Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben
Listen on your favourite platform
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| YouTube | Listen on YouTube → |
What Does “Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben” Talk About?
This episode of the Fatrank Podcast features James Dooley interviewing Jabez Reuben on the topic of listicle link building as a strategy for getting brands cited and ranked inside ChatGPT and other large language models. The conversation opens by explaining how ChatGPT uses a query fan-out technique, searching for multiple variations of a query simultaneously, which makes brands featured across several listicle articles more likely to surface in AI-generated responses. Jabez explains why listicles are particularly effective right now for information retrieval by LLMs and how that translates into faster visibility for brands.
The discussion also touches on how different LLMs retrieve information from different sources, including Bing search, Google, Common Crawl, and potentially ChatGPT's own in-house search engine. James highlights the significance of Bing versus Google rankings for AI visibility, noting that a site ranking well in Bing may appear in ChatGPT results even if it does not perform well in Google, affecting what Gemini surfaces in AI overviews. Jabez further breaks down why brands must build entity consensus by publishing not just listicles but also comparison articles with competitors, deal-breaker content, direct review articles, and antonym-based articles to consistently appear across all relevant query variations inside ChatGPT.
“If you are not in the same league as competitors that these LLMs have already identified as entities in a specific category, then they will not identify your brand at the same level.”
— Jabez Reuben
Who Are the Guests on “Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben”?
Jabez Reuben is an SEO and AI visibility strategist and founder of the agency theblueprints.co. His expertise centers on LLM optimisation, entity-based SEO, and listicle link building strategies designed to help brands gain recognition and citations inside AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT. In this episode he demonstrates deep knowledge of how large language models retrieve and rank information, including query fan-out mechanics and the role of entity consensus in AI rankings.
James Dooley is the host of the Fatrank Podcast and a well-known figure in the SEO and digital marketing industry. He brings practical experience in link building strategies including guest posts, press releases, and content-based link acquisition. His questions in this episode reflect an informed perspective on the evolving landscape of AI search, including the technical debate around which data sources ChatGPT uses to generate its responses.
What Are the Key Takeaways From “Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben”?
Here are the key points discussed in this episode:
- ChatGPT uses a query fan-out technique that searches for multiple variations of a query, making brands featured across several listicle articles more likely to be cited in AI responses.
- Building entity consensus in ChatGPT requires publishing multiple content formats including listicles, comparison articles, deal-breaker content, direct reviews, and antonym-based articles, not just a single listicle.
- Including established competitor brands in listicles helps LLMs like ChatGPT associate a newer brand with recognised entities in the same niche, accelerating category-level recognition.
- Different LLMs pull information from different sources such as Bing, Google, and Common Crawl, meaning SEO strategies must be tailored to the specific retrieval methods of each AI platform.
- Listicles make information retrieval easier and faster for LLMs right now, giving brands that appear across multiple listicles a competitive advantage in AI-generated search results.
“You need to get cited in a lot of listicles, and not just listicles. You need to build multiple variations.”
— Jabez Reuben
Is “Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben” Worth Listening To?
This episode is worth listening to for anyone trying to understand the practical mechanics behind getting a brand mentioned in ChatGPT search results. Rather than offering vague advice about AI SEO, Jabez Reuben provides a clear framework built around query fan-out, entity consensus, and multi-format content strategies. The explanation of why competitors must be included in listicles to help LLMs categorise a brand is a particularly actionable and counterintuitive insight that most business owners and SEO professionals have not yet considered.
The conversation also adds valuable nuance by discussing how ChatGPT, Gemini, and other LLMs may rely on different search indices, which means ranking strategies cannot be one-size-fits-all across AI platforms. James Dooley's informed questioning keeps the discussion grounded in real-world link building decisions rather than abstract theory. Whether you are a brand owner, content marketer, or SEO professional trying to adapt to the shift toward AI-powered search, this episode provides a concrete starting point for building an LLM optimisation strategy.
Who Should Listen to “Listicle Link Building for ChatGPT Rankings | James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben”?
This episode is ideal for:
- SEO professionals looking to expand their link building strategies to include AI search optimisation
- Business owners who want their brand or company to appear in ChatGPT and other LLM-generated responses
- Digital marketers working on content strategies for AI visibility and entity-based SEO
- Agency owners and consultants advising clients on how to compete in an AI-driven search landscape
Where Can You Listen to Fatrank Podcast?
You can listen to Fatrank Podcast on all major podcast platforms:
- Apple Podcasts – Search for “Fatrank Podcast” in the Podcasts app
- Spotify – Available on Spotify for free
- Amazon Music / Audible – Listen through your Amazon account
- Overcast – For iOS users who prefer a dedicated podcast app
- Pocket Casts – Cross-platform podcast player
You can also subscribe using the RSS feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/fatrank-podcast
What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?
“The explanation of query fan-out finally made AI SEO click for me. I had no idea ChatGPT was searching multiple variations of a query at once, and understanding that completely changes how I think about content placement. Really practical episode.”
“Jabez's point about including competitors in your listicles to build entity association was something I never would have thought of on my own. Already putting together a content plan based on what he described with comparison articles and deal-breaker content.”
“Short and to the point, which I appreciated. The breakdown of how Bing rankings affect ChatGPT visibility versus how Google rankings affect Gemini was a genuinely useful distinction that I have not heard explained this clearly anywhere else.”
James Dooley and Jabez Reuben discuss how listicle link building helps brands rank and get cited inside ChatGPT and other LLMs. The conversation explains how AI models use query fan-out techniques to retrieve information across multiple search variations, making listicle articles highly effective for AI visibility. Jabez Reuben breaks down why brands need consistent mentions across listicles, comparison articles, reviews and deal-breaker content to build entity consensus within ChatGPT. The discussion also covers Bing search, Common Crawl, AI overviews and how different LLMs retrieve and rank sources differently. Business owners and SEO professionals can learn how strategic content placement, competitor comparisons and entity association improve AI SEO and LLM optimisation. The video gives practical insights into ranking brands in ChatGPT search results through scalable listicle link building strategies.
James Dooley: Listicle link building for ranking in ChatGPT. There are many business owners now trying to get their brand or company listed and mentioned inside ChatGPT specifically. So, Jabez, why does listicle link building help get brands listed in ChatGPT?
Jabez Reuben: Specifically for ChatGPT, when you publish a listicle, or let's start from the back end, when you search for a query on ChatGPT, it uses what we call a query fan-out. It searches for that particular term in multiple variations.
For example, it might search for "best accounting firms in London". Then it will search for multiple variations such as best accounting firms for small businesses, enterprise accounting firms, and so on. If your brand is ranked across multiple articles with titles like "Five Recommended Accounting Firms for XYZ Niche" or "Top 10 Recommended Firms for Small Businesses", you start ranking faster. Why are LLMs currently picking up listicles? I do not have a solid answer for that, but what I can say is that, at least for now, listicles make information retrieval easier for them. Maybe later they change some algorithms, but as of now, listicles make information retrieval easy and fast. That is why you rank faster in ChatGPT if you are featured in multiple listicles.
James Dooley: For sure. With regards to ChatGPT, I still hear many people debating whether they use Bing search to pull information into ChatGPT, whether they use Google, or whether they were using SerpAPI before the lawsuit against it.
I do not know if they are still using that. So whether they are using Google search, Bing search or Common Crawl.
Jabez Reuben: Common Crawl, yeah.
James Dooley: I also believe they now have their own in-house search engine within it. Some people agree with that and some disagree.
One thing I do love about these listicles is that you seem to get cited really well in ChatGPT. What I like about it is looking at the sources ChatGPT is pulling in. Let's say they are using Bing. Bing and Google searches are different. A website ranking really well in Bing search might not rank well in Google, which means Gemini would not pull it into the AI overview, but ChatGPT does. I think that differentiator of knowing how to get listicles ranking in ChatGPT versus other LLMs becomes really important. With regards to these listicles, for anyone listening to this, how important is it for brands and business owners to start getting their business or brand listed in ChatGPT?
Jabez Reuben: As I said, first of all you have to build consensus. If you think you can publish one listicle article and your brand will start showing up in ChatGPT, that is not going to happen.
You need to get cited in a lot of listicles, and not just listicles. You need to build multiple variations. You need to publish comparison articles with your competitors. You need what we call deal-breaker articles. You need to publish things like "Why XYZ brands are safe to work with" or "Things to be careful of before buying XYZ protein powder". Then you need direct review articles, antonym-based articles, and many other variations. Listicles are just one format. Yes, they help, but once you start working on it, you need to publish multiple variations and styles of articles to build a very solid consensus so you can start ranking in ChatGPT. So yes, listicles and all these other variations help build consensus. When you are steadily ranking across all consensus points, you start ranking in ChatGPT.
James Dooley: How important is it for anyone watching this who wants to get listicles ranking better inside ChatGPT to include competitors on the list as well?
Jabez Reuben: Absolutely. If you are not in the same league as competitors that these LLMs have already identified as entities in a specific category, then they will not identify your brand at the same level.
What we do is start with initial articles where we include our main competitors in the top 10. That way, ChatGPT and other LLMs can understand that this new brand belongs in the same category as the top players already identified in that niche. For example, if it is the best protein powders category, once you start stacking more articles, you can slowly move those top competitors lower down the rankings, but still include them somewhere in the article. This makes it easier for LLMs and ChatGPT to identify your brand in the same league. You should definitely create comparison articles with your top competitors as well.
James Dooley: For anyone watching this who is looking to do link building strategies, whether it is guest posts, press releases or anything else, and they now want to get some listicles to help their brand get mentioned in ChatGPT, what is the best way of reaching out to yourself, Jabez, to get these listicles that can help influence ChatGPT search?
Jabez Reuben: You can reach out through our agency website, theblueprints.co, or you can reach out to me directly via LinkedIn.
James Dooley: Jabez Reuben, it has been an absolute pleasure, and we hope you enjoyed the video about listicle link building specifically for ChatGPT.
Creators & Guests
Host
James Dooley is the founder of FatRank which is a UK lead generation company. James Dooley is the current CEO of FatRank that provides high-quality leads for UK business owners.