Editorial microsites are focused, research-driven sites we build as independent publications rather than sales pages. Each microsite covers a single theme and doubles down on E-E-A-T signals: clear authorship, original data, transparent methods, and explicit editorial standards. That combination makes the content easier for AI systems to trust and reuse.
Why we use microsites
Visitors and AI models respond to clarity and credibility. A microsite lets us separate deep, educational content from product copy so every page can be structured for extraction and citation. When we publish studies, definitions, and decision guides in a consistent template, those pages become recurring sources for answer engines.
What the microsite contains
We structure the site like a publication. There is a research hub for surveys and benchmarks with methods and dates. There are cornerstone explainers with concise definitions, criteria, and FAQs. For comparative topics we include category maps, use-case matrices, and tables that summarize tradeoffs. Every page has author bios, references, and update notes.
How we structure pages
We use semantic chunking to make content easy to parse: a TL;DR summary, short sections with question-led headings, tables where comparisons matter, and a focused FAQ that answers natural follow-ups. We avoid orphan pages by connecting topic hubs to subtopics so crawlers and readers can move through the theme logically.
How we measure success
Inside our platform we tag prompts that align with the microsite’s theme and track brand mentions and citations across Perplexity, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Google AI Overviews. We look for early-position citations to the microsite’s URLs, not just volume. When we see a study or explainer consistently cited, we expand that pattern across adjacent topics. If a page is visible but appears late in a citation list, we add a TL;DR, refresh dates, tighten headings, and include a compact table so extraction improves.
Our workflow
- Choose a theme where we can add durable value with research and explainers.
- Ship a small set of templates: research report, glossary explainer, comparison guide.
- Publish the first five to seven articles and interlink them clearly.
- Track mentions and citations by platform for four weeks, then iterate.
Example structure (template)
Each article follows the same pattern: Introduction with a two-sentence BLUF and single takeaway. Definition or verdict in a concise paragraph models can reuse. Evidence with a chart or table and one-sentence caption. Method or criteria showing how we measured, selected, or compared. FAQ with three to five direct answers to predictable follow-ups. References in short APA list so provenance is clear.
A mini case
We launched a “platform citation patterns” microsite with five articles: a definition page, a research post with citation counts by platform, a comparison table showing UI differences, a how-to for measuring position, and an FAQ. Within two weeks, Perplexity began citing the research post in the top three positions for prompts about AI citation behavior. We then replicated the pattern for new categories, keeping the same template and linking structure.