# How to Increase Brand Visibility with AI Citations A step-by-step guide to getting your brand referenced in ChatGPT and Gemini responses. - **Source:** [Moz Blog](https://moz.com/blog) - **Published:** 2026-07-17 - **Topic:** [Marketing](https://brifing.si/c/marketing) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1c822dde-b066-4034-b6d8-0ec8f5f0f9f9 ## What is an AI Citation? AI citations are webpages referenced in AI-generated answers on platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini. These citations appear in the 'Sources' section and help your brand reach target audiences. With 2.5 billion daily searches on ChatGPT alone, being cited is crucial for engaging the 18-44 demographic that frequently starts buyer journeys through AI. ## Why Appear in AI Responses? 49% of users begin purchase journeys through AI platforms, asking product comparison or industry research questions. Unlike traditional SEO, AI citation success depends on contextual brand mentions rather than backlinks. This strategy proves particularly effective for B2B companies looking to establish authority in niche markets. ## Identifying Target Queries Conduct prompt research similar to SEO keyword analysis. Interview sales teams and analyze Quora/Reddit discussions to identify customer questions. For instance, CRM providers should target prompts like 'best CRM for small businesses.' Transform these queries into natural language prompts that align with how users interact with AI. ## Analyzing Citation Sources Input 10-20 target prompts into ChatGPT and document all referenced URLs in a spreadsheet. Identify frequently cited publications and recurring topics. 'Best X product' roundup articles often dominate citations. This analysis forms the foundation for your proactive outreach strategy to relevant journalists and editors. ## Outreach to Publishers Contact authors of frequently cited articles to secure brand mentions. Focus on contextual references rather than traditional link building. SaaS companies, for example, can offer expert commentary in competitor comparison articles. How AI positions your brand indirectly influences future Google rankings as search evolves. ## Proactive Content Creation Model your content after AI-favored formats like '2024 Trends' reports. Create annual 'Top X Tools' lists that both drive organic traffic and increase citation likelihood. Brands recognized by AI today will lead in tomorrow's search landscape as conversational platforms redefine online discovery. ## Sources covering this story - https://moz.com/blog/how-to-build-ai-citations-whiteboard-friday — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._