What is query fan-out
When an AI platform answers a prompt, it often runs internal sub-queries first — especially on search-augmented models like Perplexity, Google AI Mode, and Google AI Overviews. Query fan-out is the set of sub-queries the AI generates before producing its final answer.
Why it matters
Section titled “Why it matters”Fan-out data reveals:
- What the AI is actually searching for when users ask about your category
- Which domains appear in retrieval — often before they appear as citations
- Content gaps — topics the AI searches for where you have no coverage
- Keyword opportunities — sub-queries you should add to your Google keyword tracking
How Quratic captures fan-out
Section titled “How Quratic captures fan-out”During each prompt check, Quratic records sub-queries when the AI platform exposes them (availability varies by model). Sub-queries are classified as:
- Known — identified and categorised
- SERP-related — tied to traditional Google search results
- Unknown — captured but not classified
Metrics
Section titled “Metrics”| Metric | Definition |
|---|---|
| Avg fan-out | Average sub-queries per check |
| Known queries | Total classified sub-queries in the period |
| Top queries | Most frequent sub-queries across all prompts |