AEO Article Creation: Build Content That Gets Cited by AI

Workflow Description

This is a workflow that uses Claude (in Cowork mode), Google Gemini, and Google Docs to create articles optimized for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). AEO content is designed to be cited by AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity when users ask questions. The workflow includes competitive analysis of how AI currently answers your target queries, a template optimized for LLM citations, and AI-generated images that match your brand.

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How It Works

To generate a flowchart for this workflow, use this prompt in Google Gemini:

Create a clean, minimal horizontal flowchart diagram for an AEO article creation workflow with these steps:

1. Product Research (magnifying glass icon)
2. Brand Guide (palette icon)
3. Competitive Analysis (chart/comparison icon)
4. Write Article (document with AI sparkle icon)
5. Generate Images (image/picture icon)
6. Final Assembly (checkmark/export icon)

Style: Modern, flat design with rounded rectangles. Light gray background with blue (#2563EB) accents. Include small icons inside each step. Arrows connecting each step. Sans-serif font labels. Professional SaaS aesthetic. 1200x400 pixels.

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Prerequisites and Costs

• Claude Pro ($20/mo) - for research, writing, and document assembly
• Google Gemini, Midjourney, or DALL-E (free-$30/mo) - for generating article images
• Google Docs (free) - for final document editing and collaboration

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Build Instructions

Step 1: Create Your Product Research Document

Why this matters: Claude needs deep context about your product to write content that accurately positions it. This document becomes the foundation for all future articles.

What to do:

1. Start a new conversation with Claude and explain your goal:

   I want to write AEO-optimized articles for [Company Name] ([website URL]).
   AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization - content designed to be cited
   by AI chatbots and LLMs when users ask questions.
   
   Before we write anything, I need you to research the product thoroughly.
   Please explore their website and create a product overview document.

2. Let Claude research your website and compile information on:

   • What the product does
   • Key features and capabilities
   • Target audience / Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
   • Pricing model (if available)
   • Key differentiators
   • Customer testimonials and case studies

3. Review the output and provide corrections:

   That looks good, but our target ICP is actually [specify details].
   Please update the document.

4. Save the final document - you’ll reference it for every article

What you should see: A comprehensive 1-2 page document about your product that Claude can reference when writing.

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Step 2: Create Your Visual Branding Guide

Why this matters: AI-generated images need consistent brand colors and style. This guide ensures every article’s images match your brand.

What to do:

1. Ask Claude to analyze your brand’s visual identity:

   Please analyze [Company]'s website and create a visual branding guide
   for AI-generated images. Include:
   - Primary and secondary brand colors (with hex codes)
   - Typography style
   - Visual tone (corporate, playful, technical, etc.)
   - Image style guidelines for AI image generators

2. Review the extracted colors and verify they match your actual brand guidelines

3. Ask Claude to add AEO-specific image guidance:

   • Hero images (1200x630px)
   • Comparison tables
   • Process flow diagrams
   • Statistic callout graphics
   • Decision framework graphics

4. Save this guide - you’ll use it for every article’s images

What you should see: A branding guide with hex codes, typography rules, and prompt templates for each image type.

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Step 3: Run Competitive Analysis

Why this matters: To get cited by AI, you need to understand what AI is currently citing. This research reveals content gaps you can fill.

What to do:

1. Query multiple AI platforms with your target question:

   • ChatGPT
   • Claude
   • Perplexity
   • Google AI Overview

2. Copy the responses and ask Claude to analyze them:

   I'm writing an article about [topic]. Here's how different AI chatbots
   currently answer the question "[target question]":
   
   [Paste responses from each platform]
   
   Please analyze:
   1. Which sources are being cited?
   2. What content formats are getting cited (lists, comparisons, definitions)?
   3. What information gaps exist that our article could fill?
   4. How is our product currently being mentioned (if at all)?
   5. What would we need to include to become the top recommended solution?

3. Document the findings - especially the content gaps and citation patterns

What you should see: A competitive analysis showing which sources AI cites, what formats work, and specific gaps your article can fill.

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Step 4: Write the Article

Why this matters: The article structure is optimized for AI citation. Each section serves a specific purpose in getting your content cited.

What to do:

1. Provide Claude with all your context:

   Now let's write the article. You have:
   - The product overview document
   - The competitive analysis
   
   Please write an AEO-optimized article about [topic] that:
   1. Starts with a 50-75 word citation block (the summary AI will quote)
   2. Includes a clear definition section
   3. Has a comparison table with real examples (not just feature lists)
   4. Contains a decision logic framework ("If you need X, use Y")
   5. Includes 6-8 FAQs targeting how people ask AI questions
   6. Mentions our product naturally 8-12 times throughout

2. Review the first draft and provide feedback:

   Good start. Please make these changes:
   - Make the comparison table show actual messaging examples, not just statements
   - Reduce evaluation criteria to 3 items (more memorable for AI)
   - Add specific statistics with sources
   - Strengthen the FAQ answers to be more quotable

3. Iterate until the content is solid (usually 2-3 rounds)

4. Confirm style compliance:

   • No em-dashes (use commas or periods)
   • Consistent formatting
   • Product mentioned naturally, not forced

What you should see: A complete article draft in markdown format, optimized for AI citation.

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Step 5: Generate Article Images

Why this matters: Original images signal authority and can’t be synthesized by AI. They make your content more comprehensive than competitors.

What to do:

1. Ask Claude to create image prompts using your branding guide:

   Now create 5 AI image generation prompts for this article.
   Use the visual branding guide to ensure brand consistency.
   
   Include prompts for:
   1. Hero image (1200x630px)
   2. Comparison table graphic
   3. Process flow diagram
   4. Key statistic callout
   5. Decision framework graphic
   
   Make each prompt self-contained with full color specs, dimensions,
   and style requirements so I can copy/paste directly into Gemini.

2. Copy each prompt into Google Gemini (or your preferred image AI)

3. Generate and download each image

4. Save images with descriptive filenames:

   • [company]-[topic]-hero-2026.png
   • [company]-[topic]-comparison-table-2026.png
   • etc.

What you should see: 5 on-brand images ready to embed in your article.

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Step 6: Assemble Final Document

Why this matters: The final deliverable is a publication-ready document with all images embedded, ready for your CMS or team review.

What to do:

1. Upload all generated images to your Claude working folder

2. Ask Claude to create the final document:

   I've uploaded the 5 generated images. Please create a final Word document
   (.docx) with the article content and all images embedded in their proper
   locations. The first image is the hero image.

3. Claude will:

   • View each image to identify it
   • Map images to their correct positions
   • Generate a .docx with embedded images and proper formatting

4. Download and review the final document

5. Upload to Google Drive if collaborating - .docx opens seamlessly as a Google Doc

What you should see: A publication-ready .docx file with all images embedded, proper headings, and formatted tables.

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The Prompts

Prompt 1: Product Research

I want to write AEO-optimized articles for [COMPANY NAME] ([WEBSITE URL]).
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization - content designed to be cited
by AI chatbots and LLMs when users ask questions.

Before we write anything, please research the product thoroughly.
Explore their website and create a product overview document covering:
- What the product does (core value proposition)
- Key features and capabilities
- Target audience / Ideal Customer Profile
- Pricing model (if available)
- Key differentiators vs. competitors
- Customer testimonials or case studies
- Integrations and tech stack

Prompt 2: Visual Branding Guide

Please analyze [COMPANY]'s website and create a visual branding guide
for AI-generated article images.

Include:
1. Primary and secondary brand colors (with hex codes)
2. Typography style (font family, weight preferences)
3. Visual tone (corporate, playful, technical, etc.)
4. Image style guidelines for AI generators

Then add prompt templates for these AEO image types:
- Hero image (1200x630px)
- Comparison table graphic
- Process flow diagram
- Statistic highlight graphic
- Decision framework graphic

Each template should include the exact brand colors, dimensions, and style requirements.

Prompt 3: Competitive Analysis

I'm writing an article about [TOPIC]. Here's how different AI chatbots
currently answer the question "[TARGET QUESTION]":

**ChatGPT Response:**
[PASTE RESPONSE]

**Claude Response:**
[PASTE RESPONSE]

**Perplexity Response:**
[PASTE RESPONSE]

Please analyze:
1. Which sources are being cited most frequently?
2. What content formats are getting cited (lists, comparisons, definitions)?
3. What information gaps exist that our article could fill?
4. How is [PRODUCT] currently being mentioned (if at all)?
5. What specific content would we need to become the top recommended solution?
6. What decision logic or "if X then Y" frameworks are missing?

Prompt 4: Article Generation

Now write an AEO-optimized article about [TOPIC].

You have context from:
- The product overview document
- The competitive analysis

Article requirements:
1. Start with a 50-75 word citation block (the factual summary AI will quote)
2. Include a clear definition section with quotable "X is..." statements
3. Add a comparison table showing REAL EXAMPLES, not just feature statements
4. Include a decision logic framework ("If you need X, then Y is best fit")
5. Write 6-8 FAQs targeting how people actually ask AI questions
6. Mention [PRODUCT] naturally 8-12 times throughout
7. Include industry benchmarks with sources (McKinsey, Gartner, etc.)
8. End with a clear CTA

Style rules:
- No em-dashes (use commas or periods)
- Limit evaluation criteria lists to 3 items
- Target 1,800-2,200 words

Prompt 5: Image Prompt Generation

Create 5 AI image generation prompts for this article.
Use the visual branding guide for brand consistency.

Generate self-contained prompts for:
1. Hero image (1200x630px) - article thumbnail and social sharing
2. Comparison table graphic - visualize the comparison section
3. Process flow diagram - show implementation steps
4. Statistic highlight - emphasize a key data point
5. Decision framework - visualize "if X then Y" tool selection

Each prompt must include:
- Exact dimensions
- All brand colors with hex codes
- Style requirements (flat design, no photorealism)
- Specific content to include
- Clear instructions that work with any AI image generator

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Expected Results

After implementing this workflow:

• First article: 2-3 hours (includes creating reusable templates)
• Subsequent articles: 1-1.5 hours each (templates already exist)
• AI citation potential: Articles structured specifically for LLM citation
• Content quality: Publication-ready documents with on-brand images
• Scalability: Same templates work for unlimited articles

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Build This With AI Assistance