What is Cited vs mentioned?
A linked source versus an unlinked name-drop.
An answer can cite you (your URL is in the sources, a clickable link and an endorsement), mention you (your brand is named in the prose but not linked), or leave you absent. They are genuinely different outcomes: cited sends traffic and authority; mentioned builds awareness but is easy to lose.
Tracking which of the three you got, per prompt and engine, reveals pages that are one fix away from a link. Full explainer: cited vs mentioned vs absent.
Why — and when — does it matter?
Separating these states distinguishes source authority from simple brand awareness and reveals answers where recognition has not yet produced a link.
How it works
Capture the full answer and source list.
Match canonical brand names and aliases.
Classify cited when a qualifying URL is present.
Classify mentioned when named without that link.
Classify absent when neither condition is met.
Worked example
An answer recommends Acme by name but cites a review site, so Acme is mentioned while the review site is cited. Counting both as Acme citations would inflate performance.
How to track and report it
Reporting rule: State the engine, prompt set, market, time window and denominator. A number without scope cannot be reproduced or compared.
Practical playbook
- Capture the full answer and source list.
- Match canonical brand names and aliases.
- Classify cited when a qualifying URL is present.
- Classify mentioned when named without that link.
- Classify absent when neither condition is met.
Common mistakes
- Counting competitor links as your citation
- Ignoring aliases
- Treating a mention as worthless
Questions people ask
What is Cited vs mentioned?
A linked source versus an unlinked name-drop. Separating these states distinguishes source authority from simple brand awareness and reveals answers where recognition has not yet produced a link.
How does Cited vs mentioned work?
Capture the full answer and source list. Match canonical brand names and aliases. Classify cited when a qualifying URL is present. Classify mentioned when named without that link. Classify absent when neither condition is met.
How do you measure Cited vs mentioned?
Cited, mentioned and absent distribution. Mention-to-citation conversion and winning domains. Mention-to-citation ratio = cited checks ÷ checks cited or mentioned × 100
What is a common mistake with Cited vs mentioned?
Counting competitor links as your citation. The scope and methodology should be stated before interpreting the result.