The Complete Prompt System
Publish articles that get
cited by AI — from day one
5 stages. 19 prompts. One repeatable system. Works in Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. Run them in order once, then adapt to your pace.
5
Stages in the workflow
19
Prompts total
~75
Minutes per article
3
AI tools supported
01
The 5 Stages at a Glance
Each stage feeds into the next. Skip none on your first pass. Total time is approximately 75 minutes of AI-assisted optimization per article.
Stage 1 · ~15 min
3
Topic & Citation Opportunity Mapping
Stage 2 · ~15 min
3
Direct Answer Engineering
Stage 3 · ~20 min
3
Article Structure for Extractability
Stage 4 · ~15 min
4
Schema, Signals & Meta
Stage 5 · ~10 min
6
Citation Readiness Check
Not sure what makes an article AI-citation-ready?
The 20-Element AI Visibility Framework covers the full criteria behind this workflow. It's the research that these prompts are built on.
02
Your Progress Checklist
Check off each prompt as you complete it. Progress is tracked in the sidebar and here.
Prompts done: 0 / 19
Stage 1 — Topic & Citation Opportunity Mapping
Prompt 1 · AI Citation Opportunity Finder
Find topics AI tools are actively citing sources for in your niche
Prompt 2 · Citation Gap Analyzer
Identify what competitors get cited for that you don't
Prompt 3 · Entity & Authority Angle Definer
Define your ownable authority position on this topic
Stage 2 — Direct Answer Engineering
Prompt 4 · Extraction Window Generator
Write 3 citation-ready opening variants (90–110 words each)
Prompt 5 · FAQ Answer Block Generator
Create 5–8 self-contained, citable FAQ entries
Prompt 6 · Content Brief Builder
Build a citation-optimized brief ready to hand to a writer
Stage 3 — Article Structure for Extractability
Prompt 7 · Extraction-Optimized Article Outline
Structure every section as a self-contained citable answer block
Prompt 8 · Topical Authority Cluster Mapper
Map 8–12 supporting articles around your pillar topic
Prompt 9 · Persona-to-Entity Alignment
Translate audience persona into entity signals AI tools trust
Stage 4 — Schema, Signals & Meta
Prompt 10 · Full Schema Markup Generator
Copy-paste JSON-LD for Article, FAQ, Author, and HowTo
Prompt 11 · Secondary Extraction Window Optimizer
Title tag + meta description as AI citation signals
Prompt 12 · Internal Linking Authority Architect
Design entity-aligned link structure across the cluster
Prompt 13 · Robots & Crawl Signal Optimizer
Ensure GPTBot, ClaudeBot, and PerplexityBot can access your content
Stage 5 — Citation Readiness Check
Prompt 14 · AI Citability Scorer
Score article across 4 criteria, receive prioritized fix list
Prompt 15 · Perplexity Simulation Test
Simulate AI response + citation probability rating
Prompt 16 · Content Decay & Refresh Prioritizer
Identify which existing articles are losing citation potential
Prompt 17 · SEO Performance to Citation Gap Bridge
Convert your existing traffic authority into AI citations
Prompt 18 · AI Search Trend Spotter
Find emerging citation opportunities before competitors arrive
Prompt 19 · Outreach Email for Citation Link Building
Earn links from sites AI tools already trust and cite
All 19 prompts complete — your article is citation-ready.
You've run the full workflow. Publish with confidence and monitor your AI citations.
03
Stage 1 — Topic & Citation Opportunity Mapping
Stage 1 of 5
Topic & Citation Opportunity Mapping
The Job: Identify topics that AI tools are actively pulling answers for — before you invest time writing. This stage prevents wasted effort on topics with no citation potential.
01
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AI Citation Opportunity Finder
Identify which topics in your niche AI tools are currently citing sources for
Role
Act as an AI search analyst who studies how ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude select and cite sources. You understand the difference between topics that appear in AI answers and topics that AI tools actually cite external sources for.
Goal
Analyze the niche [INSERT NICHE] and identify the top 10 topics that AI tools are most likely to actively cite sources for right now. Prioritize topics where AI tools need a credible external source to answer — not topics they can answer from training data alone.
Instructions
- Identify topics where the answer is specific, time-sensitive, or expertise-dependent — these are where AI tools look for citations.
- For each topic, write the exact question a user would type into Perplexity or ChatGPT.
- Rate each topic's citation potential: High / Medium / Low, with a one-line reason.
- Flag the top 3 topics where being the cited source would have the highest business value.
- Present output as a clean table: Topic | User Query | Citation Potential | Business Value
Rules
- Focus on topics where AI genuinely needs an external source — not general knowledge questions.
- Avoid topics dominated by Wikipedia, government sites, or major news outlets.
- Prioritize topics where a niche expert could realistically become the go-to cited source.
- Do not suggest topics based on search volume — this is about citation potential, not Google traffic.
Expected Output: A ranked table of 10 citation-worthy topics with user queries and business value ratings
02
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Citation Gap Analyzer
Find what your competitors get cited for by AI tools — that you aren't
Role
Act as a competitive intelligence analyst specializing in AI search visibility. You identify content gaps between competing sites based on which one is more likely to be cited by AI tools — not which one ranks higher on Google.
Goal
Compare [MY WEBSITE/BRAND] against [COMPETITOR WEBSITE/BRAND] in the niche of [INSERT NICHE]. Identify the specific topics, content formats, and structural elements that make the competitor more citation-worthy — and what I need to close that gap.
Instructions
- Analyze the competitor's likely content strengths: direct answers, schema usage, topic depth, content clusters.
- Identify 5 specific topic areas or question types where the competitor has a citation advantage.
- For each gap, write one sentence describing what I need to create or change to compete for that citation.
- Prioritize the gaps by: effort to close vs. citation value gained.
- Output as a prioritized action table: Gap Topic | Why Competitor Wins | What I Need | Priority
Rules
- Base analysis on structural and content factors — not domain authority or backlink counts.
- Focus on gaps that can be closed with content restructuring or new articles.
- Be specific and actionable — no vague advice like "create better content."
- Identify at least one quick win (can be implemented in under 2 hours).
Expected Output: A prioritized gap table with specific actions to win citations the competitor currently owns
03
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Entity & Authority Angle Definer
Define the specific authoritative angle your brand will own on this topic
Role
Act as a brand positioning strategist who specializes in AI search visibility. You understand that AI tools cite sources that have a clear, consistent, unique point of view on a topic — not sources that try to cover everything for everyone.
Goal
For the topic [INSERT TOPIC] and brand [INSERT BRAND/WEBSITE], define the unique authority angle that will make AI tools prefer to cite this source over competitors. Create the entity positioning framework that will be applied consistently across all content on this topic.
Instructions
- Define the specific expertise claim: what does this brand know about this topic that others don't?
- Write the entity positioning statement: "[Brand] is the source for [audience] who want [specific outcome] without [common frustration]."
- List 5 content signals that should appear consistently across all articles on this topic.
- Write the author bio snippet (40–60 words) that should appear on every article to reinforce entity authority.
- Identify one contrarian or unique perspective this brand can own that competitors haven't claimed.
Rules
- The positioning must be specific enough that it excludes some audiences — if it applies to everyone, it's too vague.
- The 5 content signals must be implementable in every article — not just once.
- The contrarian angle must be defensible with evidence — not just provocative.
- Avoid generic authority claims like "expert" or "leading" — be specific about what makes this source different.
Expected Output: Entity positioning statement, 5 content signals, author bio, and one ownable contrarian angle
04
Stage 2 — Direct Answer Engineering
Stage 2 of 5
Direct Answer Engineering
The Job: Write the 90–110 word extraction window — the exact part of your article that AI tools will lift and cite. This is the highest-leverage single block of text in any article.
91% of cited content follows one rule exactly
A complete, self-contained answer in the first 100 words with zero links. LLMs extract 100-word chunks and the opening block gets the highest relevance score. Don't skip this stage.
04
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Extraction Window Generator
Create 3 variants of the perfect 90–110 word opening paragraph for AI extraction
Role
Act as an AI citation specialist who writes content specifically structured for extraction by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude. You know that the first 90–110 words of an article are the primary extraction window — and that every word in this block must earn its place.
Goal
Write 3 variants of the opening paragraph for an article about [INSERT TOPIC] targeting the user question [INSERT EXACT USER QUESTION]. Each variant must be 90–110 words, self-contained, and answerable in isolation.
Instructions
- Variant 1: Direct definition style — answer the question immediately in sentence 1, explain the mechanism in sentences 2–3, list key steps or criteria in sentences 4–5.
- Variant 2: Problem-solution style — name the core problem in sentence 1, provide the direct answer in sentence 2, explain why it works in sentences 3–4, add one critical nuance in the final sentence.
- Variant 3: Numbered clarity style — answer in sentence 1, then deliver the explanation as a tight 3-point breakdown.
- After all 3 variants, add a one-line note on which variant is most likely to be cited and why.
Rules
- Every variant must answer the exact question in the first sentence — no scene-setting or preamble.
- Each variant must make complete sense without reading the rest of the article.
- Stay within 90–110 words per variant — this is the extraction window, not an introduction.
- Do not start any variant with "In today's world," "In this article," or similar filler phrases.
Expected Output: 3 extraction-ready opening paragraphs (90–110 words each) with a citation likelihood note
05
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FAQ Answer Block Generator
Generate 5–8 FAQ entries in the exact format AI tools prefer to extract and cite
Role
Act as an AI content strategist who specializes in FAQ content optimized for AI citation. You know that FAQ sections are one of the highest-cited content formats by AI tools because each answer is naturally self-contained and directly responsive to a user query.
Goal
For the article topic [INSERT TOPIC], generate a FAQ section of 5–8 questions and answers. Each answer must be structured for AI extraction: self-contained, under 80 words, and directly responsive to the question without requiring any context from the rest of the article.
Instructions
- Generate questions that real users would ask in ChatGPT or Perplexity — conversational, specific, intent-driven.
- Write each answer: Direct answer (sentence 1) → Brief explanation (sentences 2–3) → One practical detail or caveat (final sentence).
- Ensure each answer makes complete sense in isolation — as if it were the only thing someone read.
- After the FAQ block, list 2–3 questions you deliberately excluded and why they're low citation-potential.
- Flag the 2 answers most likely to be cited by AI tools and explain why.
Rules
- No answer should exceed 80 words — this is the AI extraction sweet spot for FAQ content.
- Every answer must begin with a direct response to the question — not a restatement of the question.
- Each answer must be factually accurate and defensible — AI tools cite specific claims, not vague ones.
Expected Output: 5–8 citation-ready FAQ entries with extraction notes on the top 2 most citable answers
06
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Content Brief Builder for AI Citation
Generate a full content brief that sets the writer up to produce a citation-ready article from the first draft
Role
Act as a content strategist who briefs writers to produce articles optimized for AI citation, not just Google ranking. You understand that a brief built for AI visibility looks fundamentally different from a traditional SEO brief.
Goal
Create a complete content brief for an article on [INSERT TOPIC] targeting the primary user question [INSERT QUESTION]. This brief will be handed to a writer to produce a first draft that is AI-citation-ready from the start.
Instructions
- Define the primary extraction question — the exact question the opening 110 words must answer.
- List the 4 AI citation criteria this article must satisfy: direct answer clarity, schema reinforcement, authority clustering, entity consistency.
- Specify the required content structure: H1, H2s, FAQ section, schema types needed.
- List 3–5 specific claims or data points the article must include to be citable (with suggested sources to verify).
- Write the author entity signal: the one-line expertise statement to include in the intro and author bio.
- Specify word count, tone, and the one thing this article must say that competitors haven't.
Rules
- The brief must make AI citation requirements explicit — not assumed.
- Every structural element must have a reason tied to citation optimization, not just readability.
- The brief should be usable by a writer who has never heard of AI SEO — clear enough to execute without explanation.
Expected Output: A complete, citation-optimized content brief ready to hand to a writer or use yourself
05
Stage 3 — Article Structure for Extractability
Stage 3 of 5
Article Structure for Extractability
The Job: Structure the body of your article so AI tools can navigate, extract from, and cite individual sections — not just the opening. Every H2 is a potential citation point.
07
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Extraction-Optimized Article Outline
Build a heading structure where every H2 and H3 is a self-contained answer block
Role
Act as an AI SEO architect who designs article structures for maximum citation surface area. You know that every H2 in an article is a potential extraction point for AI tools — and that vague section labels are invisible to AI citation algorithms.
Goal
Create a full article outline for [INSERT TOPIC] targeting [INSERT PRIMARY QUESTION]. Structure every section so it functions as a self-contained answer block that AI tools can cite independently of the rest of the article.
Instructions
- Write the H1 as a direct answer to the primary question — not a clever headline.
- Create 5–7 H2 sections, each framed as a question or direct answer statement — not a vague topic label.
- For each H2, write: the extraction question it answers, the ideal word count (150–250 words), and one specific claim or data point it must include.
- Identify which 2–3 H2 sections have the highest citation potential and mark them.
- Add placement notes for: FAQ section, schema markup, internal linking anchor text.
- End with a "Key Takeaway" section structured as a 60-word summary AI tools can extract as a closing citation.
Rules
- Every H2 must answer a specific question — not describe a vague topic area.
- No section should require the reader to have read a previous section to understand it.
- The outline must create at least 5 distinct extraction opportunities across the article.
- Do not pad with sections that exist for word count only — every section must add citation value.
Expected Output: A full article outline with 5–7 extraction-optimized sections, citation potential ratings, and placement notes
08
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Topical Authority Cluster Mapper
Map a full content cluster so AI tools recognize you as the authoritative source — not just a single article
Role
Act as a topical authority strategist who builds content ecosystems designed for AI citation dominance. You understand that AI tools don't just cite pages — they cite sources they recognize as authoritative across a topic cluster.
Goal
Build a complete topical authority cluster for [INSERT CORE TOPIC] for a brand in [INSERT NICHE]. The cluster must be structured so that AI tools reading any one article in the cluster recognize the brand as the authoritative source on this topic.
Instructions
- Define the pillar topic and write the pillar article title as a direct answer statement.
- Generate 8–12 supporting article topics, each targeting a specific sub-question within the pillar topic.
- For each supporting article, write: the exact user query it answers, its citation potential (H/M/L), and the internal link anchor text connecting it to the pillar.
- Identify the 3 supporting articles to publish first for fastest authority signal to AI tools.
- Write the entity consistency rule: the one claim that must appear in every article in this cluster.
- Present the cluster as a visual map structure: Pillar → Supporting Articles → FAQ targets.
Rules
- Every supporting article must be genuinely useful as a standalone piece.
- The entity consistency rule must be specific enough to differentiate this brand from competitors.
- Prioritize depth over breadth — 10 well-defined supporting articles beat 20 vague ones.
- The 3 "publish first" articles must be chosen based on citation speed potential, not ease of writing.
Expected Output: A full topical authority cluster map with 8–12 supporting articles, priorities, and entity consistency rules
09
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Persona-to-Entity Alignment Prompt
Translate your audience persona into entity signals that make AI tools trust and cite your content
Role
Act as an AI citation strategist who understands how entity signals affect citation probability. You know that AI tools are more likely to cite content that consistently signals the right expertise for the right audience — and that mismatched entity signals reduce citation probability even when content quality is high.
Goal
For a brand targeting [INSERT AUDIENCE PERSONA] on the topic of [INSERT TOPIC], define the exact entity signals, language register, and authority cues that should appear throughout all content to maximize AI citation probability with this specific audience.
Instructions
- Define the expertise claim in one sentence: what does this brand know that this specific audience needs?
- List 5 language patterns this audience uses when asking questions in ChatGPT or Perplexity — these must appear naturally in your content.
- Identify 3 authority cues to include in every article: specific data types, reference styles, or expert framings this audience trusts.
- Write the entity signal paragraph (50–70 words) that should appear near the top of every article.
- List 3 phrases or framings to actively avoid — signals that would reduce citation credibility with this audience.
Rules
- Language patterns must be derived from how this audience actually searches — not how the brand wants to talk.
- Authority cues must be specific to this audience's trust signals — what works for a developer won't work for a marketing manager.
- The entity signal paragraph must be natural enough to include in real articles without sounding like boilerplate.
- Phrases to avoid must be specific — not generic advice like "avoid jargon."
Expected Output: Entity signal paragraph, 5 audience language patterns, 3 authority cues, and 3 phrases to avoid
06
Stage 4 — Schema, Signals & Meta
Stage 4 of 5
Schema, Signals & Meta
The Job: Reinforce everything your content says with structured data so AI tools have zero ambiguity about what you're an authority on. Schema doesn't just help Google — it gives AI tools structured confirmation of your topic ownership.
10
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Full Schema Markup Generator
Generate complete, copy-paste JSON-LD schema including Article, FAQ, and HowTo types
Role
Act as a technical SEO specialist who creates schema markup optimized for AI citation signals. You understand that schema doesn't just help Google — it gives AI tools structured confirmation of what a page is about and who wrote it.
Goal
Generate complete JSON-LD schema markup for an article with: Title: [INSERT TITLE], URL: [INSERT URL], Author: [INSERT AUTHOR NAME + BIO], Published: [INSERT DATE], FAQ pairs: [INSERT Q&A PAIRS FROM PROMPT 5].
Instructions
- Generate Article schema with full author entity markup — include name, URL, and description of the author.
- Generate FAQ schema for each question/answer pair provided — answers must match the content exactly.
- Add BreadcrumbList schema reflecting the site's content hierarchy.
- Include a speakable schema block identifying the primary extraction window (the opening paragraph).
- Present all schema as a single clean JSON-LD block, ready to paste into the page's <head> section.
- After the code block, list 3 schema elements that most directly influence AI citation probability and why.
Rules
- All schema must be valid JSON-LD — no errors, no missing closing brackets.
- Author entity must include a description that matches the brand's authority angle — not a generic bio.
- FAQ answers in schema must be identical to FAQ answers in the article — consistency is a citation signal.
- Do not include schema types that aren't supported by the content — accuracy over completeness.
Expected Output: A complete, copy-paste JSON-LD schema block with a note on the 3 highest-impact citation elements
11
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Secondary Extraction Window Optimizer
Write the title tag and meta description as secondary extraction windows for AI tools
Role
Act as an AI citation copywriter who optimizes meta elements not just for click-through rate, but for AI extraction signals. You understand that AI tools read title tags and meta descriptions to confirm topic relevance before deciding whether to cite a page.
Goal
Write 3 variants of the title tag and meta description for an article on [INSERT TOPIC] targeting the primary question [INSERT QUESTION]. Each variant must function as a secondary extraction window that confirms topic authority to AI tools.
Instructions
- Variant 1: Direct answer title ("How to X: [Specific Method or Number]") + meta that opens with the core answer in 15 words.
- Variant 2: Authority signal title ("[Brand]'s Guide to X: [Specific Outcome]") + meta that leads with the entity positioning statement.
- Variant 3: Question-format title that mirrors the exact user query + meta structured as a 2-sentence direct answer.
- For each variant, rate: click-through potential (1–10) and AI citation signal strength (1–10).
- Recommend the one variant that best balances both scores and explain why.
Rules
- Title tags must be 50–60 characters — truncated titles lose citation signal value.
- Meta descriptions must open with a direct answer or authority claim — never with a question or vague hook.
- Every variant must include the primary keyword naturally — not forced.
- The recommended variant must have a clear reason — not just "it's more balanced."
Expected Output: 3 title + meta variants with dual scoring and a clear recommendation
12
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Internal Linking Authority Architect
Design an internal linking strategy that reinforces entity authority across the content cluster
Role
Act as an internal linking strategist who designs link structures for AI citation authority, not just PageRank distribution. You understand that consistent internal linking with entity-aligned anchor text creates a web of topical ownership signals that AI tools read as expertise confirmation.
Goal
Design a complete internal linking plan for the article [INSERT ARTICLE TITLE/URL] within the content cluster about [INSERT TOPIC]. The plan must reinforce entity authority signals and create citation loops between high-authority articles in the cluster.
Instructions
- Identify 5–8 existing or planned articles in the cluster that should link to this article.
- For each linking article, write the exact anchor text to use — entity-aligned, not generic ("click here," "read more").
- Identify 4–6 articles this article should link out to, with anchor text.
- Write the "contextual link paragraph" — a 40–60 word passage to add to this article that naturally includes 2–3 internal links.
- Flag any internal linking opportunities that would create a citation loop — where two high-authority articles reinforce each other.
- List 2–3 anchor text patterns to avoid that would dilute entity signals.
Rules
- All anchor text must include entity-relevant terms — not generic CTAs.
- The contextual link paragraph must read naturally — it will be inserted directly into the article.
- Prioritize linking between articles in the same topical cluster over site-wide linking.
Expected Output: A complete internal linking map with exact anchor text, a contextual link paragraph, and patterns to avoid
13
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Robots & Crawl Signal Optimizer
Audit and optimize crawl directives to ensure AI crawlers can access your citation-worthy content
Role
Act as a technical SEO specialist who configures crawl access for both traditional search engines and AI crawlers including GPTBot, ClaudeBot, and PerplexityBot. You know that many sites accidentally block these crawlers through overly broad robots.txt rules.
Goal
Review the following robots.txt configuration [INSERT YOUR ROBOTS.TXT] and provide an optimized version that ensures full access for AI citation crawlers while maintaining appropriate restrictions for non-content pages.
Instructions
- Identify any directives that block or restrict AI crawler access: GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, Applebot-Extended.
- Generate an optimized robots.txt that explicitly allows these crawlers access to all citation-worthy content.
- Identify any crawl budget issues that might deprioritize your best content — thin pages, duplicate content paths, infinite scroll parameters.
- Write the recommended Crawl-Delay setting for AI crawlers to balance access with server load.
- List 3 common robots.txt mistakes that accidentally block AI citation crawlers.
Rules
- Preserve any existing restrictions that serve a legitimate purpose — don't remove blocks on login pages, admin areas, etc.
- Output must be a clean, copy-paste robots.txt block — not just recommendations.
- Flag any conflict between existing rules and AI crawler access — don't silently overwrite.
Expected Output: An optimized robots.txt block + 3 common AI crawler blocking mistakes to check against
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Stage 5 — Citation Readiness Check
Stage 5 of 5
Citation Readiness Check
The Job: Run a final audit before publishing so every AI citation signal is in place and nothing is left to chance. Do not skip this step — it catches the issues that kill citations after publication.
Score 75+ to publish — anything below needs targeted fixes first
The AI Citability Scorer (Prompt 14) evaluates 4 criteria on a 0–25 scale each. A total score below 50 flags the article for a structural rewrite before publishing.
14
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AI Citability Scorer
Score your finished article across 4 core citation criteria and receive a prioritized fix list
Role
Act as an AI citation auditor who evaluates content against the 4 criteria that determine whether AI tools will cite a page. You provide a clear score, a specific fix list, and a publish/revise decision — not vague encouragement.
Goal
Audit the following article for AI citation readiness: [PASTE FULL ARTICLE]. Score it across 4 citation criteria on a scale of 0–25 each (100 total). Provide a prioritized fix list if score is below 75.
Instructions
- Criterion 1 — Direct Answer Clarity (0–25): Does the opening 110 words answer the primary question without requiring context? Is it self-contained and extractable?
- Criterion 2 — Structured Extractability (0–25): Are H2 sections framed as answer blocks? Is the FAQ section present and citation-ready? Is there a key takeaway summary?
- Criterion 3 — Schema Reinforcement (0–25): Is Article schema present? Is FAQ schema implemented? Does the author entity markup match the content's authority claims?
- Criterion 4 — Authority & Entity Signals (0–25): Is entity positioning consistent throughout? Are specific claims and data points present? Is the topical authority cluster signaled?
- Total the score. If below 75: list fixes in priority order. If 75+: confirm publish-ready and identify the single strongest citation element.
Rules
- Be specific in every score — justify each number with a one-line reason.
- Fix recommendations must be actionable in under 30 minutes each.
- The priority order must be based on score impact, not ease — don't recommend easy low-impact fixes first.
- If the article scores below 50, flag it as requiring a structural rewrite before publishing.
Expected Output: A scored audit across 4 criteria with a publish/revise decision and prioritized fix list
15
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Perplexity Simulation Test
Simulate how Perplexity or ChatGPT would respond — and whether your article would be cited
Role
Act as a simulation of Perplexity AI answering a user query. You will generate the answer Perplexity would give, identify what source it would most likely cite, and evaluate whether the provided article would be selected as that source.
Goal
Simulate Perplexity answering the query: [INSERT TARGET QUERY]. Then evaluate whether the following article [PASTE ARTICLE URL OR OPENING 300 WORDS] would be cited in that response — and why or why not.
Instructions
- Generate the answer Perplexity would most likely give to this query based on current best-practice content in this space.
- Identify the type of source Perplexity would prefer to cite: format, authority signals, structural elements.
- Evaluate the provided article against those criteria: what matches, what doesn't.
- Write the one specific change that would most increase the probability of this article being cited.
- Rate the current citation probability: High (likely to be cited), Medium (possible with one fix), Low (needs structural work).
Rules
- The simulated Perplexity answer must reflect how AI tools actually respond — direct, sourced, structured.
- The evaluation must be specific — not generic feedback like "add more detail."
- The single most impactful change must be implementable in under 20 minutes.
- The citation probability rating must come with a one-sentence justification.
Expected Output: A simulated AI response, a citation probability rating, and one specific change to implement before publishing
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Content Decay & Refresh Prioritizer
Identify which existing articles are losing AI citation potential and prioritize them for refresh
Role
Act as a content refresh strategist who identifies articles that have decayed in AI citation value due to outdated statistics, superseded information, or structural issues that have emerged since publication.
Goal
Analyze the following list of existing articles [INSERT ARTICLE TITLES + PUBLISH DATES] and identify which ones have the highest citation decay risk and the highest ROI for a targeted refresh.
Instructions
- Flag articles published more than 12 months ago that cover rapidly evolving topics — AI, tech, regulations, statistics.
- For each flagged article, identify the most likely type of decay: outdated stats, superseded advice, broken internal links, schema never implemented.
- Score each article: Citation Decay Risk (H/M/L) × Refresh ROI (H/M/L).
- Identify the top 3 articles to refresh before publishing new content — these are losing active citations.
- For each top 3, write a one-paragraph refresh brief: what to update, what to add, what to remove.
Rules
- Prioritize articles that were previously getting citations or high traffic — they have the most to lose.
- Refresh ROI must account for how quickly the article can be updated, not just how valuable it is.
- Do not recommend a full rewrite unless the article is fundamentally broken — targeted updates only.
Expected Output: A ranked refresh priority list with decay scores and a one-paragraph brief for the top 3 articles
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SEO Performance to Citation Gap Bridge
Translate existing SEO performance data into specific AI citation opportunities
Role
Act as an AI citation analyst who bridges traditional SEO performance data with AI citation strategy. You identify which pages already have traffic authority that can be converted into AI citations with minimal additional work.
Goal
Analyze the following SEO performance data [INSERT: top 10 pages by traffic, their primary keywords, and current meta descriptions]. Identify which pages are closest to being AI-citation-ready and provide a prioritized action list.
Instructions
- Score each page's current citation readiness on a 3-point scale: Citation Ready / One Fix Away / Needs Structural Work.
- For "One Fix Away" pages, write the exact fix: what to add, change, or restructure.
- For "Citation Ready" pages, write the query they're most likely to be cited for in Perplexity or ChatGPT.
- Identify the single highest-value opportunity: the page with the most existing authority and the least work needed.
- Present output as a prioritized action table: Page | Citation Status | Fix Required | Priority
Rules
- Base citation readiness on structural signals — not traffic volume alone.
- The "exact fix" for One Fix Away pages must be completable in under 1 hour.
- The highest-value opportunity must be justified with specific reasoning — not just "it has high traffic."
- Flag any pages where the existing meta description actively reduces citation probability.
Expected Output: A prioritized citation opportunity table with specific fixes and a single highest-value action to take today
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AI Search Trend Spotter
Identify emerging topics where AI citation competition is still low — before competitors arrive
Role
Act as an AI search trend analyst who identifies early-stage citation opportunities — topics gaining traction in AI search before they become saturated with competing sources.
Goal
For the niche [INSERT NICHE], identify 5–8 emerging topics where AI tools are beginning to answer questions but citation competition is still low. These are the topics to publish on now — before the window closes.
Instructions
- Identify topics that are growing in user queries to AI tools but don't yet have dominant cited sources.
- For each topic, write the exact emerging question AI tools are being asked.
- Rate each topic: Citation Competition (Low/Medium/High) and Time Sensitivity (publish now / within 3 months / within 6 months).
- For the top 3 opportunities, write a one-paragraph content angle that would differentiate this brand from any existing sources.
- Flag one topic in each batch that has the highest risk of becoming saturated in the next 90 days.
Rules
- Topics must be genuinely emerging — not established topics reframed as new.
- Citation competition rating must be based on content saturation, not search volume.
- The differentiating content angle must be specific to the brand's authority position.
- Time sensitivity must reflect real urgency — don't flag everything as "publish now."
Expected Output: 5–8 emerging citation opportunities with competition ratings, time sensitivity, and differentiation angles for the top 3
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Outreach Email for Citation Link Building
Write a personalized outreach email to a site that AI tools already cite — requesting a link that strengthens your own citation authority
Role
Act as a citation-focused link building specialist who writes outreach emails designed to earn mentions from sites that AI tools already trust and cite. You know that a link from a source AI tools cite is worth more than ten links from sources AI tools ignore.
Goal
Write a personalized outreach email to [INSERT SITE/AUTHOR NAME] at [INSERT SITE URL] requesting a link to [INSERT YOUR ARTICLE URL]. Context: [INSERT WHY YOUR ARTICLE COMPLEMENTS THEIRS].
Instructions
- Open with one specific, genuine observation about their content — something only someone who read it would notice.
- Explain why your article adds value to their readers — not why it's good for you.
- Make the ask specific and easy to fulfill: suggest the exact sentence or section where the link would fit.
- Keep the total email under 150 words — respecting their time increases response rate.
- Add a P.S. that offers something in return — a share, a quote, a mention in your next piece.
Rules
- No generic openers like "I came across your site" or "I love your content."
- The value proposition must be about their readers, not your SEO.
- The specific placement suggestion must be based on actual content from their site — not invented.
- The P.S. offer must be genuine and proportionate — don't promise a feature article in exchange for a minor link.
Expected Output: A 150-word personalized outreach email with a specific placement suggestion and a genuine P.S. offer
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The Cheat Sheet — All 19 Prompts at a Glance
Screenshot this. Use it every time you publish. One repeatable system, every article.
| # | Prompt Name | One-Line Purpose | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Topic & Citation Opportunity Mapping (~15 min) | |||
| 01 | AI Citation Opportunity Finder | Find topics AI tools are actively citing sources for | 1 |
| 02 | Citation Gap Analyzer | Find what competitors get cited for that you don't | 1 |
| 03 | Entity & Authority Angle Definer | Define your ownable authority position on this topic | 1 |
| Stage 2 — Direct Answer Engineering (~15 min) | |||
| 04 | Extraction Window Generator | Write 3 citation-ready opening variants (90–110 words) | 2 |
| 05 | FAQ Answer Block Generator | Create 5–8 self-contained, citable FAQ entries | 2 |
| 06 | Content Brief Builder | Build a citation-optimized brief for the full article | 2 |
| Stage 3 — Article Structure for Extractability (~20 min) | |||
| 07 | Extraction-Optimized Article Outline | Structure every section as a citable answer block | 3 |
| 08 | Topical Authority Cluster Mapper | Map 8–12 supporting articles around your pillar | 3 |
| 09 | Persona-to-Entity Alignment | Define entity signals for your specific audience | 3 |
| Stage 4 — Schema, Signals & Meta (~15 min) | |||
| 10 | Full Schema Markup Generator | Copy-paste JSON-LD for Article, FAQ, Author | 4 |
| 11 | Secondary Extraction Window Optimizer | Title tag + meta as AI citation signals | 4 |
| 12 | Internal Linking Authority Architect | Design entity-aligned link structure across the cluster | 4 |
| 13 | Robots & Crawl Signal Optimizer | Ensure AI crawlers can access your content | 4 |
| Stage 5 — Citation Readiness Check (~10 min) | |||
| 14 | AI Citability Scorer | Score article across 4 criteria, get prioritized fixes | 5 |
| 15 | Perplexity Simulation Test | Simulate AI response + citation probability | 5 |
| 16 | Content Decay & Refresh Prioritizer | Identify decaying citation assets before they flatline | 5 |
| 17 | SEO Performance to Citation Gap Bridge | Convert traffic authority to AI citations | 5 |
| 18 | AI Search Trend Spotter | Find emerging topics before competition arrives | 5 |
| 19 | Outreach Email for Citation Link Building | Earn links from AI-trusted sites | 5 |
Your Articles. Cited by AI.
The workflow is complete. The prompts are ready. The only variable left is execution — run Stage 1 on your next article today.
~75minutes per article
19prompts, one system
3AI tools supported
5stages, run in order