A citation is when an AI answer references your website as a source, usually with a link, even if your brand name is not explicitly stated. Citations drive direct referral traffic and carry strong weight in AI visibility.
[ Related terms ]
AI share of voice
Your slice of brand mentions in AI answers.
AI visibility
How often and prominently AI names your brand.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Optimizing a brand to be the answer AI assistants give.
E-E-A-T
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Getting cited inside AI-generated answers.
Hallucination
When AI states something false or invented.
[ FAQ ]
Why does this term matter for AI search?+
AI assistants decide which brands to name using concepts like this one. Understanding it helps you see where your visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI is won or lost.
Is this the same as SEO?+
It's related but not the same. Classic SEO targets ranking in Google's link results, while AI search visibility (AEO / GEO) targets being cited inside the answer the AI generates.
How do I check where my brand stands on this?+
Run a free visibility check and we'll show whether AI currently names you or your competitors, then we handle the work to fix it.
Want to be the answer AI gives?
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