What is AI citation checking?
AI citation checking measures whether large language models and answer engines mention your brand when buyers ask high-intent questions — comparisons, alternatives, best-for, and pricing queries. Unlike traditional SEO rank tracking, citation checking focuses on inclusion inside synthesized AI answers, not blue-link positions on a search results page.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) teams treat citations as the new conversion surface. When ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews recommend a vendor by name, that recommendation carries implicit trust — similar to a peer referral. If your brand is absent, a competitor captures the narrative before the prospect ever visits your site.
How CitePilot's free checker works
Enter your domain and one money prompt — the question your best customers ask before they buy. CitePilot scans on-site GEO signals (schema, answer capsules, entity clarity) and, when API keys are configured, runs live probes against major AI surfaces. You get a per-platform verdict: cited, not cited, or inferred from technical signals.
A single-prompt check is a diagnostic snapshot. Most B2B teams track ten to twenty-five prompts weekly because citation rates vary by intent, platform, and competitor activity. That is why Pilot includes ongoing monitoring, citation trend alerts, and proof reports that tie remediation to measurable lift.
What to do when you are not cited
Start with extractability: FAQ schema aligned to your prompt wording, a concise answer capsule above the fold, and comparison content that models can quote without distortion. Then strengthen off-site consensus — reviews, community answers, and analyst mentions that AI engines already trust for your category.
Ready for the full picture? Run a free 10-prompt audit or upgrade to Pilot to monitor twenty-five prompts every week with citation trend alerts.