Summary
Cited domains are website domains listed in the citation section of an AI response.
Definition
When AI engines such as Google AI Overviews or Perplexity AI Search generate answers, they often include clickable citations. These point to the original websites where the information came from. The domains behind those citations are known as Cited Domains.
Cited Domains are visible to users and act as a signal of credibility. If your brand’s website appears as a cited domain, it not only shapes the AI’s narrative but also provides direct exposure and potential traffic. This differs from Inline Domains, which influence answers invisibly without formal attribution.
For marketers, tracking Cited Domains reveals which sources AI engines consider most trustworthy and authoritative in your category. It also highlights competitor websites that repeatedly earn attribution, helping you understand both your relative Brand Visibility and the broader content ecosystem shaping AI search.
Use cases
Measuring how often your site is explicitly cited in AI search results.
Identifying competitors that dominate as Cited Domains in your industry.
Comparing Cited Sources with Inline Sources to assess influence balance.
Targeting SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies toward citation opportunities.
Evaluating content gaps that prevent your brand from being chosen as a cited reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cited Domains drive traffic back to websites?
Yes, because many AI engines link directly to cited sources, users can click through for more details.
Why do Cited Domains matter for marketers?
They provide both visibility and validation, signaling to users that your brand is a trusted authority.
How are Cited Domains different from Inline Domains?
Cited Domains are visible as formal attributions or links, while Inline Domains shape AI text without direct credit.
What makes a domain more likely to be cited in AI search?
High-quality, authoritative, and well-structured content that aligns with user queries increases the likelihood of citation.