Who gets cited by AI? Why them and not you? In the citation economy, visibility is earned by being a verifiable source of truth.
Traditional search rewarded clicks. The citation economy rewards being referenced. Brands cited in AI answers see 35% more organic clicks and 91% more paid clicks than those ignored (Goodie/HiGoodie 2026). Most businesses get zero citations.
| Source Type | Strongest in | Action for You |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia/Wikidata | All models | Claim or create structured entry |
| Perplexity, ChatGPT | Engage genuinely in subreddits | |
| G2/Capterra | ChatGPT, Gemini | Secure profiles + positive reviews |
| Industry directories | Claude, Gemini | List on niche/professional sites |
| Owned site (with schema) | Lower share (~5–10%) | Back with off-site consistency |
Takeaway: The AI is not looking for the "best" business; it is looking for the most verifiable one. Verifiable consistency across high-trust directories is the single biggest lever. Distribution wins: presence in the right places multiplies your citation surface area.