Query fan-out
Also called: fan-out, query fan out, sub-queries
Definition
Query fan-out is the way a generative engine turns one question into several sub-searches. Google described this technique for AI Mode, and ChatGPT works in a similar way: for a question about the best e-bikes, it may search separately for comparisons, reviews, prices and recent models.
The sources cited therefore depend on these sub-searches, and they can change abruptly. In August 2026, according to Promptwatch, ChatGPT started running many more targeted searches on specific sites. As a result, Reddit's share of its citations fell 86% in four days, in favor of official sites and help centers.
Example
“Which CRM for a 10-person agency?” can become “best CRM for agencies”, “CRM price per user” and “HubSpot vs Pipedrive reviews”: three searches, three sets of sources.
What it means for your AI visibility
Your brand can be cited thanks to a sub-search you hadn't anticipated, like a comparison or a pricing question. Covering those angles on your own pages increases your chances of being picked up.
Related terms
- Google AI ModeAI Mode is Google's conversational search mode: an answer written by Gemini, with follow-ups, instead of the results page.
- ChatGPT SearchChatGPT Search is ChatGPT's web search feature: it reads pages when it answers and cites its sources.
- RAGRAG lets an AI look for documents before answering, then write its answer from what it found.
- Conversational searchConversational search replaces keywords with full questions, put to an AI in natural language, with follow-ups.
- UGCUGC covers content published by users: reviews, forums, Reddit, videos. AI relies on it heavily to size up a brand.
Updated on · All glossary terms