A

Core intent

0/5

Direct answer within the first 100–150 words
Obvious who the page is for
Core topic defined in plain language
“Best / top / recommended”, the main qualifier, is explained in context
Includes a clear summary, recommendation, or conclusion

B

Implicit questions

0/6

Explains cost, pricing, or budget
Explains timeline, setup, onboarding, or delivery time
Explains difficulty, effort, or resources required
Explains risks, limitations, or common mistakes
Explains what happens after someone takes action
Answers “before I choose this, what should I know?”

Example sectionsHow much does it cost?How long does it take?Is it worth it?What are the risks?Who is this not right for?What should I compare?What happens next?

D

Comparative queries

0/6

Compares the main option against relevant alternatives
Includes a comparison table or clearly structured comparison
Explains the pros and cons of each option
Names competitors, substitutes, or alternative approaches
Explains when each option is the better fit
Avoids claiming one option is best for everyone

Example sectionsBotox vs DysportTop alternatives to [brand]Which is right for you?Pros and consPrice comparisonSide-by-side featuresSEO agency vs in-house hire vs AI tool

E

Recency + freshness

0/4

Visible “last updated” date
References the current year where relevant
Rankings, pricing, features, and availability kept current
Explains what changed since the last update

F

Contextual variation

0/5

Explains who the recommendation is best for
Includes use-case sections for different audiences
Explains how the answer changes by budget, size, location, urgency, or goal
Uses “best for” labels where relevant
Avoids a one-size-fits-all answer

Example sectionsBest for ecommerce brandsBest for multi-location clinicsBest for B2B SaaSBest for founder-led teamsBest under $3k a monthBest if you need results this quarterBest for a first-time buyerBest for an in-house marketing team

G

Next steps

0/6

Explains what the reader should do after reading
Includes a clear next step or decision framework
Answers the follow-up questions that come after the main query
Includes FAQs that cover post-decision questions
Links to deeper resources for users who need more
Reduces the need to run another search

Example sectionsHow do I choose?What should I ask before buying?What should I avoid?How do I get started?What do I need before booking?What should I compare next?Best option for my situation?

H

Evidence + trust

0/5

Cites reputable sources where factual claims are made
Includes original experience and examples
Includes case studies, screenshots, data, or quotes
Explains how the recommendations were chosen
Shows author, reviewer, or company expertise

Example sectionsAuthor / reviewerLast updated dateSelection criteriaClear methodologySupporting evidenceSpecific examplesTransparent limitations

The AI Search Checklist

Page components

Unique information

How the copy reads

Writing mechanics

Recency check

Context buckets