What is query fan-out and how do I win it?
Query fan-out is when an AI feature runs several related searches for one question, then builds its answer from the pages it finds. Google describes this for AI Overviews and AI Mode. To win it, answer the headline question and the sub-questions around it, so your pages are useful for more of the searches the engine runs.
Free to read, no signup. Nova maps the sub-questions for your high-value prompts.
What Google says about fan-out
Straight from Google's documentation. Other engines have not published an equivalent description.
One question, several searches
Google says AI Overviews and AI Mode may run multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources while building a response. This can surface a wider and more varied set of supporting links.
AI features and your websiteNo special tricks needed
Google says there are no extra technical requirements: pages must be indexed and eligible for a snippet. It points to standard SEO, such as crawlable pages, internal links and key content in text.
AI features and your websiteCover the topic thoroughly
Google's helpful-content guidance asks whether a page covers its topic thoroughly and leaves readers able to reach their goal without searching again.
Creating helpful, reliable, people-first contentFive steps to map and win the fan-out
Do it by hand with these steps, or hand the whole thing to Nova.
Pick a prompt worth winning
Choose one buyer question where you should appear but don't. Fan-out is easiest to see on one prompt at a time.
Nova: suggests prompts where your answer share is low.
List the sub-questions behind it
Write what a researcher would also check: price, who it is for, alternatives, integrations, risks, how it works. Add "what about" follow-ups.
Nova: infers the likely sub-queries and the facts engines look for.
See which ones your pages answer
For each sub-question, find the page on your site that answers it in plain text. Mark gaps and weak answers.
Nova: checks your site against each sub-question and marks the gaps.
Fill the gaps
Add a section or page for each gap, answered directly. Link related pages together so each is easy to find.
Nova: drafts the missing sections for your approval.
Re-run the prompt
Ask the same prompt in 30 days and note whether you appear, where, and with which cited pages.
Nova: re-checks at 30 days and reports the change.
Short on time? Nova, your AI brand visibility expert, runs this Maneuver on your brand and tracks the result.
Take it to NovaEvery sub-question, your answer and the gap
| Prompt | Sub-question | Your page answers it? | Gap | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best [category] for small teams | What does it cost? | Yes, on pricing page | None | No change |
| Best [category] for small teams | Does it integrate with [tool]? | Partly | No integrations page | Add integrations page |
| Best [category] for small teams | How does it compare with [competitor]? | No | No comparison | Write a comparison page |
Nova then re-asks the prompt at 30 days, so you see whether the new pages changed where you appear.
Take this Maneuver into your own AI agent
Get fan-out-map.md, a ready-to-use skill file with a sub-question template, a gap table and a re-check routine. Drop it into Claude, Cursor or any agent that reads SKILL.md files.
Skill file for Claude, Cursor and other agents
- A sub-question template by buyer intent
- A gap table for your pages
- A 30-day re-check routine
Questions, answered.
Relevant reads
All articlesLet Nova map the fan-out for your prompts
Nova opens with this Maneuver loaded. You approve every page before it ships.