Make Your Local Articles AI-Ready with “Answer Blocks”

You’ve undoubtedly experienced the change in search engines.  You search for a question you have, and Google or another search engine just gives you the answer before a long list of website options. It’s no longer just about ranking on page one. It’s about being chosen to be that answer provider.

• Chosen by Google.
• Chosen by AI search summaries.
• Chosen by voice assistants.

And if your local news articles aren’t structured correctly, they won’t be.

The good news? This is one of the simplest website upgrades you can make this week.  I call them “Answer Blocks.”

What’s Changing in Search (And Why It Matters)

Search engines — and AI tools — are now summarizing content directly inside search results. That means instead of sending users to ten blue links, they’re often pulling a direct answer from one website and presenting it instantly.

If your article clearly answers:

• What happened?
• When is it?
• Where is it?
• Who is affected?
• What should people do?

You increase your odds of being the source that gets featured.  If your story buries those details in paragraph five? You’re invisible.

What Is an “Answer Block”?

An Answer Block is a short, structured section near the top of your article that clearly answers the key questions in plain language.  Think of it as the “radio version” of your story — tight, direct, and useful.

Here’s what it looks like:

Example: Before

The annual Fall Festival returns this weekend with live music, food trucks, and activities for the entire family…

That’s fine. But it’s not structured.

Example: After (With Answer Blocks)

When is the Fall Festival?
Saturday, March 8, 2026, from 10am–4pm.

Where is it happening?
Central Park in downtown Springfield.

What can families expect?
Live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and over 40 local vendors.

Then continue with your normal article flow.

Now you’ve made the story easy for:

• Google and other AI searches to understand
• AI tools to summarize
• Readers to skim
• Your on-air talent to reference

Why This Is Especially Important for Radio Stations

Radio websites often rely on conversational writing. That’s not a bad thing.  But conversational writing can unintentionally bury critical information.

Remember: When someone searches “Springfield road closure Saturday,” they’re not looking for a narrative.

They want:

• The road
• The time
• The detour

Answer Blocks respect the listener’s time.  And when you consistently structure your articles this way, your station starts becoming the most reliable local source online — not just on-air.

How to Implement “Answer Blocks” This Week

Here’s your quick-action checklist:

1) Update Your Last Five Local Articles
Go into your five most recent local stories and:

• Add 2–4 bolded question-style subheadings near the top
• Rewrite key facts into short, direct answers
• Include specific dates, times, and locations

Don’t overthink it. Clarity beats cleverness.

2) Use Bullet Points for Event or Weather Details
If your article includes:

• Schedule changes
• Storm timing
• Event lineups
• Road closures

Turn them into bullet lists. Search engines love structure. Readers do too.

3) Add a 2–3 Sentence Summary at the Top
Before the first paragraph, add a brief summary:

The Springfield Fall Festival takes place Saturday from 10am–4pm at Central Park. The event features live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.

This helps AI tools quickly identify the main takeaway.

This Isn’t About Gaming Search

It’s about being useful. AI tools are prioritizing clarity, authority, and direct answers.

If your website consistently provides that, you’re positioning your station as:

• The fastest place to get local information
• The most reliable digital source in your market
• The site worth bookmarking

And here’s the bigger opportunity:

Most local stations aren’t doing this yet.  That means you can.  This week.

Small structural changes like this don’t feel dramatic.  But over time? They compound.  And in today’s AI-driven search environment, structure wins.