{
  "kind": "answer",
  "studySlug": "query-translation",
  "slug": "should-you-build-pages-for-best-of-and-list-intent-even-if-users-dont-ask-that-way",
  "title": "Should you build pages for best-of and list intent even if users do not ask that way?",
  "description": "Yes. AI turns a meaningful share of vague prompts into list-like and best-of retrieval queries, so pages that already match that structure are easier for models to find and cite.",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-01-22",
  "lastTested": "2026-01-22",
  "sourceStudyUrl": "/trakkr-research/query-translation",
  "sourceStudyTitle": "How AI Translates Your Questions",
  "claimIds": [
    "query-translation:list-conversion",
    "query-translation:best-of-conversion"
  ],
  "relatedSlugs": [
    "answer:why-do-models-rewrite-so-heavily-before-they-search",
    "answer:does-ai-prefer-expanded-queries-over-shorter-ones",
    "fact:ai-adds-location-context-in-thirteen-percent-of-rewrites",
    "tracker:query-transformation-severity-tracker"
  ],
  "methodologySummary": "Built from 11,521 captured prompt-to-query pairs observed in OpenAI web search calls, with 100% search-query coverage in the sampled dataset.",
  "limitations": [
    "This study reflects captured search-query transformations rather than every hidden retrieval step a model may perform.",
    "Some inserted entities reflect category heuristics or market leaders rather than final recommendation outcomes.",
    "The underlying dataset is concentrated in commercial and research prompts rather than all possible conversational traffic."
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "query translation",
    "AI search rewrites",
    "prompt rewriting",
    "AI retrieval behavior",
    "best of intent AI",
    "AI list intent"
  ],
  "schemaHints": {
    "pageType": "Article",
    "includeDataset": true
  },
  "question": "Should you build pages for best-of and list intent even if users do not ask that way?",
  "directAnswer": "Yes. AI turns a meaningful share of vague prompts into list-like and best-of retrieval queries, so pages that already match that structure are easier for models to find and cite.",
  "answerSummary": "This is a strong argument for query-shape coverage, not just volume-based keyword coverage. Models actively rewrite 20.13 percent of queries to include list framing and 20.21 percent to include best-of framing.",
  "keyFacts": [
    {
      "label": "List-format conversion",
      "value": "20.13%",
      "detail": "2,319 rewrites added list framing.",
      "claimId": "query-translation:list-conversion"
    },
    {
      "label": "Best-of conversion",
      "value": "20.21%",
      "detail": "2,328 rewrites added best-of framing.",
      "claimId": "query-translation:best-of-conversion"
    }
  ],
  "evidenceTable": [
    {
      "label": "List-format conversion",
      "value": "20.13%",
      "note": "2,319 rewrites added list framing."
    },
    {
      "label": "Best-of conversion",
      "value": "20.21%",
      "note": "2,328 rewrites added best-of framing."
    }
  ],
  "whyItMatters": "This answer matters because it turns a study finding into an operating rule teams can use when they decide what to publish, refresh, or measure next. Content strategies must account for AI rewriting behavior to maintain visibility.",
  "whatToDo": [
    "Write for the query the model is likely to search, not just the wording a human might type first.",
    "Add current-year, format, and category framing where it genuinely helps the page answer the query.",
    "Make sure competitor and category language is present when the model is likely to inject it during retrieval."
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "How often do AI models add list framing to user prompts?",
      "answer": "AI models added list framing to 20.13 percent of queries, representing 2,319 rewrites in the study."
    },
    {
      "question": "What is the conversion rate for best-of framing in AI rewrites?",
      "answer": "The best-of conversion rate is 20.21 percent, accounting for 2,328 rewrites that added best-of framing."
    }
  ]
}