An AI citation occurs when artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Google AI Overviews mention, reference, or recommend your brand, product, or content in response to user queries.
Unlike traditional search where users click through to your website, AI citations often provide information directly in the AI's response. This makes getting cited crucial for brand visibility in the AI era.
AI citations can take several forms:
- Direct brand mentions when answering relevant queries
- Product recommendations in comparison responses
- Source attribution when AI pulls information from your content
- Expert citations when AI references your thought leadership
Tracking AI citations helps you understand how AI systems perceive your brand authority and whether you're being recommended to users asking relevant questions.