Answer engine optimization: a step-by-step method and prompt

Answer engine optimization (AEO) is the practice of writing pages so search features and AI assistants can pull a clean, correct answer from them. In practice that means answer-first openings, one idea per section, question-style headings, self-contained paragraphs, tables for comparisons, and an FAQ that mirrors real queries.

What it is

Answer engines include featured snippets, Google's AI features, and assistants like Perplexity or ChatGPT search. They work by retrieving passages, not whole pages. A passage that makes sense on its own, names its subject and gives the answer up front is more likely to be quoted.

Google's guidance on AI features says the same SEO fundamentals apply: helpful, crawlable content. AEO is about formatting that helpful content so each part stands alone.

When to use it

• Writing any page that targets a question keyword.
• Refreshing pages that rank but never win the snippet.
• After a GEO audit shows assistants skip your pages.
• Writing docs, glossaries and FAQ pages.

Step-by-step method

1. List the questions the page must answer. Use "People also ask", Search Console queries, sales calls and AI assistant follow-up suggestions. Pick one main question and four to six supporting ones.
2. Write the answer first. Open the page with a 40 to 60 word paragraph that answers the main question directly. No scene-setting, no history.
3. Turn headings into questions or clear claims. "How long does X take?" beats "Timing considerations". Each H2 should map to one query.
4. Make every section self-contained. Start each section with its own direct answer. Repeat the subject by name instead of "it" or "this", so the passage makes sense when lifted out.
5. Use structure that extracts well. Numbered steps for processes, tables for comparisons, short definition sentences ("X is a Y that does Z").
6. Back claims with sources. Link the primary source next to any number or fact. Assistants and readers both trust sourced passages more.
7. Add an FAQ with real queries. Four to six questions phrased the way people type them, each answered in one to three sentences. Mark it up with FAQPage schema where appropriate.
8. Show freshness. Display an updated date and keep facts current.

Ready-to-use prompt

You are an editor optimizing a page for answer engines (featured snippets and AI assistants).

Main question: [QUESTION]
Supporting questions: [LIST 4-6]
Current draft or page text: [PASTE]

Rewrite the page so that:
1. It opens with a 40 to 60 word direct answer to the main question.
2. Each H2 is a question or clear claim matching one supporting question.
3. Each section starts with a 1 to 2 sentence direct answer, then detail.
4. No section depends on another to make sense. Replace vague pronouns with the subject name.
5. Comparisons are tables. Processes are numbered steps.
6. Keep every fact from the original. Do not add statistics. Mark any claim that needs a source with [SOURCE NEEDED].
7. End with an FAQ of 4 to 6 questions with 1 to 3 sentence answers.

Return the rewritten page in markdown.

Checklist

• One main question and 4 to 6 supporting questions defined
• 40 to 60 word direct answer at the top
• Headings phrased as questions or clear claims
• Each section opens with its own answer
• No vague pronouns at the start of sections
• Tables for comparisons, numbered lists for steps
• Facts linked to primary sources
• FAQ with real query phrasing
• Updated date visible

How Thig automates it

The Writer agent drafts every article answer-first, with self-contained sections and an FAQ, then adds FAQ and Article schema before publishing. The GEO agent tells it which questions assistants answer without you, so effort goes where visibility is missing.