What Kinds of Pages Get Cited?

2023-10-27

What Kinds of Pages Get Cited?

Our analysis reveals a clear pattern in the types of content that AI search engines favor. It's not just about authority scores anymore; it's about content format and relevance.

Top Performers

1. Documentation & Wikis

Official documentation and wiki-style pages are the gold standard. They provide structured, verifiable facts that AIs can easily parse.

2. High-Quality Listicles

Well-organized listicles (like "Top 10 CRM Tools") are frequently cited because they condense complex topics into digestible chunks.

3. Community Discussions (Reddit, Quora)

User-generated content from platforms like Reddit and Quora is gaining traction, especially for subjective queries and product reviews.

4. G2 & Capterra Reviews

Review sites are heavily cited for software comparisons and product evaluations, providing data-backed insights.

Why Format Matters

AI models prefer content that is:

  • Concise: Clear answers without fluff.
  • Structured: Headers, lists, and tables.
  • Authoritative: Backed by reputable domains.

Takeaway

To rank in the new search landscape, focus on creating content that mimics these high-performing formats.