AI Citation

An AI citation occurs when an AI search engine like Perplexity references your website as a source for information in its response. Getting cited by AI is the new "ranking #1" because it means AI trusts your content enough to recommend it to users. **Why AI Citations Matter** AI citations are more valuable than traditional rankings because: - **Higher trust**: Users trust AI recommendations more than search results - **Higher conversion**: AI-referred traffic converts at 23x higher rates - **Better visibility**: Being cited puts your brand in front of users at the decision moment - **Compounding authority**: AI citations reinforce your authority, leading to more citations **Which AI Platforms Show Citations?** | Platform | Shows Citations | Citation Format | |----------|-----------------|-----------------| | Perplexity AI | Always | Numbered footnotes with clickable links | | Google AI Overviews | Usually | "Sources" section below summary | | ChatGPT (with browsing) | When enabled | Inline links in response | | Claude (with web access) | When enabled | Reference links | | Microsoft Copilot | Always | Superscript numbers with sources | **How to Get Cited by AI** 1. **Create authoritative content**: Cover topics comprehensively with original insights 2. **Build domain authority**: Get backlinks from respected publications 3. **Be factually accurate**: AI models verify information across sources 4. **Use clear structure**: Headers, lists, and direct answers make content easier to cite 5. **Keep content fresh**: Recently updated content is preferred 6. **Include citable data**: Statistics, research findings, and unique data get cited **Tracking Your AI Citations** Unlike traditional rankings, AI citations are harder to track because they happen in real-time conversations. Tools like FirstSearch monitor your brand's AI visibility across platforms and alert you when you appear in AI responses. **Citation vs Recommendation** Not all AI mentions are equal: - **Citation**: AI references your content as a source ("According to [your site]...") - **Recommendation**: AI suggests your product/service ("You might want to check out [your brand]...") - **Mention**: AI includes your brand in a list or comparison All three have value, but recommendations typically drive the most conversions.