What sources do AI assistants cite most?

Every AI recommendation traces back to sources. If you want to be named, the fastest path isn't writing more blog posts — it's being referenced on the handful of sources the models already trust for your category. Those sources are surprisingly consistent, and surprisingly winnable.

Test your own AI visibility (free)

Checks ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude & more. No signup. ~15 seconds.

FAQ

Which sources come up over and over?Across categories, the recurring pattern is: your own site (if models can crawl and resolve it), the dominant review platform for your vertical, a small set of directories and industry associations, editorial 'best of [category] in [city]' roundups, community discussion (Reddit and forums), and news or trade press. The mix shifts by vertical — RealSelf matters for a med spa, Avvo for a lawyer, G2 for B2B software — but the shape is the same.

Why do the same few sources keep winning?Because models weight consistency and corroboration. A business referenced the same way across several independent trusted sources is one a model can name with confidence. A business that appears once, or inconsistently, gets left out of the answer even if it's genuinely the best option.

How do I find the sources that matter for MY category?That's exactly what a scan does. Run a free Cited scan on your domain and you'll see which sources the engines are actually pulling from for your category and city, who's being cited instead of you, and where the gaps are — free, no signup.

See if AI recommends you — free

Most businesses score under 40/100 and have no idea. Find your score in 15 seconds, then fix it.

Run my free scan