Mentions and citations
A mention means a name or concept appears in an answer. A citation means the observed answer identifies or links a source. Record them separately. Establishing a recommendation requires reading what the answer actually says.
Check the exact text and URL. A similar name may refer to another organisation. A link may lead to a general page rather than specific evidence. Preserve the observation so another person can understand what was checked.
Use of a page as a source
A source may support just one fact within the answer. Follow the link and compare the claim with the page’s text. Do not attribute conclusions to a source that it does not make.
If the link or original answer cannot be verified, state that limitation. With unavailable access, the case remains unknown. Summarise checked observations and show how much of the sample was accessible.
Different platforms, different observations
AI Overviews, AI Mode and ChatGPT Search are not one system. Their interfaces, context and presentation differ. An observation from one platform does not transfer automatically to another.
Record the platform separately from the data source. A tool may report a particular result feature without measuring all AI answers. If observations are combined, explain how they have been made comparable.
Why answers vary
Date, wording, market, language and prior context can affect an answer. A useful observation records these conditions. Repeated checks show whether presence persists.
Use a comparable protocol for observations over time. Keep checks separate when conditions differ. A trend needs comparable observations over time.
What can actually be measured?
Observed presence can be described within a defined sample and conditions. Any aggregate needs a clear denominator and classification rules. Unchecked cases remain unknown.
An overall AI visibility score is useful only when its formula, sources and limitations are available. Show mentions, source use and business actions separately.
From observation to decision
First check whether content is accessible, consistent and useful for the question. Then examine whether observed sources reveal missing information or unclear explanations. Check each hypothesis against the actual page.
Connect the analysis to actual goals. A citation without a relevant visit or action does not establish growth. Within BEO we assess AI visibility as part of broader organic discoverability and business context.
Sources
We read official public guidance alongside our work in SEO, BEO and AI Search. The sources explain the technical framework; the team’s experience helps us apply it to a business context.
- Google Search Central — AI features and your website
- Google Search Central — Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
- OpenAI — Overview of OpenAI crawlers
Corrections and updates
We keep Research resources up to date and correct factual errors when we find them. A material change to the sources, methodology or our interpretation receives a new update date.
For corrections or feedback: office@z-consult.bg
