AI & AEO

Multi-Step Reasoning

Quick Definition

Multi-step reasoning is when an LLM works through a problem across several intermediate steps rather than producing a single shot answer, increasing accuracy on complex queries.

In context

Multi-step reasoning models pull more citations, ask better follow-up questions internally, and reward sites with comprehensive, well-organized content. Thin content that answers only the surface query rarely survives multi-step retrieval.

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Related terms

AI Citation Share

AI citation share is the percentage of AI-generated answers (across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot, AI Overviews) for a defined query set that cite your domain among the listed sources.

LLM (Large Language Model)

An LLM is a deep-learning model trained on vast text data, capable of generating human-like language. Examples: GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, Llama.

AI Overviews

AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience or SGE) are AI-generated answers that appear at the top of Google search results for many queries.

Gemini (Google)

Gemini is Google's family of multimodal AI models, used to power Google's AI Overviews, Bard's successor chat surface, and the Gemini app and API.

Claude Search

Claude Search is Anthropic's web-search capability inside Claude, which queries live web sources and synthesizes cited answers similar to ChatGPT search and Perplexity.

AEO Optimization Tactics

AEO optimization tactics include clear structured answers, FAQ schema, comprehensive topical coverage, citation-friendly formatting, and strong entity signals.

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