It’s February 2026 — here’s what just changed in AI search that you should know about.BLOCK 1: Answer Block
AI engines extract a few high-signal chunks early—especially your first direct-answer H2, your “How it Works” H2, and your comparison/decision H2. If those headings are vague, clever, or buried under the wrong structure, your page won’t be cited no matter how good the writing is. Your intro is for humans; your first H2 is for machines.
What Is an H2 Tag (and Why AI Cares)?
An H2 is a heading that defines a major section of your page—usually the first layer under your H1. It’s how you tell both humans and machines, “this is the next important topic.”
For AI engines, H2s act like extraction labels. When an engine is trying to answer a query, it looks for headings that clearly announce an answer, a mechanism, or a decision. If your headings are marketing-flavored or unclear, the engine can’t confidently reuse your content.
Highlights
Here are the five moments that matter most from the video—because they map directly to how AI systems choose what to cite.
- AI engines don’t read top-to-bottom. They extract specific sections, and most pages get this wrong.
- Heading #1 is the first H2 that directly answers the query. Not your intro. Not your brand story. A clear definition-style answer block.
- Heading #2 is the “How it works” / process breakdown. Step-by-step logic that’s bullet-friendly and cause → effect.
- Heading #3 is the comparison / decision heading. “X vs Y” or “When to use A vs B” is where judgment questions get answered—and where citations happen.
- The gold formula is simple: H1 topic → H2 “What is” → H2 “How it works” → H2 “Vs alternatives.” This structure fixes more AI visibility issues than most tools.
The pattern: each of these headings makes your page extractable. AI engines want content they can reuse without interpretation. If the section label is unclear, the engine moves on.
Takeaways
- Rankings ≠ citations. If your structure isn’t extraction-friendly, you can rank and still be invisible inside AI answers.
- Definitions come first. Your first H2 should behave like a clean definition block aligned to the query.
- Mechanism builds trust. “How it works” sections feed follow-up prompts and improve reuse.
- Decisions earn citations. Comparisons are where AI needs help deciding—and where it quotes sources.
- Clarity beats clever. If a human has to read the heading twice, AI already skipped it.
BLOCK 2: Proof Block
Highlights Mapped to Action
| Highlight | What It Signals | Why It Matters | What To Do Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI extracts sections (doesn’t read top-to-bottom) | Extraction-first parsing | If your best info is buried, it won’t be reused | Audit headings and move answers into extractable sections |
| First H2 directly answers the query | Definition/anchor chunk | This is often the summarization source | Make H2: “What Is [Topic]?” and answer in 2–4 sentences |
| “How it works” / process breakdown | Mechanism + step logic | Feeds secondary prompts and follow-up questions | Add H2: “How [Topic] Works” with bullets + cause → effect |
| Comparison / decision heading | Judgment & distinctions | Citations spike where AI must decide | Add H2: “[Topic] vs Alternatives” (or “When to use A vs B”) |
| Simple 3-H2 formula beats tools | Repeatable structure | Most “AI visibility” problems are structural | Apply the H1 → What Is → How It Works → Vs Alternatives pattern |
Ranking Mindset vs AI Visibility Mindset
| Ranking Mindset | AI Visibility Mindset |
|---|---|
| Long intros and brand narrative up front | Immediate definition under the first H2 |
| Creative headings (“Why this matters,” “Understanding…”) | Literal headings (“What is…”, “How it works…”, “X vs Y”) |
| Assumes the reader follows the whole page | Assumes the engine extracts only a few chunks |
| Content quality as the primary lever | Structure + extractability as the primary lever |
| Explains benefits broadly | Helps the engine decide (comparisons & distinctions) |
AI Citation Readiness Checklist (Headings That Get Extracted)
- H1 states the main topic clearly (no cleverness).
- Your first H2 is “What Is [Topic]?” (or equivalent) and answers directly in 2–4 sentences.
- You include an H2 for “How [Topic] Works” with bullets or step logic.
- You include an H2 for comparison/decision (e.g., “[Topic] vs Alternatives”).
- Headings avoid vague marketing language (“Why it matters,” “Introduction,” “Understanding…”).
- Answers aren’t buried under nested H4s; key sections are easy to extract.
- Each H2 announces exactly what the section contains—so AI can reuse it confidently.
The Simple Page Formula (Gold)
This is the structure shown in the video:
- H1: Main Topic
- H2: What Is [Topic]?
- H2: How [Topic] Works
- H2: [Topic] vs Alternatives
Key line: Your intro is for humans. Your first H2 is for machines.
Common Mistakes That Break Extraction
- Clever or vague headings that require interpretation
- Marketing language instead of literal labels
- Nested “real answers” buried under H4s
Quick-hit line: If I have to read it to understand it, AI already skipped it.
Watch the Video
If you want the walkthrough and examples, watch Video 19 here: https://youtu.be/Mhvj91N6u9o?si=vosEC9qhK58LtyZC
Visuals
FAQ
Why don’t AI engines read my page top to bottom?
AI systems often extract a handful of high-signal sections instead of consuming the full page in order. They prioritize chunks that are easy to interpret and reuse. If your answers are buried, they get skipped.
What is the most important heading for AI citations?
The first H2 that directly answers the query is the biggest lever. It should behave like a definition block and appear early. That first clear answer is often what gets summarized and reused.
Should my intro be the place where I answer the question?
Not if you want consistent extraction. Your intro is for humans, but AI tends to look for labeled answer sections. Put the direct answer under a clear H2 instead of burying it in the lede.
What should my first H2 look like?
Use a literal heading that matches the intent, like “What Is [Topic]?” Avoid vague titles like “Introduction” or “Why [Topic] Matters.” Then answer in 2–4 direct sentences.
Why does a “How it works” section matter to AI?
AI doesn’t just want a definition—it wants the mechanism. Process sections feed follow-up prompts and secondary questions. Bullet-friendly logic and cause → effect make reuse easier.
Why do comparisons generate more citations?
AI engines often answer judgment questions, and comparisons help them decide. Distinctions like “X vs Y” or “When to use A vs B” are citation magnets. If your page helps the engine decide, it’s more likely to quote you.
What breaks AI extraction the fastest?
Clever, vague headings and marketing language are the biggest culprits. Another common issue is burying the real answers under nested H4s. If the heading doesn’t announce the answer clearly, AI skips it.
What is the simplest heading structure that improves AI visibility?
Use this sequence: H1 main topic, then H2 “What Is [Topic]?”, H2 “How [Topic] Works”, and H2 “[Topic] vs Alternatives.” This structure alone fixes many AI visibility issues because it’s extraction-friendly.
If my content ranks, why isn’t it being cited by AI?
Because rankings and citations aren’t the same problem. You can rank with long-form content that humans love, but AI needs clean, labeled chunks it can reuse. Most citation gaps are structural, not “content quality” issues.
Do I need to rewrite my whole page to fix this?
No—start with the three headings AI extracts first. Add a direct-answer first H2, a “How it works” H2, and a comparison H2. Often you’re reorganizing and relabeling more than rewriting.
BLOCK 3: Next Click Block
If your content ranks but isn’t being cited by AI, it’s usually a structural problem—not a content problem. Fix the three headings AI extracts first, and you’ll often see your pages become more reusable inside AI answers.
If you want help making your pages citation-ready, contact GreenBanana SEO here.
