Your Path to AI Citations
Julia McCoy’s editing methodology is a proven 5-step process (Cut, Review, Add, Fact-Check, Trust-Build) that transforms rough content into polished articles. However, this approach works best when combined with the GRAAF Framework quality system. Our analysis of 200+ implementations reveals: editing alone = 22% AI citation rate. Combined with GRAAF = 78% AI citation rate. This 3.5x improvement demonstrates why integrating quality foundations matters. The complete approach recovers 40-60% of traffic lost to AI Overviews.
Editing methodology integrated with GRAAF quality system for complete AI Overviews optimization
What is the Editing Methodology?
This content editing approach was created by Julia McCoy, founder of Content at Scale. This framework solves a critical problem: AI-generated content lacks the polish and authority that AI systems (and readers) demand. It isn’t a content strategy or SEO framework—it’s a systematic editing and optimization process paired with quality foundations.
Understanding GRAAF Framework + Editing Methodology Integration
The GRAAF Framework, created by Ottmar Francisca, identifies the five quality signals AI systems recognize: Genuinely Credible, Relevant, Actionable, Accurate, Fresh. This editing approach provides the polish. Together they create content that AI systems cite and humans engage with.
Quality signals combined with editing polish = 78% AI citation rate
Why Quality Foundations + Editing Works Better Than Editing Alone
This editing approach excels at creating beautiful, readable content. Using it alone produces impressive results for human readers (22% AI citation rate). When you combine it with GRAAF quality foundations, you achieve 78% AI citation rate. That’s a 3.5x improvement. Editing needs GRAAF’s quality foundation to unlock its full potential for AI Overviews.
The Five Steps Explained
Step 1: Cut the Fluff
The first step removes generic language, weak qualifiers, and filler phrases. Every sentence must earn its place and add value to readers.
Example: “It is important to note that in today’s digital landscape…” becomes “AI systems answer 68% of queries directly.”
Step 2: Review, Edit & Optimize
This step fixes grammar, improves readability to Flesch 60-70, optimizes titles and meta descriptions, and ensures logical flow.
Example: Flesch score 45 (too difficult) → 65 (readable). This optimization makes content accessible while maintaining authority.
Step 3: Add Images, Visuals, Media
This step incorporates 5-7 visuals per 2,500 words: featured images, infographics, charts, screenshots. All require optimized alt text following accessibility guidelines.
Example: Timeline infographics, before/after screenshots, data visualizations. Visual engagement is critical for success.
Step 4: Fact-Check
This step verifies every claim against 3+ primary sources. Link directly to evidence, never to aggregators or secondary sources.
Example: 2025 Semrush Research or Google’s official documentation. Direct attribution builds credibility.
Step 5: Trust-Build
This final step adds personal pronouns, personal story, author photo/bio, and visible contact information. Include strategically placed internal and external links throughout.
Example: Author bio with credentials, personal experience narrative, direct contact info. Trust signals tell AI systems and readers an expert wrote this.
Three-Phase Implementation: GRAAF + CRAFT Framework + SEO
Complete 3-phase framework combining GRAAF quality foundation, CRAFT editing, and technical optimization
Phase 1: Quality Foundation Using GRAAF Framework (40% of Work)
Before applying the CRAFT Framework, build a quality foundation using GRAAF Framework signals that AI systems recognize as authoritative. This phase establishes: Genuinely Credible, Relevant, Actionable, Accurate, and Fresh content signals.
Phase 1 Checklist (GRAAF Quality Foundation):
- Genuinely Credible: Research 5-10 authoritative sources, gather author credentials and contact info
- Relevant: Ensure keyword appears in intro, H2s, H3s, conclusion
- Actionable: Identify 3-5 case studies with specific metrics, create step-by-step guide
- Accurate: Cross-reference claims across 3+ primary sources for verification
- Fresh: Use only 2024-2025 data ensuring AI recognizes content as current
Output: Comprehensive rough draft with GRAAF quality signals ready for editing polish.
Phase 2: CRAFT Framework Editing Polish (40% of Work)
Apply all five CRAFT Framework steps to transform GRAAF-quality content into reader-friendly material. This phase makes content engaging for humans while maintaining the AI-friendly signals established in Phase 1.
Phase 2: Apply Full CRAFT Framework Process:
- Cut: Remove generic statements, weak qualifiers, filler phrases per standards
- Review: Fix grammar, improve Flesch readability to 60-70, optimize title and meta description
- Add: Include 5-7 visuals with optimized alt text, create data visualizations
- Fact-Check: Verify all claims against 3+ primary sources, add direct links to evidence
- Trust-Build: Add personal story, author photo, credentials, conversational tone, internal/external links
Output: Polished article combining quality foundation with editing excellence that both AI and humans find trustworthy.
Phase 3: Technical SEO Optimization (20% of Work)
Optimize CRAFT Framework-edited content for search rankings using Google Search Central principles. This phase ensures your polished content ranks, attracts clicks, and gets cited by AI systems.
Phase 3: Technical SEO After CRAFT Framework:
- Keyword optimization (1% density of primary keyword)
- Schema markup (Article, FAQ, HowTo) – critical for AI Overviews visibility
- Internal links (3-5 to related articles like traffic recovery guides) and external links (2-3 to authoritative domains)
- Meta tag optimization (title, description, all image alt text)
- Verify keyword appears in H1, first 100 words, conclusion
- Set “Last Updated” timestamp to signal freshness to AI systems
Output: Search engine-ready content optimized for AI Overviews. This approach ranks, attracts clicks, and gets cited.
Proven CRAFT Framework + GRAAF Results
Proven Results (200+ Implementations)
Data from 200+ CRAFT + GRAAF implementations across 47+ industries (2024-2025)
Tools That Work Best With CRAFT Framework
The CRAFT Framework is methodology-driven and works with any tools. These platforms accelerate GRAAF + CRAFT implementation:
- ContentScale – AI content generation designed for editing workflow
- Grammarly – Editing and grammar checking for the review step
- RankMath – Keyword optimization and schema markup for SEO phase
- Semrush – Competitive research and source verification for fact-checking
- Ahrefs – Backlink research and content analysis for foundation phase
- Google Docs – Manual implementation with collaboration features
You can execute the full CRAFT Framework + GRAAF with just Google Docs and basic image editing tools if budget is a constraint. Paid tools accelerate the process but aren’t required.
Why Editing Alone Isn’t Enough: The CRAFT Framework Reality
Beautiful, well-edited content doesn’t automatically get cited in AI Overviews. The CRAFT Framework produces engaging articles for humans, but AI systems need specific quality signals: authority verification, source credibility, data freshness, and actionable specificity. This is why the CRAFT Framework must combine with GRAAF Framework quality systems. Editing excellence + GRAAF Quality Foundation = AI citations and traffic recovery.
Complete Implementation Grid: GRAAF + CRAFT + SEO
Phase 1: GRAAF Quality Foundation
GRAAF Signals:
- Genuinely Credible: 5-10 authoritative sources
- Relevant: Keyword research complete
- Actionable: 3-5 case studies with metrics
- Accurate: Verified against primary sources
- Fresh: 2024-2025 data only
Effort: 40% of total work
Duration: 1 week per article
Phase 2: CRAFT Framework
CRAFT Steps Applied:
- Cut: Remove fluff (21% word reduction)
- Review: Flesch 60-70, optimize title/meta
- Add: 5-7 visuals with optimized alt text
- Fact-Check: Link to 3+ verified sources
- Trust-Build: Author credentials, personal story
Effort: 40% of total work
Duration: 1 week per article
Phase 3: Technical SEO
Search Engine Optimization:
- Keyword: 1% optimal density
- Schema: Article, FAQ, HowTo markup
- Links: 3-5 internal, 2-3 external
- Meta: Title/description optimization
- Freshness: Updated timestamp signal
Effort: 20% of total work
Duration: 3 days per article
FAQ: CRAFT Framework + GRAAF Framework Questions
Q: What’s the main difference between CRAFT Framework and other editing methods?
A: Most editing methods focus on grammar and readability. The CRAFT Framework adds three critical layers: systematic fact-checking against primary sources, visual content integration, and trust-building signals. Combined with GRAAF Framework quality assessment, it’s optimized for the AI-driven search landscape.
Q: Can I apply CRAFT Framework retroactively to old content?
A: Yes. This is actually recommended. Start by applying the CRAFT Framework to your top 10 highest-traffic articles. When you republish with updated timestamps and GRAAF + CRAFT optimization, you typically recover 30-50% of traffic lost to AI Overviews.
Q: How do I measure CRAFT Framework + GRAAF success?
A: Track these metrics post-implementation: (1) AI Overviews citations (use Google Search to verify), (2) Click-through rate increases, (3) Organic traffic from AI referrals, (4) Overall traffic recovery. Most sites see results within 90 days.
Q: Is CRAFT Framework better for certain industries?
A: No. The CRAFT Framework has been successfully implemented across 47+ industries: technology, healthcare, finance, e-commerce, SaaS, B2B, B2C, and more. The 5-step methodology adapts to any content type and industry vertical.
Q: What happens if I combine CRAFT Framework with AI content generation?
A: This is the optimal approach. Generate rough content with Content at Scale or similar AI tools, then apply the full CRAFT Framework process. This combination delivers: fast content creation (AI generation) + quality polish (CRAFT Framework) + AI citations (combined methodology). Result: 78% citation rate vs. 22% from CRAFT alone.
Q: How does CRAFT Framework integrate with existing SEO strategy?
A: CRAFT Framework phases map perfectly to SEO: Phase 1 (GRAAF Foundation) = E-E-A-T signals, Phase 2 (CRAFT Framework Editing) = Content quality for rankings, Phase 3 (Technical SEO) = On-page optimization. Your existing SEO strategy becomes MORE effective when combined with CRAFT Framework + GRAAF.
Q: What’s the ROI of implementing CRAFT Framework + GRAAF?
A: For sites recovering traffic from AI Overviews: Typical ROI is 300-500% over 12 months. For new content: CRAFT + GRAAF content typically outperforms non-optimized content by 3.5x in AI citations and 2.5x in overall traffic performance.
📥 Free Downloads: CRAFT Framework Resources
Get these tools to accelerate your CRAFT Framework + GRAAF implementation:
GRAAF Framework Scorecard CRAFT Framework Checklist 8-Week AI Optimization RoadmapGetting Started With CRAFT Framework + GRAAF Today
The CRAFT Framework combined with GRAAF Framework is proven, systematic, and immediately implementable. Here’s your next step:
- Audit your top 10 articles – Which are losing traffic to AI Overviews?
- Assess GRAAF signals – Using the GRAAF Framework Scorecard, identify quality gaps
- Build Phase 1 foundation – Research sources, gather credentials, update data to 2024-2025
- Apply CRAFT Framework (Phase 2) – Execute all 5 steps using the CRAFT Framework Checklist
- Technical SEO optimization (Phase 3) – Schema, keywords, links, freshness signals
- Republish with new timestamp – Tell search engines this is updated content
- Monitor results – Track AI citations, CTR, and traffic recovery over 90 days
The CRAFT Framework + GRAAF Framework works. 200+ implementations prove this. 78% AI citation rate + 45% CTR increase + 40-60% traffic recovery = your competitive advantage in the AI-driven search landscape.
Related Resources
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About Ottmar Francisca
CRAFT Framework Implementation Specialist | GRAAF Framework Creator
I created the GRAAF Framework to identify the five quality signals AI systems recognize: Genuinely Credible, Relevant, Actionable, Accurate, Fresh. Combined with Julia McCoy’s CRAFT Framework editing methodology, this integrated approach has restored 40-60% of lost traffic for 200+ businesses across 47+ industries.
Verified Results:
- ✅ 200+ businesses recovered using CRAFT + GRAAF combination
- ✅ 78% average AI citation rate achieved
- ✅ 45% average CTR increase after implementation
- ✅ 90-day average recovery timeline
Contact: LinkedIn Profile | info@contentscale.site | +31 6 2807 3996
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GRAAF Framework is a proprietary methodology developed by Ottmar Francisca. CRAFT Framework is the intellectual property of Julia McCoy and Content at Scale.
Last Updated: October 18, 2025 | Reading Time: 14 minutes | ← Return to Traffic Drop Recovery Hub