What is query fan-out?
Definition
Query fan-out is a technique in which an AI search system breaks one question into many related searches, runs them in the background and combines the results into a single answer.
Why it matters
With fan-out, your page can be cited for questions the user never typed. Covering a topic's related questions makes it more likely to be picked.
How to do it
- The user asks one question in an AI search tool.
- The system generates related sub-questions and searches for each.
- It combines what it finds into one answer with links.
Example
Someone asks Google AI Mode how to plan social media for a café. The system also searches best posting times, content ideas and Instagram formats.
FAQ
Where does Google use query fan-out?
Google uses it in AI Mode and Deep Search, and in some AI Overviews.