Optimizing content for AI in 2025 - AI SEO

Even with technical advancements, AI algorithms, and Google’s constant updates, it’s still high-quality content that dominates search rankings. In 2025, this truth takes on a new dimension with the rise of AI-powered search engines like Perplexity, ChatGPT Search, and the new Google Gemini. But be careful: it’s no longer just about producing long, dense content. To appeal to both Google and generative AI, you now need to create specific formats, address clear user intent, and structure information in a way that is easily understandable—by both humans and machines. In this article, we’ll explain how to create AI-optimized content that truly impacts your SEO strategy. You’ll discover the best-performing formats, top writing practices, and tips to turn your website into an authority in your niche.

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The most effective content formats for AI SEO

FAQ pages: answering real questions

AI engines like ChatGPT or Bard love clear, structured answers. And nothing is more effective than a well-crafted FAQ page for this. These question-answer formats help capture conversational search queries and increase your chances of being featured in AI-generated responses.

To build them effectively, start with the real questions your audience is asking. Use tools like AlsoAsked or AnswerThePublic, and don’t forget to check the 'People Also Ask' section in Google—a simple yet powerful tactic.

Then, structure each question as an H3 or H2, and provide a direct, concise answer in one or two sentences before expanding if needed. This improves indexing and significantly boosts visibility.

How-To tutorials: capturing high-intent searches

“How to” content addresses strong and explicit search intent. It’s highly searched, easy to identify, and extremely effective at attracting qualified traffic.

To nail this format:

• Identify a clear problem or need
• Structure your answer in simple steps (numbered if possible)
• Include screenshots, videos, or infographics
• Put the most important info first—make sure the answer is visible without scrolling.
  

For example, if you’re in B2B, an article like 'How to Generate 100 Leads/Month with LinkedIn' can become a go-to resource if you structure your advice well.

Comparison pages: convert through analysis

A powerful format for both SEO and conversions: comparison or “VS” pages. These target comparison or hesitation intent—perfect for AI engines and warm prospects.

Examples:

• Notion vs Evernote
• Alternatives to Salesforce
• Best SEO Tool for Small Teams.
  

These pages should be objective, well-structured, and visually clear (tables, ratings, pros/cons). Clearly mention who each tool is for, and include a CTA at the end.

Testimonial pages: reassure with social proof

Customer testimonials are often underestimated in SEO. Yet, a well-designed page with authentic reviews, contextual quotes, and concrete benefits can rank well—especially for reputation-related queries.

Avoid generic phrases like 'Great product!'

Prefer instead:

'Marie, HR Director at ScaleX: ‘Thanks to this tool, we cut our recruitment time by 30% in just three months.''

Authority content: become the Go-To source

Comprehensive guides and 'pillar content' help solidify your topical authority. These are long-form pieces (2,000 to 5,000 words), highly structured, with internal links to related subpages.

They serve a dual purpose:

• Strengthening your credibility in Google’s eyes
• Acting as a source for AI engines looking for authoritative citations
  

Example: A guide like 'SEO in 2025: Trends and Strategies' with chapters, expert quotes, and downloadable resources.

BOFU content: turn visitors into customers

'Bottom of the Funnel' content targets a well-informed audience ready to convert. These pages are often overlooked—but shouldn’t be.

Most effective formats include:

• Case studies: Show real results, with metrics, context, and testimonials
• Industry use cases: Highlight a specific issue and how you solved it
• Decision-oriented comparisons: Emphasize clear business benefits
  

These types of content build trust, reinforce credibility, and encourage action. AI models also value them highly due to their informative nature.

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Best practices for AI-friendly content

Creating the right formats is essential. But to truly perform in AI-driven search engines and in SERPs, you also need to follow specific writing rules—ones that support analysis, indexing, and clarity for both human readers and AI models.

Put the essentials first

A common SEO mistake is to 'build suspense.' But that’s the opposite of what Google and AI expect. From the very first lines, your content should address the main question, display key information, or prompt action.

Take inspiration from the inverted pyramid model used in journalism: start with the core facts, then gradually dive into details. This reduces bounce rate, boosts user retention, and sends strong relevance signals to Google.

Use natural, clear, conversational language

AI engines process natural language. So, avoid overly complex sentences, convoluted phrasing, or overly technical jargon (unless your audience is highly specialized).

Favor:

• Short sentences
• A direct tone
• Question-answer style phrasing.
  

Ask and answer questions like:

• What is it?
• Why does it matter?
• How is this product better than the competition?
  

That’s exactly what AI search engines look for when generating responses to user queries.

Structure and enrich your content

One of the key elements to make your pages 'AI-compatible' is structure. Well-tagged content (H1, H2, H3…), with bullet points, tables, and quotes, is much easier for AI to interpret.

Here are a few best practices:

• Add a table of contents at the top of your long-form content
• Use explicit headings: a H2 like “Why is this product more efficient than X?” speaks to both Google and ChatGPT
• Include visual elements: images, infographics, videos, screenshots, diagrams
• Cite your sources: link to recognized experts or official publications (LinkedIn, studies, reputable blogs).

Rely on concrete, up-to-date data

Purely theoretical or generic content no longer has its place in 2025. Both AI systems and users expect proof: numbers, feedback, recent case studies.

Always include:

• Sourced statistics
• Industry benchmarks
• Tangible results from your own data (if available)
  

A page titled “+40% SEO traffic in 3 months using this method” is much more likely to be cited or displayed by an AI than “Our SEO tips.”

Think Mobile-First and focus on accessibility

Most web traffic comes from mobile. Good content is content that is readable and interactive on smartphones, fast to load, and offers a smooth user experience. Google factors these into its relevance scoring—and so do AI engines.

Make sure that:

• Your pages load in under 2 seconds
• Elements are well-sized for mobile screens
• Videos are playable with autoplay off
• Text/background contrast is sufficient for readability.

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Become an AI-ready authority

Optimizing your content for AI in 2025 is much more than classic SEO. It’s a comprehensive editorial strategy focused on user needs, clarity, and added value. By combining the right formats, flawless structure, and smooth writing, you maximize your visibility on Google and AI search engines.

Don’t wait—take action now: identify high-potential pages, reshape your key content using these principles, and start capturing qualified, intelligent, and sustainable traffic.

Want to go further? Check out our article on creating AI-friendly SEO content.