AI doesn't quote your entire blog post. It grabs a sentence or two, maybe a data point, and uses that in its answer. The question is: does your content make that easy or hard?
What extractability means
Content extractability is about how easily AI can find and pull specific pieces of useful information from your content.
When AI tools answer questions, they're often synthesizing information from multiple sources. They scan your page, identify relevant bits, extract them, and weave them into a response. The easier you make that extraction, the more likely they'll use your content.
Think of it like this: AI is a researcher on a deadline. It's going to grab the clearest, most accessible information it can find. If your content buries the good stuff in walls of text, AI might skip to a page where the answer is right there.
What makes content extractable
Clear headings that match questions. If someone asks "how much does X cost?" and you have a heading that says "Pricing" with the answer right beneath it, that's extractable. If pricing info is scattered across three paragraphs with no heading, it's not.
Direct statements early in sections. Start paragraphs with the point, then elaborate. AI often pulls the first sentence of a relevant section. Make that sentence count.
Structured formats. Tables, numbered lists, bullet points. These are much easier to extract than continuous prose. A comparison table is highly extractable. A rambling comparison essay is not.
Self-contained answers. Each section should make sense on its own. If your answer to "what is X?" requires reading four paragraphs of context first, AI might not extract it cleanly.
Specific data. "Our tool saves users 5 hours per week" is extractable. "Our tool can potentially help optimize your workflow efficiency" is not.
What kills extractability
Fluff and filler. Long introductions before you get to the point. AI has to wade through it to find the useful bits.
Clever writing over clear writing. That creative metaphor might be great for human readers, but AI wants direct answers.
Key info buried in context. Putting your main point in paragraph 6 instead of upfront.
Vague language. "Many users find our solution valuable" gives AI nothing to work with.
Important info in images. AI can't extract text from images well. Key data should be in actual text.
A practical check
Take one of your main content pages. Ask yourself: if AI were looking for an answer to [specific question], could it find and extract that answer in one clear sentence or short paragraph?
If yes, good extractability. If no, the AI might skip your page for one that makes it easier.
The tradeoff to consider
Highly extractable content can feel a bit dry to human readers. Lists and direct statements are efficient but not exactly thrilling.
The move isn't to write like a robot. It's to make sure your key information is extractable even if it's wrapped in engaging writing. Have your clear answer, then add the personality around it. That way, both humans and AI get what they need.