The Anatomy of a Perfect Blog
Optimising for Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
Headline
One clear promise. Write for humans first, optimise for search second.
Opening Hook
Earn attention in the first 3 lines. Use a stat, a bold claim, or a relatable pain point.
Scannable Layout
Short paragraphs, bullet points, subheadings. Assume readers skim first, read later.
Trust Builders
Cite reputable sources. Link to your own deeper guides, and give context instead of dumping jargon.
Action Paths
Place CTAs where they feel natural, early (soft) and late (primary). Think: subscribe, download, or explore next.
Value Blocks
Explain, illustrate, and provide actionable advice in each section. Break long walls of text with visuals.
Wrap-Up
Recap in under 100 words. End with a clear next step or question.
xyz.com/blog/post-structure-seo
URL Hierarchy
Keep it flat and intuitive: domain.com/category/post-title. Avoid unnecessary depth.
Navigation
Link categories and hubs from menus and footers. Make it easy for users (and search engines) to map your structure.
Tags & Taxonomy
Earn attention immediately. Make it easy for users (and search engines) to map your structure.
Internal Linking
Tie each post into your topic clusters. Link to and from pillar pages. Use descriptive anchor text.
Categories & Hubs
Group related content into clear categories. Create hub pages that act as the central "pillar" for each topic.
The CITE Framework™
Apply our proprietary methodology to create AI-citable blog content:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is blog structure so important for AEO?
AI systems extract and cite well-structured content because they need to parse and understand information quickly. Clear headings (H1, H2, H3), scannable layouts, and direct answers in the opening create "AI extraction zones"—predictable places where AI looks for citable content. Research shows LLMs have light preferences: Perplexity and AI Overviews weigh word and sentence count higher, while ChatGPT favours domain rating and readability. Structure determines whether you're cited or ignored.
What's the optimal word count for AEO-focused blogs?
High-performing blog posts fall within 1,500-2,500 words, with 1,928 words as the sweet spot for maximum engagement. However, AI visibility requires strategic structure within that length: opening paragraph (40-60 words direct answer), each H2 section (200-400 words), FAQ answers (50-100 words each). Listicles perform best at 2,200-2,800 words; definitional "What Is" posts at 1,200-1,800 words; how-to guides at 1,700-2,500 words.
How long should my opening paragraph be?
Aim for 40-60 words that directly answer the main question. AI systems extract the first paragraph as the primary answer candidate—this is your most important "extraction zone." Don't waste the opening on generic introductions. Lead with your best insight, a compelling stat, or the direct answer to the query. Pages with semantic URLs (5-7 words describing content) get 11.4% more citations, so align your opening with URL intent.
Where should I place CTAs for best results?
Two strategic placements: an early "soft" CTA (after the first value section—around 25% through) and a late "hard" CTA (in the conclusion). The early CTA catches engaged skimmers; the late CTA captures readers who consumed everything. Importantly for AEO, keep CTAs in their own containers—AI systems skip promotional content when extracting answers. Don't litter the page with CTAs; two well-placed ones outperform five scattered ones.
How do trust builders help with AI visibility?
AI systems evaluate source credibility through trust signals: citations to authoritative sources, author credentials, original data, and internal links. ChatGPT specifically favours domain rating and Flesch readability scores. When you cite reputable sources and link to your own in-depth content, you're building the signals AI uses to determine citation worthiness. Adding Article schema with author information strengthens these signals further.
Which schema types should I add to blog posts?
Implement FAQ schema for question-answer sections (highest AEO impact), Article schema for authorship credibility, and HowTo schema for step-by-step content. FAQ rich results have an 87% average CTR. While Google deprecated FAQ rich results for most sites in 2023, the schema still significantly increases chances of appearing in featured snippets and AI citations. Pages with properly structured schema see 2.5x more AI citations on average.