An LLM citation is when an AI like ChatGPT names or links your site as a source in its answer.
When someone asks an AI a question, it may reference specific brands or pages. Being one of those named sources is the AI-era version of ranking first.
In short: Getting name-dropped by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Perplexity.
Where it helps
- New discovery. People find you inside AI answers, not just search.
- Trust by association. The AI effectively vouches for the source it names.
- Often invisible. It rarely shows up in your normal analytics.
How to earn them
- Be quotable. Give clear, self-contained answers an AI can lift.
- Build authority. Earn mentions and links across the web.
- Structure it. Clean formatting and schema make you easy to parse.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get cited by an LLM?
Give clear, self-contained answers an AI can lift, build authority through mentions and links, and structure pages cleanly with headings and schema.
Can I track LLM citations?
Yes, with a citation checker that tests your key questions across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity, since they rarely show in standard analytics.
Are LLM citations the same as backlinks?
No. A backlink is a link between sites; an LLM citation is being named or referenced inside an AI answer. Both signal trust, in different channels.