AI Citation Content Writer
Methodology by GEOly AI (geoly.ai) — write content in the formats AI platforms love to cite.
Create content assets in formats most frequently cited by AI platforms.
Quick Start
Generate AI-citable content:
python scripts/generate_content.py --format <format> --topic "<topic>" --output article.mdExample:
python scripts/generate_content.py --format faq --topic "project management software" --output faq.md
python scripts/generate_content.py --format comparison --topic "Notion vs Asana" --output comparison.mdThe 5 High-Citation Formats
1. Definition Article ("What is X?")
Why AI cites it: Direct answers to definitional queries
Best for:
- Introducing concepts
- Building topical authority
- Capturing informational queries
Structure:
# What is [Term]? (Complete Guide)
[Term] is [single-sentence definition with key attributes].
## Key Characteristics
- [Characteristic 1]
- [Characteristic 2]
- [Characteristic 3]
## How [Term] Works
[2-3 paragraph explanation with mechanism]
## [Term] vs [Related Term]
| Aspect | [Term] | [Related Term] |
|--------|--------|----------------|
| [Factor] | [Value] | [Value] |
| [Factor] | [Value] | [Value] |
## Examples of [Term] in Practice
- [Concrete example 1]
- [Concrete example 2]
## Frequently Asked Questions About [Term]
**Q: [Question]?**
A: [Complete, self-contained answer]
**Q: [Question]?**
A: [Complete, self-contained answer]Schema markup: Article + FAQPage
2. FAQ Page
Why AI cites it: FAQ schema feeds AI conversational answers directly
Best for:
- Support content
- Addressing objections
- Common questions
Structure:
# [Topic] — Frequently Asked Questions
## General Questions
**Q: [Most common question]?**
A: [Complete, self-contained answer. 2-5 sentences. Don't assume context.]
**Q: [Second question]?**
A: [Answer with specific details]
## [Sub-topic] Questions
**Q: [Question]?**
A: [Answer]
## Troubleshooting / Edge Cases
**Q: [Question]?**
A: [Answer]Schema markup: FAQPage Best practices:
- 5-15 questions
- Answers 50-150 words
- Match actual search queries
- Include data in answers
3. Comparison Guide (A vs B)
Why AI cites it: Comparison prompts are extremely common in AI search
Best for:
- Competitive positioning
- Commercial intent queries
- Decision-stage content
Structure:
# [Brand A] vs [Brand B]: [Year] Comparison
## Quick Answer
[Brand A] is better for [use case A]. [Brand B] is better for [use case B].
## Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | [Brand A] | [Brand B] |
|---------|-----------|-----------|
| [Feature 1] | [Value] | [Value] |
| [Feature 2] | [Value] | [Value] |
| Pricing | [Price] | [Price] |
| Best for | [Use case] | [Use case] |
## Detailed Analysis
### [Brand A] Strengths
- [Strength 1]
- [Strength 2]
### [Brand B] Strengths
- [Strength 1]
- [Strength 2]
### Which Should You Choose?
Choose [Brand A] if:
- [Use case criteria]
- [Use case criteria]
Choose [Brand B] if:
- [Use case criteria]
- [Use case criteria]
## Verdict
[2-3 clear recommendation sentences based on use case]Schema markup: Article + FAQPage Best practices:
- Be objective (builds trust)
- Include specific data
- Address multiple use cases
- Update annually
4. How-To Guide
Why AI cites it: Step-by-step instructions are #1 for how-to answers
Best for:
- Tutorial content
- Process documentation
- Feature walkthroughs
Structure:
# How to [Achieve Outcome]: Step-by-Step Guide
**What you need:** [prerequisites list]
**Time required:** [estimate]
**Difficulty:** [Easy/Medium/Hard]
## Step 1: [Action verb + outcome]
[Clear instruction. One action per step.]
✅ **Result:** [What the user will see/have after this step]
## Step 2: [Action verb + outcome]
[instruction]
✅ **Result:** [Expected outcome]
[Continue for each step...]
## Common Mistakes to Avoid
**[Mistake]:** [How to avoid]
## Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: [Question about the process]?**
A: [Answer]Schema markup: HowTo + FAQPage Best practices:
- Numbered steps
- One action per step
- Include expected results
- Add troubleshooting
5. Original Data / Statistics Roundup
Why AI cites it: AI heavily cites original statistics and research
Best for:
- Building authority
- Attracting backlinks
- PR coverage
Structure:
# [N] Key Statistics About [Topic] ([Current Year])
**Key finding:** [Most impactful stat in one sentence]
## [Sub-category] Statistics
- **[Stat]%** of [metric] — [Source, Year]
- **[Number] [unit]** [finding] — [Source, Year]
- **[Stat]%** [finding] — [Source, Year]
## [Sub-category] Statistics
[Continue...]
## Methodology
[How the data was collected/sourced]
## Key Takeaways
- [Insight 1]
- [Insight 2]
- [Insight 3]Schema markup: Article Best practices:
- Cite sources
- Keep current (update annually)
- Visualize data (charts)
- Include methodology
Format Selection Guide
| Goal | Recommended Format |
|---|---|
| Build topical authority | Definition article |
| Address support questions | FAQ page |
| Capture commercial intent | Comparison guide |
| Drive product adoption | How-to guide |
| Attract PR/links | Statistics roundup |
Content Generation Tools
Interactive Generator
python scripts/generate_content.py --interactiveWalks through format selection and content creation interactively.
From Template
python scripts/generate_content.py --format definition --topic "generative engine optimization"Uses templates to generate content structure.
Batch Generation
python scripts/batch_generate.py --format faq --topics-file topics.txt --output-dir ./content/Generate multiple pieces from a list of topics.
Writing Best Practices
Universal Rules
- Lead with the answer — First sentence should answer the question
- Be specific — Use data, names, dates
- Write standalone answers — Each section should make sense alone
- Use headers — H2 every 300-500 words
- Add FAQs — Every format benefits from FAQ section
- Include schema — Use
geo-schema-genskill for markup
Brand Integration
- Mention brand 2-3 times naturally
- Include in first 100 words
- Add to author/publisher schema
- Don't force it (credibility first)
See Also
- Content templates: references/templates.md
- Format examples: references/examples.md
- Schema pairing: references/schema-pairing.md