Prompt-Compatible Copy

Definition: Prompt-compatible copy is content written so that a large language model can lift, restate, or condition on it with minimal extra prompting. It states the claim first, uses stable entity names, keeps ideas in small self-contained units, and exposes inputs/outputs explicitly—so when a user (or another system) says “use the paragraph from X” or “summarize step 3,” the model has everything it needs right in the text.

Scope:

  • Includes: Claim-first paragraphs; one-idea-per-paragraph structure; explicit labels (role, audience, steps, constraints); stable terminology for entities and products; short Q&A blocks; examples that don’t depend on off-page context; copy that can be safely quoted in RAG/agent flows.
  • Excludes: Long, blended paragraphs with multiple claims; heavy referential language (“as above,” “see below,” “our platform” with no name); layout-only structure (tables/screenshots) without textual equivalents; copy that assumes a human editor will add missing context.
  • Notes: Prompt-compatible copy is not about writing for one prompt; it’s about making the text re-usable across prompts—by humans, by agents, and by answer engines that need to ground responses.

Why it matters: Most agents and LLM workflows fail not because the model is weak, but because the source text is underspecified. When copy declares its purpose, audience, entities, and steps up front, the model can (1) quote it cleanly, (2) transform it into other formats (emails, briefs, FAQs), and (3) combine it with other sources without hallucinating missing pieces. This directly supports AEO, content reuse, and “write once, prompt many.”

See also:
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO); Entity-rich content; Format discipline; AI-selectable paragraph; Micro-page; Source eligibility; Definition page; How-to page; Comparison page

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