Does 'Best X' Blog Post Works for AI Search? See how 35% of low DR Sites 'top x' blog to get Cited by ChatGPT!

Summary

'Best X' listicles make up 43.8% of all pages cited by ChatGPT, and 35% of these come from low-authority websites, creating a huge opportunity for smaller brands to gain visibility in AI search.
This trend signals a shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), where success depends on creating well-structured content that directly answers user questions.
To win, focus on creating frequently updated 'Best X' posts that target low-difficulty keywords and offer significantly more value than the existing competition.
Synscribe's Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) services help B2B SaaS companies create and optimize content to capture high-intent traffic from AI-powered search engines.

You've spent countless hours crafting blog posts that barely convert. You've watched your resources drain away maintaining content that Google ranks but users ignore. And you're thinking: "I'm beyond tired of blogs. No one cares about 5 reasons on how to do something."

I hear you. The traditional blogging playbook is exhausted.

But what if I told you a specific type of blog post is thriving in the AI search era? And better yet, what if even sites with minimal authority could leverage this format to get cited by ChatGPT and other AI platforms?

Welcome to the surprising resurrection of the humble listicle—specifically, the 'Best X' format—and its unexpected dominance in AI search results.

The Shift from SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)

"Six months ago, we entered the era of semantic search," as one marketer aptly noted in a recent Reddit discussion. This evolution has accelerated dramatically with AI search platforms.

We're no longer just optimizing for Google's algorithms. We're now optimizing for ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and other AI systems that prioritize direct answers over traditional content formats. This is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and it plays by different rules.

AI search algorithms are "decision-making formulas used by AI tools to find optimal solutions... by evaluating queries and indexed data," according to Elastic's research on AI search. Unlike traditional search engines, these systems understand context, intent, and can synthesize information across multiple sources.

Different AI engines source their information differently:

ChatGPT: Heavily integrates with Bing's rankings
Perplexity: Relies on well-structured pages and community sources like Reddit
Gemini (Google): Closely tied to Google Search and often cites high-engagement UGC
Claude: Uses a mix of authoritative content and UGC from Reddit and Quora

What unites them all? They prefer content that directly answers questions—and this is where 'Best X' listicles shine.

The Data Doesn't Lie: 'Best X' Lists Dominate AI Citations

In the last 3 months, Ahrefs analyzed over 1 billion data points across 11 studies, and the findings about 'Best X' lists are staggering:

43.8% of all cited pages in ChatGPT responses were 'Best X' blog posts
35% of these cited lists came from low authority domains
79.1% of analyzed blog lists were updated in 2025, with 26% updated in just the last two months
Higher placement on these lists correlates with increased likelihood of citation

Perhaps most importantly for marketers frustrated with "poor converting traffic," ChatGPT sends 8-9x the referral traffic compared to other AI platforms. This isn't just any traffic—it's users actively seeking recommendations and solutions.

The traditional SEO metrics we've obsessed over show surprisingly weak correlations with AI visibility:

Domain Rating has only a weak correlation (0.266-0.326) with AI visibility
Content length has essentially zero correlation (0.04) with AI citations
53% of all AI Overview citations go to pages under 1,000 words

This creates a remarkable opportunity for smaller sites and underdog brands to compete in ways that traditional SEO never allowed.

The Underdog's Guide: How Low DR Sites Can Win with 'Best X' Posts

Phase 1: Finding Rankable Keywords for Low DR Sites

Before creating your 'Best X' content, you need to identify keywords that your low-authority site can realistically compete for.

What exactly is a "low DR site"? According to Portland SEO Growth, these are typically sites with a Domain Rating between 1-30 on Ahrefs.

The key is matching your DR with appropriate Keyword Difficulty (KD) targets:

DR 0-10: Target keywords with KD less than 25
DR 11-20: Target keywords with KD less than 35
DR 21-30: Target keywords with KD less than 45

To find these opportunities:

Use a tool like SEMrush to identify 2-3 direct competitors
Analyze their keyword rankings
Filter for keywords with a KD appropriate for your DR
Check who ranks in the top 10—if you see other low DR sites, you've found your opportunity

Phase 2: Crafting and Optimizing Your 'Best X' Listicle

Now comes the critical part: creating a 'Best X' list that's superior to what's already ranking.

Step 1: Analyze the Competition Before writing, review the top 5 pages for your target keyword. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What's missing?

Step 2: Create Superior Content The goal is to add at least 30% more value than existing content. This directly addresses the pain point many marketers expressed: "If it's information that has been wrote about a billion times before and you add nothing new or nothing helpful to the readers, you likely won't see the reward benefits."

Step 3: Structure for AI Readability AI engines prefer clearly structured content with:

Descriptive headings (H2s, H3s)
Numbered lists with consistent formatting
Bullet points for key features or benefits
Clear criteria for how items were selected and ranked

Step 4: Keep It Fresh Remember the 79.1% recency statistic? AI models heavily favor updated content. Plan to refresh your listicle at least quarterly.

According to Neil Patel's analysis of 10,000 blog posts, the optimal times to publish or update are:

Tuesday: 6 a.m. to noon
Wednesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Phase 3: Balancing Self-Promotion with Genuine Value

If you're creating a 'Best X' list that includes your own product or service, handle this carefully. Ahrefs recommends ensuring your lists "provide value and do not solely focus on self-promotion to avoid negative user signals."

A best practice is to place your own product logically within the list (perhaps at #3 or #4) and be transparent about your affiliation. Remember, the goal is to build trust—a value that both users and AI systems prioritize.

Proof in Practice: Real-World Examples of Low DR Success

These strategies aren't theoretical—they're being used successfully by underdogs across the web:

Cedar Pest Software (DR 2): Ranks 11th for a KD 51 keyword
Keto Fitness Coaching (DR 17): Ranks 1st for a KD 63 keyword
Three Rivers Decking (DR 13): Ranks 4th for a KD 32 keyword

According to Portland SEO Growth's case studies, even sites with minimal domain authority can rank for competitive keywords when they follow this blueprint.

Beyond the List: Other Factors Influencing AI Citations

While 'Best X' lists dominate, Ahrefs' research revealed other fascinating insights about AI search behavior:

YouTube's unexpected influence: YouTube mentions are the strongest predictor of AI visibility (correlation: 0.737)—stronger than Domain Rating, backlinks, or any traditional SEO factor
AI Mode vs. AI Overviews: These reach the same conclusions 86% of the time but cite almost entirely different sources (only 13.7% citation overlap)
Volatility in AI results: AI Overviews have a 70% chance of changing from one observation to the next, with content lasting an average of just 2.15 days
The importance of accuracy: When asked questions without valid answers, AI systems chose fabricated content with specific numbers almost every time (ChatGPT resisted best at 84% accuracy)

Stop Blogging, Start Answering

The frustration many marketers feel—that blogs generate "poor converting traffic and take so much resource to build and maintain"—is valid when we're creating content without clear purpose.

But the rise of AI search and the surprising effectiveness of 'Best X' listicles offers a new path forward. This isn't about creating more "content farm" material; it's about strategically answering user questions in a format AI engines prefer to cite.

The traditional SEO playing field heavily favored established players with high Domain Ratings and massive content budgets. The AI search era offers underdogs a fresh opportunity to compete by creating specific content types that AI systems value—regardless of your site's overall authority.

While Google still sends 345x more traffic than ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity combined, the AI search landscape is evolving rapidly. Getting your 'Best X' lists cited today positions you for the future of search.

So, are you ready to stop blogging and start answering? Your first 'Best X' listicle might be the most valuable piece of content you create this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is the practice of optimizing content to be found and cited by AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking in a list of links, AEO prioritizes providing direct, well-structured answers that AI models can easily synthesize and present to users.

Why are 'Best X' listicles so effective for AI search engines?

'Best X' listicles are highly effective for AI search because their format directly answers user queries seeking recommendations. AI algorithms favor this structure because it is clear, easy to parse, and provides a synthesized list of solutions with defined criteria, which aligns perfectly with how answer engines are designed to function. Research shows that 'Best X' posts account for nearly 44% of all pages cited in ChatGPT responses.

How can a low-authority (low DR) website compete with established sites in AI search?

A low-authority website can compete by focusing on creating high-quality 'Best X' listicles for low-competition keywords. AI search visibility has a surprisingly weak correlation with traditional metrics like Domain Rating (DR). By identifying keywords with a Keyword Difficulty (KD) appropriate for your site's DR and creating content that is demonstrably better and more up-to-date than the competition, you can win AI citations and traffic.

How often should 'Best X' listicles be updated for AEO?

You should plan to update your 'Best X' listicles at least quarterly to maintain their relevance for AI search engines. AI models heavily favor fresh content, with data showing that over 79% of cited blog lists were updated within the last year. Regular updates signal to both AI and users that your information is current and trustworthy.

What is the ideal length for a 'Best X' blog post?

There is no ideal length for a 'Best X' blog post, as content length has virtually zero correlation with being cited by AI. In fact, 53% of all AI Overview citations go to pages under 1,000 words. Instead of focusing on word count, prioritize creating superior, well-structured content that adds at least 30% more value than what is currently ranking.

How should I promote my own product in a 'Best X' list?

To promote your own product, place it logically within the list (e.g., at #3 or #4) rather than placing it at #1, which can appear biased. It's crucial to be transparent about your affiliation with the product. The primary goal is to provide genuine value and build trust with the reader, which is valued by both users and AI systems.

Want to dig deeper into AI search optimization? Check out Ahrefs' comprehensive 'Best' Lists Research for the complete findings and methodology behind these insights.