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Sources vs citations

  • Citation — A specific URL or reference the AI includes in its answer (e.g., https://g2.com/products/pierview/reviews).
  • Source — The domain or site behind that citation (e.g., g2.com). Sources roll up multiple URLs.
Pierview shows both: which exact URLs get cited and which domains appear most often. Use domain view for strategy (which sites to target) and URL view for tactical checks (which pages earn citations).

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Key metrics: Used and Avg Citations

Key metrics: Visibility = how often you’re mentioned. Sentiment = tone of those mentions. Citations = sources AI points to (authority signal). Used = how often a source appears. Avg Citations = average cites per response.
  • Used — How many responses include at least one citation from this source. High Used = AI trusts this source frequently.
    • Example: G2 appears in 8 of 10 responses → Used = 8
  • Avg Citations — Average number of times this source is cited per response. Higher = more prominent.
    • Formula: Avg Citations=Total citations from sourceResponses\text{Avg Citations} = \frac{\text{Total citations from source}}{\text{Responses}}
Why it matters: Sources with high Used but low Avg Citations are still important — they’re consistent. Sources with high Avg Citations dominate answers. Target both for content and PR.

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Source-type strategies

High authority. Pitch PR, contribute expert quotes, get featured in roundups. Create content that journalists and editors want to cite.
G2, Capterra, your site. Optimize directory listings and create citeable pages (comparisons, FAQs, how-tos) on your domain.
Reddit, Trustpilot, etc. Encourage reviews and participate where it makes sense. UGC often appears in “what people say” answers.
Harder to influence but high trust. Consider Wikipedia presence for established brands; avoid promotional editing.
Your domain. Focus on clear criteria, comparisons, FAQs, and structured content. See Create a Best X page.

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Action loop: Insight → Action → Measure → Iterate

  1. Insight — Identify source gaps: domains AI cites often where you don’t appear.
  2. Action — Content (create citeable pages), PR (pitch those publications), directories (optimize listings).
  3. Measure — Run scans and track Used, Avg Citations, and your share over time.
  4. Iterate — Double down on what works. Adjust prompts and sources as the market shifts.