How to Test AEO with a Query Lab

Effective Answer Engine Optimization is scientific. Instead of guessing, you can run controlled tests to measure exactly how your content edits impact visibility. This guide walks you through the process using a Query Lab.

The 5 Steps of an AEO Test

1. Ingest URLs: Upload a sitemap or paste a list of URLs into the Query Lab to define your test group.
2. Select Query Set: Choose a pre-built 250-query set relevant to your domain and user intent (e.g., 'SaaS - High Intent').
3. Run Baseline Test: Execute the test to capture initial metrics, including PAWC, citation rate, and Subjective Impression (SI).
4. Apply Content Edits: Implement AEO changes on your staging server, such as adding citations, quotes, or tightening the lead paragraph.
5. Re-test & Compare: Run the test again on the edited content and compare the delta in PAWC and SI to measure the impact of your changes.

Interpreting the Results

The goal is to see a positive change (a 'delta' or Δ) in your key metrics. A successful test will show:

• ΔPAWC: An increase in your Position-Adjusted Word Count, meaning more of your content is appearing in answers.
• ΔSI: An increase in your Subjective Impression score, meaning the perceived quality and authority of your content has improved.