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Methodology · AI Search

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Definition

Prompt research is the practice of analyzing the specific prompts and questions users submit to AI tools — used to inform content strategy for AI search optimization. It is the AI search equivalent of keyword research: identifying what queries the target audience submits to AI systems to guide content and entity optimization. Prompt research shifts content strategy from assumed search behavior to observed AI search behavior. By systematically probing AI platforms with queries the target audience is likely to ask — and studying which sources get cited, which queries produce no brand citation, and which prompts trigger competitor citations — brands can identify specific content gaps and optimization opportunities that traditional keyword research misses.

LLM probing

Keyword research

Citation opportunity

Content gap analysis

Topical gap

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