Citation
A link an AI engine attaches to its answer to show which web page supports a statement, usually shown inline or in a sources list.
A citation is the engine showing its work. When an assistant searches the web before answering, it typically links the pages it relied on. ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude and Google's AI features all display sources, though each formats them differently. Answers written from memory alone usually carry no citations at all.
Mentions vs. citations
A mention is your brand's name in the answer text. A citation is a link to a page. They're independent. You can be recommended by name while the engine cites a review site, or have your blog cited in an answer that recommends a competitor. Track both.
Why citations matter
- Traffic. Citations are the clickable part of an answer.
- Framing. Cited sources shape what the answer claims. If the source is your page, your facts and your framing win.
- Diagnosis. The domains an engine cites for your category show you where to earn coverage.
For engine-specific tactics, see our guide on how to get cited by ChatGPT.
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