GEO Content Architecture: How to Structure Pages for AI Citations

Use one H1 per page (the main topic). Use H2 for major sections and H3 for subsections. Descriptive headings (e.g., “The 7 Core GEO Ranking Factors”) outperform question-style headings (e.g., “What Are the GEO Ranking Factors?”) for citations (LLM ranking research).

Headings should summarize the section in a way that is scannable and matchable to query intent. For full structure guidance, see LLM ranking factors.

Section Structure (120–180 Words per Section Optimal)

Sections of 120–180 words give enough context for the model to match and cite without overwhelming a single block. Shorter sections can lack context; longer ones can dilute focus.

Each section should cover one clear subtopic, with 2–4 paragraphs of 40–60 words each. Include at least one statistic, quote, or citation per section where possible. For depth targets, see how to rank in ChatGPT.

Tables and Comparison Formats

Comparison or data tables improve citation likelihood. They make information easy to extract and compare. Include at least one table per article—e.g., GEO vs SEO, tool comparison, or data summary.

Use proper markdown or HTML table structure and clear headers. Tables support both GEO and traditional SEO.

FAQ Structure and Schema (5–15 FAQs per Major Page)

5–7 FAQs per major page (or 5–15 for pillar pages) in natural language improve match to user questions. Place them at the end; use question as heading, answer in 40–60 words below.

Implement FAQ schema (JSON-LD) for eligible Q&A pairs. Schema alone does not guarantee citations (LLM ranking research), but combined with depth and authority it supports structure. See schema markup for GEO.

Internal Linking Architecture (Authority Flow, Contextual Anchors)

Use 5–10 internal links per article with contextual anchor text. Avoid exact-match keyword anchors (e.g., “GEO optimization”); use natural phrases (e.g., “our breakdown of how LLMs choose sources”).

Link from high-authority pages (pillars) to supporting pages and back. Internal links help crawlability and topical association. For site-wide structure, see what is GEO and cluster linking in the content plan.

Technical Implementation Checklist

• Answer-first paragraph (40–60 words) at top.
• Single H1; descriptive H2/H3; no question-style headings only.
• Paragraphs 40–60 words; sections 120–180 words.
• At least one comparison or data table.
• 5–7 FAQs (or 5–15 for pillars) with clear Q&A format.
• 15+ statistics with sources; 3–5 expert quotes.
• 5–10 internal links with contextual anchors.
• Organization and Article schema; FAQ schema where applicable (schema markup).
• Word count 2,900+ for priority pages; 3,500–6,000 as appropriate.
• Last updated date and freshness.

For a full 50-point assessment, see technical GEO audit checklist. For tracking results, see how to track AI visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer-first principle?
Answer-first means stating the direct answer to the user’s intent in the first 40–60 words of the page. It improves match and extractability for both users and AI systems. See what is GEO for an example.

How long should paragraphs be for GEO?
40–60 words per paragraph is optimal. Long blocks reduce extractability; very short paragraphs can feel choppy. See writing AI-extractable content.

Should I use question-style headings?
Descriptive H2/H3 headings tend to get more citations than question-style headings. Use clear, declarative headings. See LLM ranking factors.

How many FAQs should I add?
5–7 FAQs per major page (or 5–15 for pillar pages) in natural language. Place at the end; use FAQ schema where applicable. See schema markup for GEO.

Do internal links need exact-match keywords?
No. Use contextual anchor text (e.g., “our breakdown of LLM ranking factors”). Avoid exact-match keyword stuffing. Link to related articles in the same cluster and adjacent clusters.

What word count is best for GEO?
2,900+ words for priority pages; 3,500–6,000 depending on topic and depth. Depth correlates with citation likelihood. See how to rank in ChatGPT.

Where can I get a full GEO audit checklist?
Use our technical GEO audit checklist for a 50-point assessment. Combine with AI visibility tracking to measure impact.