• Alexander Rydberg Ling

How to Research What AI Engines Are Looking For (and Find Content Gaps)

Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Alexander Rydberg Ling

As Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) becomes more important, many companies ask the same two questions:

  • How do I research what AI engines are looking for?
  • How can I identify content gaps for GEO?

How Do I Research What AI Engines Are Looking For?

Unlike traditional SEO, GEO research isn’t about keywords and rankings. It’s about understanding how AI models choose sources and structure answers. Here’s how to approach it.

AI engines look for content that helps them deliver clear, accurate, and well-structured answers. To research what they prefer, you need to study how they behave in real usage.

1. Ask AI the Same Questions Your Audience Asks

Use tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity and enter real, natural-language questions related to your industry.

Pay attention to:

  • Which sources are cited
  • How answers are structured
  • What concepts appear consistently

This reveals the information patterns AI engines rely on.

2. Analyze How Answers Are Framed

Notice whether AI responses:

  • Begin with definitions
  • Use step-by-step explanations
  • Compare alternatives
  • Summarize key points

These formats are strong signals of what AI engines find most usable.

3. Use GEO Tools for Competitive Analysis

You can also use specialized GEO tools like Agent Mindshare to speed up this research.

Tools like this allow you to:

  • See which websites and brands AI engines currently cite
  • Analyze what content formats LLMs prefer
  • Compare your visibility against competitors
  • Identify gaps in topics, structure, or coverage

Instead of guessing, these tools help you clearly understand what sources and content AI engines already trust.

How Can I Identify Content Gaps for GEO?

In GEO, content gaps are not missing keywords—they’re missing explanations, answers, or context.

1. Compare AI Answers With Your Existing Content

Take common questions in your niche and compare:

  • What AI engines explain
  • What your website currently covers

If AI mentions concepts, steps, or definitions that you don’t address clearly, you’ve found a GEO gap.

2. Review Follow-Up Questions Suggested by AI

Many AI tools suggest follow-up questions. These often point to:

  • Deeper explanations users expect
  • Subtopics you haven’t fully covered

Each follow-up question is an opportunity to expand or create content.

3. Analyze Competitors That Get Cited

If competitors are frequently cited by AI engines:

  • Review how their content is structured
  • Look for clear definitions, FAQs, and lists
  • Identify what they explain better or more directly

The goal isn’t copying—it’s providing more complete and clearer information.

4. Map Topics, Not Just Pages

AI engines favor sites that show topical depth. For each major topic, make sure you cover:

  • Core definitions
  • Use cases
  • Benefits and limitations
  • Comparisons
  • Common mistakes

Missing any of these creates a content gap for GEO.

Final Thoughts

Researching for GEO is about understanding AI behavior, not chasing keywords.

When you:

  • Study AI-generated answers
  • Use tools like Agent Mindshare for competitive insights
  • Identify missing explanations
  • Fill those gaps with clear, structured content

You significantly increase your chances of being used and cited by generative engines.

GEO success comes from becoming the most complete and trusted source on your topic.