AI Citation
An AI citation is a reference an answer engine makes to a source it used to generate a response, often shown as a linked footnote or source card. Being cited is the AI-era equivalent of ranking, since it drives visibility and referral traffic.
Why It Matters
As users get answers directly from AI, citations are how a brand stays visible and earns clicks in a zero-click environment. Sources that are clear, authoritative, and well-structured are cited more often.
Common Mistake
Assuming SEO rankings guarantee AI citations. Answer engines weigh clarity, structure, and trust differently, so pages that rank can still be passed over as sources if they are hard to extract from.