The future of organic traffic isn’t just about being found—it’s about being quoted.
If ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini answers a user’s question with your content, you win attention and authority instantly. But how do you actually get your website cited?
This guide breaks it down step by step.
Why AI Citations Matter
- AI tools now influence billions of queries
- No-click searches are on the rise
- Being cited = trust, traffic, and branding
- Early adopters are already reaping the rewards
Step-by-Step: How to Get Cited by ChatGPT and AI Assistants
1. Write Answer-First Content
- Start each page/section with a 1–2 sentence concise answer to a relevant question
- Expand in natural language with examples, stats, or lists
- Use H2s/H3s as questions
2. Add Schema Markup
- Use
FAQPage,Article,HowTo,Review, andSpeakablewhere appropriate - Helps LLMs parse your structure and context
3. Cover Narrow, Specific Topics
- Instead of broad posts like “Best Skincare,” go niche:
- “What is niacinamide and how does it help oily skin?”
- “Is whey protein isolate safe for lactose intolerant people?”
4. Use Authoritative Formatting
- Include references, outbound links, expert quotes
- Use citations, bullets, and digestible formats
- This mimics the language of trusted sources, which models are trained to prefer
5. Get Backlinks to Your Answers
- Promote your best Q&A content via:
- Reddit (comment answers linking back)
- LinkedIn (share tips from your article)
- Quora or Twitter/X (link directly to the page)
6. Run “AI Mention” Checks
- Search your brand/question combos in:
- ChatGPT (Custom GPTs or Browse w/ Bing)
- Perplexity.ai
- Gemini (Google)
- Are they citing your site? If not—what site are they citing?
Bonus: Optimize for Perplexity and Poe.com
These tools directly link to citations—treat them like a hybrid of Google and Wikipedia.
Tips:
- Use clean titles and slugs (
/what-is-aeo) - Keep content clearly attributed to your brand or author
- Avoid fluff—be direct and useful
AEO Is the Strategy. Citations Are the Reward.
By following AEO best practices—answer-first formatting, schema, and clear language—you naturally increase your chances of being cited.
It’s not about chasing links. It’s about becoming the best answer.
Need Help Getting Cited?
We offer AEO audits + implementation to help you:
- Identify content gaps
- Add schema
- Reformat for AI-first visibility
