How AI search chooses its sources

Every dot is a web page. Scroll, and watch what happens to them.

Scroll

GO DEEPER

Two field guides

Optimization Theory infographics that pair with this story.

AI Query Fan-Out: How Rankings Become Answers

How one prompt becomes many searches, and what that means for coverage.

Read the deep dive →

2026 SEO + AEO + GEO Quick Reference

A practical framework for visibility across search and AI.

Read the guide →

About the author

Jourdan

Jourdan runs Optimization Theory, an SEO and web development consultancy, and has spent more than 15 years in technical SEO. He publishes research and infographics on how search engines and AI answer engines choose their sources.

optimizationtheory.com →infographi.ac →