Effective AEO is not one-size-fits-all. A domain-specific playbook tailors your evidence strategy to the unique standards of your industry (e.g., SaaS, Health, Fintech), ensuring you use the types of evidence that answer engines and users in your niche trust most.
Core Stats
"Authority is contextual. What works in SaaS won't work in healthcare."
- AEO VC Research
Domain-Specific AEO Playbooks
To win in Answer Engine Optimization, you need to think like your audience. A generic evidence strategy is not enough. This guide explains how to build a domain-specific playbook to align your content with the unique trust signals of your industry.
Why Domain Specificity Matters
The definition of an 'authoritative source' changes dramatically between industries. Answer engines are trained to recognize these nuances. To be cited, your content must provide the type of evidence that is considered credible and relevant within your specific domain.
Playbook Examples by Domain
The right evidence depends on your vertical. Here are a few examples:
| Domain | Key Evidence Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS | Technical Documentation | Link to official API docs, changelogs, or GitHub repos. |
| Health | Clinical Studies | Cite peer-reviewed journals, clinical trial results, and medical guidelines. |
| Fintech | Regulatory Filings | Link to SEC filings, official regulations, and financial reports. |
| E-commerce | Product Specs & Reviews | Use structured data for specifications and cite verified user reviews. |
For a real-world example, see the AEO playbook for e-commerce brands from Re:signal, which details tactics specific to that vertical.
How to Build Your Own Playbook
- Identify Your Domain's Sources of Truth: What do professionals in your field rely on?
- Analyze Top-Cited Sources: For your target queries, who are the answer engines already citing? What kind of evidence do they use?
- Adapt Your Strategy: Prioritize gathering and integrating the evidence types that are most valued in your domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use the same strategy for all content?
Because different domains have different 'sources of truth.' A SaaS developer trusts API documentation, while a doctor trusts clinical trials. Your evidence must match user expectations.
What if my industry isn't listed?
The principle is universal: identify what your audience considers authoritative and build your evidence strategy around that. This could be anything from government regulations to user reviews.
How do I create a playbook for my domain?
Start by analyzing the top-cited sources for your target queries. Identify the common evidence types and adapt your content strategy to match.