AI prompt research: find the questions buyers ask AI

By the Variask team · Updated

In short

Prompt research is the AI search version of keyword research. Because AI platforms do not publish what people ask, you build your prompt list from proxies: Google keyword data, the words customers use on calls and in reviews, community threads, and the follow up questions AI itself suggests. Then you rewrite them as natural questions and tag them by topic and buying stage.

Key facts

  • There is no official prompt volume data from ChatGPT or other assistants.
  • Customer language is the best source of real prompts.
  • Unbranded questions show where new buyers decide.
  • A good prompt set covers each product, market and buying stage.

Why prompts differ from keywords

A keyword is a few words typed into a search box. A prompt is a question or request, often with context about the person and their situation. Prompts are longer, more specific and more varied. Good prompt research captures the kinds of questions buyers ask, not every possible wording, because AI engines treat similar wordings in similar ways.

Where to find real prompts

  • Your top Google keywords, rewritten as full questions.
  • Search Console queries, especially long question style queries.
  • Sales and support calls: the exact words buyers use.
  • Reviews of your product and competitors.
  • Reddit, forums and community threads in your category.
  • People also ask boxes and the follow ups AI assistants suggest.
  • Competitor comparison and alternatives pages.

Types of prompts to include

  1. 1Discovery: what is the best tool for a specific need.
  2. 2Comparison: brand A versus brand B, or alternatives to a brand.
  3. 3Problem: how do I solve a specific problem.
  4. 4Evaluation: is a brand good for a specific use, what does it cost.
  5. 5Branded: what is your brand, is it trustworthy.

How to choose and organise

Score each prompt by how close it is to a purchase and how well it fits what you sell. Keep the ones a real buyer would ask. Tag them by product, topic, market and stage so you can see where you are strong and weak. Start with 50 to 100 and review the list each quarter.

Add personas for realism

The same question can get a different answer depending on who asks. A founder, a marketing manager and an IT lead might each be recommended different tools. Running key prompts as different buyer types shows how AI treats each segment.

Put this into practice with Variask Prompt research, Variask AI visibility and the free AI prompt idea generator. See Variask pricing or read the Variask FAQ.

Put it into practice

Do this with Variask

Questions

AI prompt research:
common questions

Some tools estimate prompt demand, but no assistant publishes official volumes. Treat any estimate as directional.

Start with 50 to 100 per main market, covering each product and buying stage.

Mostly no. Unbranded prompts show where new buyers decide. Add a few branded ones to check accuracy.

Review it every quarter, and add prompts when you launch products or enter new markets.

Sometimes. Track the main kinds of question rather than every variation, and test a few wordings for your most important prompts.

University

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