in [city] cost [range], depending on [2 main factors].
We quote after [what you inspect], and the job usually takes [time].

H2: What changes the price
H2: What is included and what is not
H2: How the job works, step by step
H2: Areas we serve
H2: Questions

Questions