Citation
A source an AI answer links to or credits. For buyers who ask AI, it is the new page one.
In plain English
Most AI search tools show where their answer came from. Being cited means the AI read your page and trusted it enough to credit it. Citations send visits, but they also tell the reader your business is a trusted source.
In practice
Ask ChatGPT for the best roofer in Greenville and the three sites it links under its answer are its citations.
CitationvsBrand mention
A citation credits or links your page as a source. A mention just names your business in the answer.
Related terms
Citations & visibilityStarter Brand mention When an AI answer names your business, with or without a link back to your site. In practice, and related terms → How AI reads the webPro Grounding When an AI checks live sources before answering, instead of relying only on what it learned in training. In practice, and related terms → Measuring resultsStarter Share of voice How often you are named in AI answers for your category, compared with your competitors. In practice, and related terms →