Advanced content gap analysis for the AI search era
Fan-Out MCP
Advanced content gap analysis for the AI search era
Analyze your content to discover what user queries it covers (and misses) using the same techniques AI search engines use internally.
Quick Navigation
Why this matters | What it does | Installation | How to use | Methodology | Features deep-dive | Parameters | Troubleshooting
Why This Matters
The problem: Traditional SEO focused on keywords and backlinks. AI search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini) don't work that way. They evaluate whether your content can answer user queries - across dozens of query variations you've probably never considered.
The solution: This MCP uses research-backed techniques from Google and academic papers to:
- Decompose complex topics into the actual questions users ask
- Generate query variations using Google's patented fan-out methodology
- Assess whether your content can answer each query (with evidence)
- Identify specific gaps and provide actionable recommendations
The result: Content optimized for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) - answering the queries AI search engines need to cite your work.
What It Does
Three Analysis Modes
1. Content-Only Analysis (Default) Analyzes what questions your content naturally answers based on structure and topics.
Analyze https://your-site.com/article with standard depth
2. Hybrid Analysis (Content + Keyword Targeting) Combines content analysis with keyword-specific query variants. This is the power mode.
Analyze https://your-site.com/article with target_keyword "direct drive racing wheels"
Generates 15-25 query variants by default across 5 types:
- Equivalent - "sim racing wheels", "racing simulator wheels"
- Specification - "Fanatec DD Pro review", "8Nm direct drive wheel"
- Follow-Up - "how to calibrate racing wheel", "mounting options"
- Comparison - "Fanatec vs Thrustmaster", "belt drive vs direct drive"
- Clarification - "what is direct drive technology", "how does FFB work"
3. Keyword-Only Analysis Focus purely on keyword variants, skip content inference (50% faster).
Analyze https://your-site.com/article with target_keyword "sim racing" and fan_out_only true
The Output
Interactive visual dashboard showing:
- Coverage score (0-100) with specific gaps identified
- Query-by-query assessment with evidence quotes
- Prioritized recommendations (what to add/improve)
- Technical metrics (quality scores, performance data)
Plus detailed markdown report with all data.
Installation
Prerequisites
- Claude Desktop (or any MCP-compatible client)
- Anthropic API key
- Node.js 18+ (for local build only)
Quick Setup (Recommended)
The fastest way to get started - no cloning or building required:
- Add to
claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"fanout": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@houtini/fanout-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "sk-ant-api03-your-key-here"
}
}
}
}
Config file locations:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
- Restart Claude Desktop
Claude Code (CLI)
Claude Code uses a different registration mechanism -- it doesn't read claude_desktop_config.json. Use claude mcp add instead:
claude mcp add -e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... -s user fanout -- npx -y @houtini/fanout-mcp@latest
Verify with:
claude mcp get fanout
You should see Status: Connected.
- Verify installation:
Tools (1)
AnalyzeAnalyzes content to identify covered and missing user queries using keyword fan-out techniques.Environment Variables
ANTHROPIC_API_KEYrequiredAPI key for Anthropic servicesConfiguration
{"mcpServers": {"fanout": {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@houtini/fanout-mcp@latest"], "env": {"ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "sk-ant-api03-your-key-here"}}}}