> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://wiki.platelunchcollective.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Attributed Citation

> An attributed citation is a direct reference to a source URL or brand name within an AI-generated response — explicitly naming the source and often providing...

*Core concept* · *Citation & Visibility Measurement*

## Definition

An attributed citation is a direct reference to a source URL or brand name within an AI-generated response — explicitly naming the source and often providing a link. Attributed citations are the most visible and trackable form of AI brand mention.

## Why It Matters for AI Search

Attributed citations are the gold standard of [AI search visibility](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/ai-seo) — the brand is not just mentioned but explicitly credited. Platforms like Perplexity show attributed citations as numbered footnotes; Google AI Overviews display source links. Tracking attributed citation rates across platforms provides the clearest measure of AI search performance.

## Related Terms

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Brand citation rate" href="/ai-search-glossary/brand-citation-rate" />

  <Card title="Dark citation" href="/ai-search-glossary/dark-citation" />

  <Card title="Unlinked brand mention" href="/ai-search-glossary/unlinked-brand-mention" />

  <Card title="AI traffic" href="/ai-search-glossary/ai-traffic" />

  <Card title="Mention-to-citation ratio" href="/ai-search-glossary/mention-to-citation-ratio" />
</CardGroup>

## Relevant Plate Lunch Collective Services

[AI Search Visibility Assessment](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/context-map)  [Context Map](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/context-map)