The AEO FAQ Strategy That Captures High Intent Questions

Search has changed. In the past, you typed a word into Google and clicked a link. Today, AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews just give you the answer right away. This is called Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

If your brand isn’t the one the AI chooses to talk about, you basically don't exist to the buyer. The best way to fix this is with a smart FAQ strategy. By setting up your questions and answers the right way, you can become the "source of truth" that AI recommends to everyone.

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The Problem: Clicks are Disappearing

We are living in the "Great Decoupling." This is a fancy way of saying that even if people see your name, they might not click on your website. In fact, over 50% of Google searches now end with "zero clicks" because the AI already gave the user what they needed.

By 2026, experts think AI will take over 25% of all search traffic. To win, you have to stop worrying about being #1 on a list and start worrying about being the citation—the source the AI links to at the bottom of its answer.

How to Capture the Modern Buyer

To get an AI to recommend you, you need to answer questions that show a person is ready to buy. Most people use AI for three types of questions:

1. Learning (Informational): "How do I fix a leaky sink?"
2. Comparing (Commercial): "Which sink brand lasts the longest?"
3. Buying (Transactional): "Where can I buy a stainless steel sink near me?"

AI is very good at answering the "learning" questions, which means traffic to basic "how-to" guides has dropped by almost 88%. You should focus your FAQs on the "Comparing" and "Buying" stages. This is where the real money is.

The "Answer-First" Framework

AI is like a robot that doesn't want to hunt for information. If you hide your answer at the bottom of a long page, the AI will ignore you. Use the Answer-First rule:  

• Heading: Make your heading a direct question (H2 or H3 tags).  
• The Answer: Write a clear, 40 to 60-word answer immediately under the heading. This is the "Goldilocks zone"—not too short, not too long.  
• The Details: Add bullet points or a table below that for people who want to read more.  

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Technical Basics: Talking to the Robots

You need to make your website easy for AI "crawlers" to read. Think of these as digital librarians looking for facts.

• Schema Markup: This is code that tells the AI, "Hey, this part is a question, and this part is the answer".  
• llms.txt: This is a new, simple text file you put on your website. It’s like a "cheat sheet" that tells AI models exactly which pages are the most important to read.  
• Speed Matters: If your page is slow or messy, the AI might skip it.  

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Trust is the New Currency

In a world full of fake, AI-written content, being real matters more than ever. AI engines now look for "human-verified" signals.  

1. Use Real Data: Share your own research or customer stories. AI prefers original facts over recycled ones.  
2. Expert Bios: Every answer should be linked to a real person with a real job title.  
3. Digital Signatures: New tech lets you "sign" your content to prove a human actually wrote it and it hasn't been changed by a hacker.  

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Measuring Success

Since clicks are down, you need new ways to see if you’re winning. Instead of checking how many people visited your site, check your Citation Dominance—how often AI engines like ChatGPT or Perplexity name you as their source.

Metric

Citation Share: How often AI picks you over a competitor

Sentiment: Does the AI sound happy or sad when it mentions you?

Assisted Leads: People who saw you in an AI answer and then called you

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Key Takeaways

• Put the answer first. Don't make the AI (or the reader) wait.  
• Use simple language. Write like you are talking to a friend over coffee.  
• Focus on buying questions. Answer the questions people ask right before they spend money.  
• Be the expert. Use original data and show who wrote the content.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important part of AEO?

The most important part is structure. If your answer is clear and easy for a computer to find, you are much more likely to be cited as the source.  

Does traditional SEO still work?

Yes, but it's just the starting point. You still need a fast website and good links, but you also need to optimize for AI answers if you want to stay visible.  

How long should my FAQ answers be?

Aim for 40 to 60 words for the main answer. This is the perfect length for AI to "lift" and show to a user.  

What is an llms.txt file?

It is a simple text file on your website that gives AI models a direct map of your best content. It helps them understand your site without getting confused.  

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