How do source citations differ from brand mentions?

Source citations include a clickable link to your website; brand mentions reference your brand name without necessarily linking. Citations drive direct traffic and SEO authority (similar to backlinks); mentions build brand awareness. Ideally, optimize for both: citations for traffic, mentions for consideration.

Which AI platforms provide source citations?

Perplexity (always), ChatGPT Search (when browsing), Google AI Overviews (sometimes), and SearchGPT (when launched). Claude and base ChatGPT typically don't cite sources. Focus citation optimization efforts on RAG-based platforms that show attribution.

Do source citations from AI count as backlinks?

No, AI citations don't pass PageRank like traditional backlinks since they're dynamic and ephemeral. However, they drive referral traffic and signal authority to search engines indirectly. Think of them as premium referral sources rather than traditional link equity.

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Source Citation

Reference to a URL or website as a source of information in an AI-generated response.

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What is Source Citation?

A Source Citation occurs when an LLM (particularly RAG systems like Perplexity or ChatGPT Search) references your website as a source of information, usually with a clickable link or footnote. Source citations can generate referral traffic and strengthen your domain's authority. They are particularly important for news, research, and educational content sites.

How Qwairy Makes This Actionable

Qwairy detects and tracks source citations in AI responses, particularly from RAG-based systems like Perplexity. Monitor which of your pages are being cited and by which providers.