AI citations
An AI citation is a reference to a source attached to an assistant’s answer, often as a clickable website link. It identifies information the answer attributes to that source. A citation differs from a brand mention: an assistant can name a business without linking it, or cite a page without recommending the business that owns it.
Why it matters for a business
A cited directory may receive the click while the business named in the answer receives none. Owners should examine the linked page and whether it describes them accurately. Counting source links as recommendations exaggerates what the answer actually says.
Example and evidence
In the October 2026 AI Source Map, reddit.com appears as a frequently read site but has a lower cited share. The published page separates the two measures. This observation concerns source use in that dataset, not the accuracy of Reddit or the visibility of every business.
See the read and cited measures
What to do next
Record the named business and citation URL in separate fields. Open the cited page and locate the supporting passage. Check publication context and currency. Use citation opportunities only where you have relevant, factual information to contribute.
Common question
Related terms
Sources and method
Sources checked on 2026-10-09. Examples marked illustrative are not measured business results.
Check your own business in AI answers
Run the free scan to see which assistants name your business and which facts need attention. A scan is a sample, not a promise of future recommendations.