How to rewrite a page for AI citation

In one line

To rewrite a page for AI citation, work claim by claim: add a statistic with a source and year, quote a named expert, cite the original source, tighten the prose, and swap hedged wording for plain statements.

Start with one paragraph

Pick a paragraph on a page that already ranks but AI never quotes. You will run it through five passes. Each pass targets a tactic the Princeton GEO study found lifts citations, and you keep the changes that make the claim more specific and verifiable.

The five passes

1) Numbers: replace a vague claim with a figure plus its source and year. 2) Quote: add one real, attributed expert line. 3) Cite: link the original study, not a blog about it. 4) Fluency: read it aloud and fix anything that trips you. 5) Voice: cut 'may', 'could' and 'arguably' where your evidence is solid. Before: 'Our tool helps teams move faster.' After: 'Our tool cut onboarding 40% for the average team (2025 customer audit).'

Repeat on your top pages

Do this drill on your highest-value ranking pages first, since they are already in the pool AI draws from. You are not chasing a higher Google rank; you are making a decent-ranking page the most quotable one on its topic.

Frequently asked

How long should each rewrite take?

About 15 minutes per paragraph once you know the five passes. Batch a page's key sections in a sitting, and you can rework a whole article in under an hour.

Do I need new data to add statistics?

Often you already have it: results from your own customers, a small survey, or a benchmark. Original numbers work best because no other source has them, so AI must cite you.

Will this hurt my Google ranking?

No. Clearer, better-sourced content tends to help ranking too. You keep the position and gain the citation.

Put this into practice

Grade your site against our 250-point AEO/GEO checklist and see exactly what to fix, free, no signup.

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