AEO Glossary
AI citations are the source attributions shown in AI-generated answers from platforms like Perplexity AI, Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, and Claude. When an AI model draws information from a specific URL, it may show the source as a clickable citation - either inline, in a sidebar, or as a footnote.
A single AI citation in a high-traffic query can drive hundreds of qualified visitors to your site. Unlike organic search rankings where you compete for position among ten results, AI citations often surface just 2-4 sources - making the stakes much higher. Brands optimized for AEO earn citations consistently; unoptimized brands are invisible regardless of their traditional SEO rankings.
To earn AI citations: (1) write clear, factual, well-structured content that directly answers specific questions; (2) add FAQPage and Article schema so AI models know your content is Q&A formatted; (3) ensure PerplexityBot and GPTBot can crawl your site; (4) get cited on authoritative sites your content links to or is linked from; (5) write in a cite-able style - specific facts, statistics, and direct answers, not vague marketing prose.
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