Key Takeaways Section: How to Write Summaries That AI Cites
Key Takeaways sections that AI actually cites follow the WHAT-WHY-HOW formula: bold concept, specific data, and actionable insight. This proven format increases AI citation rates by 35-40% by providing pre-packaged, extractable information that aligns with how AI models process and quote content.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ WHAT-WHY-HOW Formula: Structure each point with concept, rationale, and action
- ✓ Bold Lead Phrases: Start with the key concept in bold for AI extraction
- ✓ Specific Numbers: Include statistics, percentages, or quantities for credibility
- ✓ 3-7 Points: Optimal range for comprehensiveness without overwhelming
- ✓ 15-25 Words Per Point: Enough context while remaining scannable
The WHAT-WHY-HOW Formula #
The WHAT-WHY-HOW formula creates Key Takeaway points that AI engines can confidently extract and cite. Each component serves a specific purpose in the citation process. This structured approach aligns with content organization principles that maximize AI comprehension.
Key Takeaways sections function as mini direct answer intros - providing concentrated value within the first 150 words formula that AI engines prioritize for citations.
| Component | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| WHAT | Core concept or finding | “40% Citation Boost” |
| WHY | Importance or rationale | “Summary boxes signal authority” |
| HOW | Action or implementation | “Place within first 300 words” |
This approach aligns with context checkpoints AI evaluates. For more on summary structure, see TL;DR and Summary Boxes.
Formatting Guidelines #
Your Key Takeaways should follow optimal list density principles - typically 3-7 points that represent 15-20% of total article length. Use proper heading hierarchy (H2 or H3) to signal importance to AI parsers.
To audit your Key Takeaways section, use GEO-Lens which evaluates summary box effectiveness as part of the Organization score.
Frequently Asked Questions #
How do I write Key Takeaways that AI cites? #
Write Key Takeaways using the WHAT-WHY-HOW formula: start each point with a bold concept, include specific numbers, and directly answer user queries. Position the section within the first 300 words and limit to 3-7 concise bullet points. This aligns with GEO context signals.
What format works best for Key Takeaways? #
The best format uses a clear header (H2 or H3 labeled “Key Takeaways”), visual distinction (background or border), and bullet points with bold lead phrases followed by explanatory text. Each point should be 15-25 words. Similar formatting applies to opening paragraphs.
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.