> ## 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.

# Post-hoc Citation

> Post-hoc citation is the behavior where the model selects its answer from parametric knowledge first and then retrieves URLs to support a decision already made.

*Core concept* · *AI Search Infrastructure*

## Definition

Post-hoc citation is the behavior, documented for ChatGPT, where the model selects its answer from parametric knowledge first and then retrieves URLs to support a decision already made. The citations are justification, not the source of the answer.

## Why It Matters for AI Search

Post-hoc citation means that for queries where the model has a high-confidence parametric answer, [retrieval optimization](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/citation-ready-content) affects which URLs appear in citations — not what the model says. The answer was already determined. This is why content optimization alone cannot override wrong parametric representations for established brands, and why being well-indexed is not the same as being able to change the answer.

## Related Terms

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Parametric inertia" href="/ai-search-glossary/parametric-inertia" />

  <Card title="Parametric knowledge" href="/ai-search-glossary/parametric-knowledge" />

  <Card title="Retrieval trigger" href="/ai-search-glossary/retrieval-trigger" />

  <Card title="Knowledge conflict" href="/ai-search-glossary/knowledge-conflict" />

  <Card title="Training corpus" href="/ai-search-glossary/training-corpus" />
</CardGroup>

## Relevant Plate Lunch Collective Services

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