---
title: "What is Query fan-out? - LeapScope"
url: https://leap-scope.com/glossary/query-fan-out
description: "Query fan-out is when an answer engine turns one user prompt into several search queries, retrieves results for each, and combines them into one answer."
---

# Query fan-out

Query fan-out is when an answer engine turns one user prompt into several search queries, retrieves results for each, and combines them into one answer.

A prompt like "best project management tool for a small agency" may fan out into searches for tool lists, pricing, reviews and comparisons. Pages that answer one of those sub-queries well can be cited even if they never target the full prompt.

For content, this rewards covering the sub-questions of a topic explicitly, with headings a retriever can match, rather than writing one broad page.

## Related terms

- [Grounding (retrieval-augmented generation)](https://leap-scope.com/glossary/grounding)
- [Google AI Mode](https://leap-scope.com/glossary/ai-mode)
- [Topic (prompt cluster)](https://leap-scope.com/glossary/topic)

[All glossary terms](https://leap-scope.com/glossary)

## Measure query fan-out for your brand

LeapScope tracks the prompts your buyers ask on the AI engines every day and reports mentions, citations and share of voice against your competitors.