Perplexity SEO: We Analyzed 30 Answers to See How It Cites Sources

Wondering how to actually rank in Perplexity AI? We reverse-engineered 30 search queries to crack the Answer Engine algorithm. Here is the bottom line:
The BLUF Rule: Answer the core question in the first 100 words. Our data shows 90% of winning citations provide a direct definition immediately.
Format is the New Intent: Keywords matter less than HTML structure. You must use tables and listicles to perfectly mirror the exact output the AI wants to generate.
Niche Authority Wins: You do not need a massive domain rating. Perplexity actively prioritizes hyper-relevant niche experts and aggressively filters for fresh content published within the last 18 months.