We often assume that getting a link in an AI overview means people are seeing our brand. It turns out that might not always be the case.

AI models often use content but do not explicitly name the creator. I analyzed Semrush data and found that around 62% of brand citations fly under the radar. The domain gets a source link, but the brand name is left out of the actual answer text.

Only about 13 percent of the appearances I looked at converted into both a citation and a mention.

Being cited generally means an AI is drawing on your content, while being mentioned means it is actually naming you. They are two distinct outcomes. Optimizing for a link might not automatically get your name in front of users, so it's worth considering both angles as you plan your content.

Full breakdown in today's Growth Memo.