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Outrank Everyone In AI Search With This Content Framework

How to stop creating content that gets ignored.

Traditional top-funnel content is dead. What you were doing last year will not work moving forward.

But here's what is working. Let me break it down.

The Problem: Your Content Is Invisible to AI

AI search engines are changing how people discover information. The old playbook, aka “10 Tips for Marketing,” “Ultimate Guides,” and keyword-stuffed posts, doesn’t cut it anymore.

AI doesn’t scroll.

It answers.

And it does that by pulling from specific, high-quality content that directly solves user questions.

People don’t ask AI tools for generic tips. They ask:

• “How do I set up SaaS trial conversion tracking in GA4?”

• “What’s a good onboarding email cadence for new B2B customers?”

If your content doesn’t answer questions like these, it’s invisible.

Here’s what’s working instead.

The SAFE Framework

This 4-part framework consistently gets content cited by AI engines. It stands for:

• Straightforward

• Authentic

• Functional

• Executable

It’s not fluff. It’s content that solves real problems and earns trust from both AI engines and high-intent users.

1. Straightforward

Get to the point. Fast.

AI prioritizes content that leads with the answer, not the background. The goal is to deliver utility in the first sentence.

Instead of this:

Try this:

Make your content straightforward by:

• Leading with the answer

• Using plain language

• Avoiding unnecessary context or jargon

• Using clear, direct headings

2. Authentic

AI tools assess trust. They look for credible sources, first-person expertise, and real-world examples.

Most content fails here. It makes broad claims without evidence. That’s a red flag for AI.

Make your content authentic by:

• Citing studies from credible sources

• Providing specific, verifiable data

• Sharing actual client results or case studies

• Being transparent about what doesn’t work

• Using first-person experience where possible

3. Functional

Your content should be usable right away. AI prefers practical guidance over academic theory.

To make content functional:

• Offer step-by-step guides

• Provide downloadable templates or checklists

• Recommend specific tools (not just categories)

• Include real examples with screenshots or workflows

• Add troubleshooting tips or alternate approaches

4. Executable

The best content ends with a clear “what to do next.” Not vague advice—concrete steps.

To make your content executable:

• End each section with a specific action item

• Add timelines: “Do this by Friday”

• Suggest measurable goals

• Include an implementation roadmap

• Address edge cases: “If you have less than 100 site visitors, start here…”

Putting SAFE to Work

Want to make your next piece of content AI-visible?

Here’s the checklist:

1. Start with real questions your customers are asking. Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Reddit, or live sales calls to find them.

2. Answer one question per piece. Don’t combine topics or write around a general theme.

3. Apply the SAFE framework. Ask yourself: Is it direct? Credible? Practical? Actionable?

4. Update your old content. Take your best-performing pieces and retrofit them with SAFE elements.

5. Go mid and bottom-funnel. Focus on solution-oriented, implementation-driven topics—not awareness-level fluff.

How to Measure Results

Here’s how to evaluate your AI visibility:

Within 30 days:

• Monitor citations using Google Alerts and brand monitoring tools

• Track traffic to SAFE-optimized content

At 60 days:

• Look for improved lead quality and conversion rates

At 90 days:

• Double down on formats and topics that are consistently performing

Recommended tools:

• Google Alerts

• Brandwatch or Mention

• ChatGPT or Perplexity (try your own queries!)

• On-page engagement metrics (bounce rate, scroll depth, time on page)

• Open Forge AI

What to Do Next

If you want to turn SAFE into your competitive advantage, here’s your immediate playbook:

1. Pick one existing piece of content and audit it against all four SAFE elements.

2. Update it with more specificity, steps, tools, and next actions.

3. Create one net-new article using SAFE from the start.

4. Track its performance compared to your legacy content.

Done right, SAFE content doesn’t just attract attention—it earns trust, drives conversions, and shows up where it counts: in AI search results.

While others are still guessing what works, you’ll be building a long-term moat that gets stronger with every answer.

Answer Engine Optimization Strategies and Tips

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