Building a content site in 2025 is different than it was five years ago. The internet is flooded with AI-generated noise, and search engines have raised the bar. When we built Fortune Cookie, we didn't just want to make a fun app; we wanted to build a case study in modern SEO and performance.
Here is the blueprint of how we approached growth for this project.
1. E-E-A-T in the Age of AI
Google's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is more critical than ever. For a site about "fortune cookies," this might seem trivial, but it's not.
- Expertise: We researched the actual history (Japanese origins vs. Chinese adaptation) rather than repeating myths.
- Experience: We integrated real user feedback loops to understand what kind of "fortunes" actually resonate with people.
- Trust: We are transparent about using AI. We don't pretend a mystic is sitting in a server room. This transparency builds trust with users who are increasingly skeptical of "fake" content.
E-E-A-T Checklist for Entertainment Sites
Even for a "fun" site, credibility matters. Here's our checklist:
- Cite Sources: Link to historical records (like the 1983 mock trial).
- Author Bios: clearly state who wrote the content (even if it's an AI team, be honest).
- Update Frequency: Refresh content to reflect new trends (like AI astrology).
2. Optimizing for "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO)
Topic Clustering: The "Luck" Encyclopedia
Instead of random blog posts, we built a semantic web of content. We treat "Luck" as our core entity and branch out:
- History: Origins of fortune cookies.
- Psychology: Why we believe in luck.
- Technology: How AI generates luck.
This clustering helps search engines understand that we are an authority on the concept of luck, not just a cookie recipe site.
2. Optimizing for "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO)
With AI Overviews (AIOs) dominating search results, we optimized our content to be "machine-readable."
- Structured Data: We use extensive JSON-LD schema for our blog posts and the fortune generator itself. This helps search engines understand exactly what our page is.
- Direct Answers: Our content is structured with clear headings and direct answers to "Who," "What," and "When" questions. This increases the chance of being cited in an AI overview.
3. Next.js 15: Speed as a Feature
Performance is a ranking factor. We built this site on Next.js 15 to leverage the latest speed advantages:
- React Server Components (RSC): Most of our blog content is rendered entirely on the server. This means zero JavaScript is sent to the client for the text content, resulting in lightning-fast First Contentful Paint (FCP).
- INP (Interaction to Next Paint) Optimization: The "crack" animation of the cookie is critical. We optimized this interaction to ensure the visual feedback is under 200ms, making the app feel responsive and "alive."
- Island Architecture: We use a "static shell" for the blog but treat the fortune generator as a dynamic "island." This keeps the heavy JavaScript isolated to where it's needed, preserving the performance of the rest of the site.
4. Engagement is the New Bounce Rate
Search engines track how users interact with your site. If they bounce immediately, you rank lower. To keep users engaged, we added:
- Gamification: The "daily fortune" mechanic encourages return visits.
- Shareability: One-click sharing of fortunes to social media creates natural backlinks and social signals.
- Internal Linking: Our blog posts don't just exist in a vacuum; they link back to the generator, and the fortune generator suggests relevant articles (e.g., "Read about the history of your luck").
Conclusion
SEO in 2025 isn't about keyword stuffing; it's about building a technically superior product that offers genuine value. By combining the raw speed of Next.js 15 with a content strategy rooted in E-E-A-T, we've built a platform that is designed to last.
