Citation (AI citation)
When an AI system attributes or links to your content in its answer; the AI equivalent of a search result position.
Definition
A citation in the AI context is when an AI system (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, etc.) uses your content to answer a question and attributes it — by naming your site, including a link, or both. It is the GEO analogue of ranking in traditional search: your content is surfaced in the answer. Citations can be explicit (named source, clickable link) or implicit (content shapes the answer without attribution). Monitoring citations measures your GEO effectiveness.
Relevance to GEO
The goal of GEO is to increase the likelihood and quality of citations. Strong structured data, E-E-A-T signals, backlinks, and agent-friendly content improve the chance your site is cited when users ask relevant questions.