{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "DefinedTerm",
  "schema_version": "1.1",
  "content_item_id": "dictionary-ai-citation.en",
  "translation_group_id": "dictionary-ai-citation",
  "locale": "en",
  "type": "glossary",
  "section": "dictionary",
  "slug": "ai-citation",
  "title": "AI citation",
  "description": "A working distinction between a link, attribution, and a mention in an AI answer.",
  "direct_answer": "An AI citation is an observable source link or attribution in a particular AI answer. It is an answer-level sample outcome, not a promise that a page will always appear.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Meaning",
      "paragraphs": [
        "Here citation means a verifiable link, source card, or explicit attribution visible to the user. A bare brand name is not the same as a citation."
      ],
      "source_ids": [
        "google-ai-search",
        "gemini-sources",
        "claude-web-search"
      ]
    },
    {
      "heading": "Boundary",
      "paragraphs": [
        "Systems expose sources differently: Google AI features, Gemini, and Claude document their own interfaces. Behavior in one system must not be generalized to another."
      ],
      "source_ids": [
        "google-ai-search",
        "gemini-sources",
        "claude-web-search"
      ]
    },
    {
      "heading": "Example",
      "paragraphs": [
        "An answer may name a study without a URL, link to the publisher page, or provide several links. These outcomes should be coded separately."
      ]
    },
    {
      "heading": "Measurement",
      "paragraphs": [
        "Archive the prompt, mode, date, full answer, all links, and coding rule. Report both numerator and denominator for the panel."
      ]
    },
    {
      "heading": "Inference limit",
      "paragraphs": [
        "A citation shows a displayed link, but does not prove an effect on ranking, retrieval, or referral."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "published_at": "2026-09-11",
  "modified_at": "2026-09-11",
  "data_through": "2026-09-11",
  "next_review_at": "2026-10-11",
  "author": "GeoAeoAle Editorial",
  "origin": "editorial",
  "publisher": "GeoAeoAle Editorial",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "canonical_url": "https://geoaeoale.com/en/dictionary/ai-citation/",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim_id": "citation-observable",
      "text": "A citation should be counted from an archived answer separately from a mention.",
      "status": "inference",
      "confidence": "medium",
      "source_ids": [
        "google-ai-search",
        "gemini-sources"
      ],
      "publication_status": "public",
      "confidentiality": "public"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_id": "google-ai-search",
      "canonical_url": "https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ai-features",
      "title": "Top ways to ensure your content performs well in Google's AI experiences",
      "publisher": "Google Search Central",
      "source_type": "official",
      "locale": "en",
      "published_at": null,
      "checked_at": "2026-09-11",
      "sha256": "c6b267ed42c26ee63151c87d27de45d8882a5b7dc77c3d3dece510b21d63c300",
      "license": "Source terms apply",
      "visibility": "public"
    },
    {
      "source_id": "gemini-sources",
      "canonical_url": "https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/14143489?hl=en",
      "title": "Find and verify sources in Gemini Apps",
      "publisher": "Google Gemini Help",
      "source_type": "official",
      "locale": "en",
      "published_at": null,
      "checked_at": "2026-09-11",
      "sha256": "1eb891b72a08ad755d3deef0cab6d30244ad0b54d97f252cb701d7cb82cae353",
      "license": "Source terms apply",
      "visibility": "public"
    },
    {
      "source_id": "claude-web-search",
      "canonical_url": "https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/10684626-enabling-and-using-web-search",
      "title": "Enabling and using web search",
      "publisher": "Anthropic Support",
      "source_type": "official",
      "locale": "en",
      "published_at": null,
      "checked_at": "2026-09-11",
      "sha256": "ef0ca674ff3499133c011e53057332bf9acb644c2c4d5b31fe6b836b811c33e9",
      "license": "Source terms apply",
      "visibility": "public"
    }
  ],
  "related_slugs": [
    "source-attribution",
    "ai-visibility",
    "retrieval"
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "This is an editorial definition; platform interfaces and rules change. Repeat the test, inspect coding errors, and match each claim to primary evidence before publication."
  ],
  "corrections": []
}