Voices of Search // A Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Podcast One word that describes what most marketers still misunderstand about AI optimization
Jan 9, 2026
Josh Blyskal, the founder of Profound and an expert in AI optimization, shares insights on how most marketers misinterpret AI search strategies. He emphasizes the importance of fanout strategies, which 90% overlook, and explains how a shift to fanout-first thinking can catapult marketers to the top tier of AI search practitioners. Blyskal delves into developing content strategies that leverage this approach, along with positioning for authoritative sources in AI citations. His insights promise to transform traditional SEO methodologies.
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Shift To A Prompt-To-Fanout Mental Model
- Start thinking from prompt to fanout when designing AI search strategies to improve citation outcomes.
- Adjust this single mental model and you'll be in the top 1% of AI search practitioners, according to Josh Blyskal.
Fanout As Core Content Authority
- Fanout is the central, authoritative source of truth for AI-driven content generation and citation optimization.
- Reorienting strategy from 'prompt-to-fanout' immediately upgrades a marketer's effectiveness in AI search.
Engineering Context Shapes Results
- Context matters beyond fanout; your engineering context shapes outcomes in AI search.
- But fanout remains the most immediately actionable lever for marketers to change right now.