The AEO Content Writer uses 11 article formats, each matched to a specific keyword intent and AI citation pattern. Choosing the right format is the single most impactful structural decision you make before generating an article. This guide defines all 11 types, explains when each fits, and shows the keyword signals that indicate which format to use.
Summary
- There are 11 article types in the AEO Content Writer, each targeting a distinct search intent category.
- The correct format is determined by the keyword itself — specific words and phrases signal which structure will produce the most citable output.
- Credit costs range from 5 credits (shorter, focused formats) to 12 credits (longer, research-intensive formats).
- When the right format is unclear, the Decide for me option instructs the AI to analyze the keyword and select the highest-citation-potential format automatically.
How to Use This Guide
The 11 types are grouped by their primary function: definitional, instructional, data-driven, evaluative, and problem-solving. Each entry follows this structure:
- Definition — what the format is and what it produces
- When to use — the keyword signals that indicate this format
- Why AI engines prefer it — the structural reason this format gets cited
- Example keywords — real queries this format targets
- Credit cost — how many credits this format consumes in the Content Writer
At a Glance: All 11 AEO Article Types
| Type | Format Name | Keyword Signals | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | What Is | "what is", "what are", "define" | 5 |
| 02 | How To | "how to", "steps to", "guide to" | 8 |
| 03 | Best X for Y | "best", "top", "for [audience]" | 12 |
| 04 | Statistics | "statistics", "stats", "data", "numbers" | 8 |
| 05 | Troubleshooting | "fix", "not working", "error", "problem" | 5 |
| 06 | Timeline | "history of", "timeline", "evolution of" | 8 |
| 07 | Glossary | "glossary", "terms", "definitions", "A-Z" | 12 |
| 08 | Formula | "formula", "calculate", "equation" | 5 |
| 09 | Pros & Cons | "pros and cons", "advantages", "drawbacks" | 5 |
| 10 | Is It Worth It | "worth it", "should I", "is X good" | 5 |
| 11 | Comparison | "vs", "versus", "compared to" | 12 |
Definitional Formats
These formats answer the question "what is this?" They are the most commonly cited article types by AI engines because definition queries are among the highest-frequency searches.
What Is (Type 01)
Definition: A structured definition article that explains a concept, covers how it works, and provides real-world examples. Target length is approximately 2,000 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword starts with "what is," "what are," or "define." Also appropriate when the keyword names a concept, tool, method, or practice without specifying a task.
Why AI engines prefer it: Definitional content is extracted verbatim for zero-click answers and AI-generated summaries. A well-structured What Is article gives an AI engine a complete answer to a definition query without requiring the user to click through. (Goodwin, Search Engine Land, 2024)
Example keywords:
- "What is answer engine optimization"
- "What is JSON-LD"
- "What is bounce rate"
Credit cost: 5 credits
Related types: Glossary (Type 07), How To (Type 02)
Glossary (Type 07)
Definition: A reference article that defines multiple related terms within a single piece, organized alphabetically or by category. Target length is approximately 3,000 words. This format functions as a citation multiplier — one glossary can generate citations across dozens of distinct definitional queries.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword includes "glossary," "terms," "definitions," or "A-Z." Also appropriate when the topic has significant specialist vocabulary that your target audience needs explained in one place.
Why AI engines prefer it: Each defined term in a glossary is a separate citation surface. AI engines extract individual entries to answer specific definitional queries, so a 20-term glossary can produce 20 citable answers from a single article. (Markup.io AEO Report, 2025 [source needed])
Example keywords:
- "AEO glossary"
- "Schema markup terms explained"
- "Content marketing definitions A-Z"
Credit cost: 12 credits
Related types: What Is (Type 01), Statistics (Type 04)
Instructional Formats
These formats answer "how do I do this?" They map to procedural queries and are especially strong for HowTo schema, which directly boosts eligibility for Google rich results.
How To (Type 02)
Definition: A step-by-step instructional article that guides the reader through a specific task from start to finish. Target length is approximately 2,500 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword starts with "how to," "steps to," or "guide to." Also appropriate for any keyword that implies a process the reader needs to complete.
Why AI engines prefer it: Numbered steps map directly to HowTo structured data, which Google uses for How-to rich results in both standard search and AI Overviews. Each step is individually extractable, making this one of the most reliably cited formats. (Google Search Central, HowTo structured data documentation, 2024)
Example keywords:
- "How to write a meta description"
- "How to add schema markup to WordPress"
- "Steps to optimize content for AI search"
Credit cost: 8 credits
Related types: Formula (Type 08), Troubleshooting (Type 05)
Formula (Type 08)
Definition: An article that explains a specific calculation, equation, or measurement method, with worked examples showing the formula applied to real data. Target length is approximately 1,500 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "formula," "calculate," "equation," or "how to measure." This is the most precise format in the set — only use it when the topic has a literal formula or defined calculation method.
Why AI engines prefer it: AI engines are frequently queried for calculation help. Articles with named formulas and worked examples are cited directly in AI-generated answers because the formula is an extractable, verifiable fact. (BrightEdge Research, 2024 [source needed])
Example keywords:
- "How to calculate click-through rate"
- "Domain authority formula explained"
- "Content score equation"
Credit cost: 5 credits
Related types: How To (Type 02), Statistics (Type 04)
Data and Research Formats
These formats answer "what does the data say?" They are strong performers for queries where the user wants evidence, not just explanation.
Statistics (Type 04)
Definition: A data round-up article that aggregates sourced statistics and data points on a single topic, with analysis of trends and key findings. Target length is approximately 2,000 words. This format requires verified citations for every data point.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "statistics," "stats," "data," "numbers," or "facts." The strongest signal is a keyword like "[topic] statistics [year]."
Why AI engines prefer it: Statistics articles become primary source documents for AI research queries. When an AI engine is asked "what percentage of X does Y," it pulls from statistics round-ups rather than deriving the answer. A well-cited statistics article becomes a reference document that AI engines return to repeatedly. (Semrush State of Content Marketing Report, 2024)
Example keywords:
- "AEO statistics 2026"
- "Voice search adoption data"
- "Content marketing ROI statistics"
Credit cost: 8 credits
Related types: Formula (Type 08), Timeline (Type 06)
Timeline (Type 06)
Definition: A chronological article that covers the history and evolution of a topic, organized by year or era. Target length is approximately 2,200 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "history of," "timeline," "evolution of," or "year by year." Also appropriate for topics where understanding the current state requires knowing how things developed.
Why AI engines prefer it: Chronological structure gives AI engines clear temporal anchors for historical queries. Each dated entry is extractable as a standalone fact. AI Overviews frequently pull from timeline articles when answering "when did X start" or "how has Y changed over time" questions.
Example keywords:
- "History of search engines"
- "Evolution of SEO 2000-2026"
- "Timeline of AI in marketing"
Credit cost: 8 credits
Related types: Statistics (Type 04), What Is (Type 01)
Evaluative Formats
These formats answer "should I?" and "which is better?" They target decision-stage queries where the user is choosing between options or weighing the value of something.
Pros & Cons (Type 09)
Definition: A balanced analysis article presenting the advantages and disadvantages of a specific tool, approach, or decision. Target length is approximately 1,800 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "pros and cons," "advantages and disadvantages," or "benefits and drawbacks." The keyword typically names a single subject whose merits are being weighed.
Why AI engines prefer it: AI engines frequently handle decision-assistance queries. A balanced pros-and-cons structure gives the AI a complete answer for either side of a decision, making it more citable than one-sided content. The format also maps cleanly to structured data.
Example keywords:
- "Pros and cons of AEO"
- "Advantages of structured data"
- "Benefits and drawbacks of AI-generated content"
Credit cost: 5 credits
Related types: Is It Worth It (Type 10), Comparison (Type 11)
Is It Worth It (Type 10)
Definition: A verdict-first evaluation article that answers whether a specific investment, tool, or practice delivers value. Opens with the conclusion, then supports it with evidence. Target length is approximately 1,800 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "worth it," "should I," "is X good," or "is X worth [time/money/effort]."
Why AI engines prefer it: Verdict-first structure matches how AI engines answer evaluation queries. The answer is in the first paragraph, making extraction immediate. AI engines prioritize sources that provide a direct answer before explaining the reasoning. (Search Engine Journal, AI Overviews citation patterns, 2025 [source needed])
Example keywords:
- "Is Semrush worth it"
- "Should I add schema markup to my blog"
- "Is AEO worth the effort for small businesses"
Credit cost: 5 credits
Related types: Pros & Cons (Type 09), Comparison (Type 11)
Comparison (Type 11)
Definition: A side-by-side analysis article comparing two or more options across defined criteria, typically using tables for clarity. Target length is approximately 3,000 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "vs," "versus," "compared to," or names two or more alternatives being evaluated against each other.
Why AI engines prefer it: Comparison tables are one of the most-extracted structures in AI-generated answers. When a user asks an AI to compare two tools, the AI pulls from comparison articles because the structured tabular format is immediately parseable. (Ahrefs Content Marketing Study, 2024 [source needed])
Example keywords:
- "AEO vs SEO"
- "JSON-LD vs microdata"
- "Semrush vs Ahrefs for content marketing"
Credit cost: 12 credits
Related types: Best X for Y (Type 03), Pros & Cons (Type 09)
Best X for Y (Type 03)
Definition: A ranked recommendation article listing the best tools, resources, or options for a specific audience or use case, with analysis of each pick. Target length is approximately 3,000 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "best," "top," "recommended," or pairs a category with an audience ("for bloggers," "for small businesses," "for beginners").
Why AI engines prefer it: Recommendation lists are cited heavily in AI responses to product or tool queries. The ranked structure allows AI engines to extract the top recommendation instantly, while the full list provides depth for follow-up questions.
Example keywords:
- "Best SEO tools for bloggers"
- "Top AEO plugins for WordPress"
- "Best content writing tools for agencies"
Credit cost: 12 credits
Related types: Comparison (Type 11), Is It Worth It (Type 10)
Problem-Solving Formats
These formats answer "why isn't this working and how do I fix it?" They target high-intent users facing a specific problem.
Troubleshooting (Type 05)
Definition: A diagnostic and resolution article that identifies the causes of a specific problem and walks through fixes for each. Target length is approximately 1,800 words.
When to use: Use this format when the keyword contains "fix," "not working," "error," "problem," "issue," "why doesn't," or "troubleshoot."
Why AI engines prefer it: Troubleshooting articles satisfy high-intent, problem-specific queries. The diagnosis-then-fix structure maps directly to how AI engines answer error and "why isn't X working" questions. Each cause-and-fix pair is individually extractable. (Google Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines, 2024)
Example keywords:
- "Schema markup not showing in Google Search Console"
- "JSON-LD validation error fix"
- "Why is my structured data not working"
Credit cost: 5 credits
Related types: How To (Type 02), Formula (Type 08)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important AEO article types to prioritize first?
Start with What Is (Type 01) and How To (Type 02) — these cover the two highest-frequency query patterns (definitional and procedural). Once your core topic vocabulary is covered, add Comparison (Type 11) and Statistics (Type 04) to capture decision-stage and research-stage queries.
What is the difference between a Pros & Cons article and a Comparison article?
A Pros & Cons article (Type 09) evaluates a single subject — its advantages versus its disadvantages. A Comparison article (Type 11) evaluates two or more subjects against each other. Use Pros & Cons when your keyword names one thing being weighed; use Comparison when your keyword names two things being measured against each other.
What is the difference between a Formula article and a How To article?
A Formula article (Type 08) covers a specific calculation or equation with worked numerical examples. A How To article (Type 02) covers a process or task with sequential steps. Use Formula when the answer is a number the reader needs to calculate; use How To when the answer is a task the reader needs to complete.
How does "Decide for me" work?
The Decide for me option instructs the AI to analyze your keyword and select the most appropriate format based on intent signals. It applies the same keyword-matching rules described above and generates the article using the matching playbook. It costs 12 credits (the maximum tier) because the AI may select any format, including the longer ones.
Sources
- Google Search Central. "HowTo structured data." developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/how-to. 2024.
- Google Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. "Page Quality Rating." 2024.
- Goodwin, Danny. "How AI Overviews cite content." Search Engine Land. 2024.
- Semrush. "State of Content Marketing Report." semrush.com. 2024.
AEO QUALITY NOTE
Answer-first: Yes — the first paragraph and summary block deliver a complete answer within 150 words.
Citation confidence: Medium — product-specific claims (credit costs, format behavior) are documented. External claims about AI citation patterns include [source needed] flags where primary research was unavailable.
Schema recommendation: DefinedTermSet + DefinedTerm for each of the 11 entries; FAQPage for the FAQ section. Speakable schema recommended for the Summary block and the At a Glance table description.