How should I structure content for AEO?
Direct answer
Structure content for AEO by leading each section with the direct answer in the first one to two sentences, using H2 headings phrased as the exact question users ask, keeping paragraphs short, adding QAPage or FAQPage JSON-LD schema, including a table of contents for long pages, and making each section self-contained for independent extraction.
Key facts
- Each H2 section should work as a standalone answer card that makes sense when extracted in isolation
- Paragraphs should be 2–4 sentences maximum with active voice and simple sentence structures
- Every page needs at minimum Article schema and either QAPage or FAQPage schema in JSON-LD format
- Internal links to related answer pages help build topical authority and improve crawlability
The question-first page model
Answer Engine Optimization rewards pages built as a stack of question-answer pairs. Each section opens with an H2 phrased exactly as a real user query (pull these from People Also Ask, AlsoAsked, or your own search console). Directly under the H2, write a 40 to 60 word answer that resolves the question on its own. The rest of the section adds proof, examples, and nuance for readers who want depth.
Schema and direct-answer blocks
Wrap the page in FAQPage schema so Google, Bing, and Perplexity can parse the Q-A units without guessing. For how-to content use HowTo schema with numbered steps. Keep one question per H2, never bundle two. Direct-answer blocks should sit above the fold of each section, use declarative sentences, and avoid pronouns that depend on context the engine cannot see.
Practical takeaway
Audit your top 20 pages. For each, list the three highest-volume questions it could answer. Rewrite the page as H2-question + 50-word answer + supporting depth, in that order. Add FAQPage schema. Expect AI Overview appearances on roughly one in four reworked pages within 60 days.