GlossaryAI search
Citation in AI answers
Also called: AI citation
An AI citation is when an AI tool names or links your page as a source in its answer. Whether you get one varies from run to run.
An AI citation happens when a tool such as Google's AI Overviews, Perplexity or ChatGPT search names or links to your page as a source for part of its answer. Not every tool shows sources, and some show them more clearly than others.
Which pages get cited depends on the tool, the question and the moment. Evidence so far suggests that pages which already rank well, come from recognized sites and contain clear, quotable facts are more likely to be used. There's no formula, and anyone selling a guaranteed citation is overselling.
Practical point: make pages easy to quote. Put the key fact or definition in a short, plain sentence, name your sources, show who wrote it and keep it current. Then check by asking the tools your customers' real questions, and record whether you appear. Do it repeatedly, since single runs mislead.
Links you can check.
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