AI Search Glossary

LLM Citations

LLM citations are the sources an AI language model references or links to when generating an answer — the businesses, websites, and reviews it pulls from and attributes information to.

When an AI engine answers a question, it often draws on specific sources and, in tools like Perplexity, links to them directly. These references are LLM citations.

Earning citations is the core goal of Generative Engine Optimization: a business that is consistently cited gets named in answers, sent referral traffic, and treated as authoritative by the model.

The most-cited sources for local aesthetic clinics tend to be Google Business Profiles, major review platforms (Yelp, Healthgrades, RealSelf), and clear, factual pages on the business's own website.

LLM Citations: FAQ

How do I get cited by ChatGPT or Perplexity?▼

Be a clear, consistent, well-reviewed source: complete your Google Business Profile, keep your name/address/phone identical across directories, accumulate genuine reviews, and publish factual pages that directly answer the questions buyers ask.

Do LLM citations send real traffic?▼

Increasingly, yes — engines like Perplexity link citations directly, and even where they do not, being named in an answer drives branded searches and direct visits.

Related terms

Answer EngineGenerative Engine Optimization (GEO)AI Search Visibility

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