Understanding Citation Details
Deep dive into the Citation Details modal - see exactly where your brand and competitors are being cited by AI platforms.
Last updated: January 9, 2025
What Are Citations?
When AI platforms recommend brands, they often reference sources to support their recommendations. These sources are citations.
Example AI Response:
"Based on reviews from G2 and Capterra, HubSpot is highly rated for small business CRM needs..."
In this example, G2 and Capterra are the citation sources.
Accessing Citation Details
From Your Brand Report
- Navigate to your brand report from the Dashboard
- Click on any metric card, or
- Click the "Citation Details" button
The Citation Details modal will open, showing comprehensive citation data.
Citation Details Modal Overview
Your Brand Tab
Shows where your brand is being cited:
- Source name: The website/platform citing you
- Citation count: How many times this source cites you
- Prompts: Which prompts triggered these citations
- AI platforms: Which AI platforms use this source
Competitor Tabs
Each competitor has a tab showing:
- Where they're being cited
- Which sources mention them (but not you)
- Their citation patterns vs yours
Understanding the Data
Citation Sources
Common high-value citation sources include:
| Source Type | Examples | Why AI Cites Them |
|---|---|---|
| Review sites | G2, Capterra, TrustRadius | User reviews and ratings |
| Publications | Forbes, TechCrunch | Industry authority |
| Comparison sites | Software Advice, GetApp | Detailed comparisons |
| Official docs | Company websites | Product information |
| Industry blogs | Niche publications | Expert perspectives |
Citation Frequency
More citations from a source = AI relies on it heavily for your industry.
Prioritize getting featured on sources that:
- Appear frequently in your citation data
- Are used for multiple relevant prompts
- Cite your competitors but not you
Citation vs Mention
- Citation: AI references a source (e.g., "According to G2...")
- Mention: Your brand appears in the AI response
You want your brand mentioned on sources that AI cites.
Using Citation Details Strategically
Identify Gap Sources
Sources where competitors are cited but you aren't:
- Open a competitor tab
- Look for sources with high citation counts
- Check if you're present on that source
- If not, that's a link building opportunity
Prioritize High-Impact Sources
Focus on sources that:
- Are cited frequently across multiple prompts
- Have high authority in your industry
- Are achievable targets for your brand
Track Citation Trends
Over time, monitor:
- Are you gaining citations from new sources?
- Are competitors losing citations?
- Which sources are becoming more/less important?
Generating Recommendations from Citations
Content Recommendations
From the Citation Details modal:
- Select a competitor card
- Click "Get On-Page Optimisation Plan"
- Wait for analysis (5-15 minutes)
- Review recommendations in Content Plan
The system analyzes competitor citations and suggests content to help you earn similar visibility.
Link Building Recommendations
From the Citation Details modal:
- Review competitor citation sources
- Identify sources you're not on
- Click "Get Link Building Plan"
- Review opportunities in Link Building Plan
Filtering Citations
By AI Platform
Filter to see citations from specific AI platforms:
- ChatGPT
- Claude
- Gemini
- Perplexity
Different platforms may cite different sources.
By Prompt
Filter to see citations for specific prompts or prompt categories.
By Date Range
Narrow down to recent citations or compare historical periods.
Citation Quality Indicators
High-Quality Citations
- From authoritative, well-known sources
- Referenced by multiple AI platforms
- Appear for commercial-intent prompts
- Include detailed brand information
Low-Quality Citations
- From obscure or low-authority sites
- Only cited occasionally
- Generic mentions without detail
Focus your efforts on earning high-quality citations.
Common Questions
Why don't I see any citations?
Possible reasons:
- Your brand is new and hasn't been indexed
- You're not present on sources AI cites
- Your prompts don't trigger citation-based responses
Why do competitors have more citations?
They likely:
- Have been featured on more review sites
- Have more press coverage
- Have stronger content that sources reference
How do I get cited by AI?
You don't get cited directly by AI. You get mentioned on sources (websites, review platforms) that AI then cites. Focus on earning mentions on authoritative sources.
Taking Action
After reviewing Citation Details:
- List gap sources - Where competitors appear but you don't
- Prioritize by impact - Focus on frequently-cited sources
- Create action plan - Outreach, content, PR to earn mentions
- Track progress - Monitor new citations over time