AI GEO

What is LLM Citation?

An LLM citation occurs when an AI-powered answer engine attributes part of its response to your website and links back to it as a source.

Definition

An LLM citation occurs when an AI-powered answer engine such as Perplexity, ChatGPT Search, or Google AI Overviews attributes part of its response to your website and links back to it as a source. Citations are the AI equivalent of a first-page ranking: they signal that the AI system considers your content credible, relevant, and authoritative enough to surface to users asking questions in your space.

Why It Matters for Small Businesses

A citation from an AI answer engine places your business directly in front of a user at the moment they are actively seeking information or a solution. For small businesses, earning consistent citations in your niche builds visibility, trust, and inbound traffic simultaneously.

Example

A family law attorney publishes a plain-language FAQ page answering questions like how does custody work in my state. When Perplexity answers that question, it cites the attorney FAQ as a source, linking back to their site and positioning them as a trusted authority to someone actively looking for legal help.

Related Terms

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)The overall strategy for earning LLM citations

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)The mechanism that pulls your content into AI answers

E-E-A-TThe credibility signals that make your content citation-worthy

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