Citation Rate is the frequency with which a brand, source, or entity is explicitly referenced or cited within AI-generated answers, summaries, or recommendations. In AI Search Optimization, it serves as a key performance indicator (KPI) that measures how often large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity surface a brand as an authoritative source. A higher citation rate reflects stronger entity clarity, schema precision, and factual alignment across a brand’s digital footprint. Tracking citation rate helps organizations quantify their AI visibility—revealing how effectively their content and structured data influence machine-generated narratives.