What are Query Fanouts?
Query Fanouts are the web search queries that AI models like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini execute when generating responses to user prompts. When a user asks an AI a question, the model often performs real-time web searches to gather up-to-date information before formulating its answer.Query Fanouts give you unprecedented visibility into how AI models research your brand, competitors, and industry topics in real-time.
How Query Fanouts Work
When users ask AI assistants questions like “What’s the best project management tool?” or “Compare Monday.com vs Asana”, the AI doesn’t always rely solely on its training data. Instead, many modern AI models:- Parse the user’s intent - Understanding what information is needed
- Generate search queries - Creating one or more web searches to find current information
- Execute the searches - Querying the web for relevant results
- Synthesize the results - Combining the information into a coherent response
Example Query Fanouts
For a prompt like “What are the best CRM tools for small businesses?”, an AI might generate these query fanouts:| Query | Purpose |
|---|---|
best CRM software small business 2024 | Find current rankings |
HubSpot CRM pricing | Research specific product |
Salesforce small business reviews | Gather user sentiment |
CRM comparison small teams | Find comparison content |
Why Query Fanouts Matter for GEO
Understanding Query Fanouts is crucial for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) because they reveal:1. 🔍 The Exact Searches AI Uses
Unlike traditional SEO where you guess which keywords users might search, Query Fanouts show you the exact queries AI models use to research your topic. This is the ground truth of how AI gathers information.2. 📊 Content Gap Opportunities
If an AI is searching for[your competitor] vs [your brand] comparison but can’t find quality comparison content, that’s a content opportunity you can fill.
3. 🎯 Keyword Intelligence
Query Fanouts reveal the language patterns AI models use when researching topics. These patterns often differ from human search behavior, giving you unique optimization opportunities.4. 📈 Brand Monitoring
See when and how often AI models are actively researching your brand, products, or industry. Spikes in query fanouts for your brand can indicate trending interest.5. 🏆 Competitive Intelligence
Discover which competitors are being researched alongside your brand and understand the competitive landscape from the AI’s perspective.Optimizing for Query Fanouts
Based on Query Fanout data, you can optimize your content strategy:Create Comparison Content
If AIs frequently search for
[Brand A] vs [Brand B], create authoritative comparison pages that answer these queries.Answer Specific Queries
Build content that directly answers the specific questions AIs are searching for about your industry.
Optimize for AI Keywords
Use the exact language patterns from query fanouts in your content to match what AIs are looking for.
Build Topic Authority
Create comprehensive content clusters around topics that trigger frequent query fanouts.
Query Fanouts vs Citations
It’s important to understand the difference between Query Fanouts and Citations:| Aspect | Query Fanouts | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Search queries AI executes | URLs AI references in responses |
| When they occur | Before the response is generated | Within the final response |
| What they show | How AI researches topics | What sources AI trusts |
| Optimization focus | Content discoverability | Source authority |
Accessing Query Fanout Data
You can access Query Fanout data in several ways:In the Dashboard
Navigate to your entity’s Query Fanouts tab to see all the search queries AI models are executing related to your prompts.Via the API
Use the/query-fanouts endpoint to programmatically access Query Fanout data:
Best Practices
Monitor regularly
Monitor regularly
Query Fanout patterns can shift as AI models update. Check your data weekly to identify new trends.
Segment by model
Segment by model
Different AI models (ChatGPT vs Perplexity vs Gemini) may use different search strategies. Analyze them separately.
Track over time
Track over time
Historical Query Fanout data helps you understand seasonal trends and measure the impact of your GEO efforts.
Combine with other metrics
Combine with other metrics
Use Query Fanouts alongside visibility scores and citation data for a complete picture of your AI presence.
Query Fanouts are captured in real-time as our system monitors AI responses to your configured prompts. The more prompts you have active, the more Query Fanout data you’ll collect.