Top Source Types Cited In AI Answers
Discover which source types get cited most in AI search answers across 39 business categories. See how different domains perform at each buyer intent stage.
United States
ChatGPT| Source link type | All Search Queries%no. of links | Awareness Search QueriesQuestions from users who are problem-aware but not solution-aware.%no. of links | Consideration Search QueriesQuestions from users comparing different products or solutions.%no. of links | Decision Search QueriesQuestions from users ready to choose a vendor or brand.%no. of links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
*This study was conducted using On Target AI and is focused on the Unites States market.
Research foundation
Behind the numbers: uncovering real AI search queries.
1.
What types of search queries did we run?
We reverse-engineered actual user queries instead of guessing what people search for.
- Awareness search queries: users are problem-aware, but not solution-aware (e.g. "How can I track my workout performance?")
- Consideration search queries: users are weighing possible solutions (e.g. "Are smartwatches better at tracking workout performance than smart rings?")
- Decision search queries: users are choosing between vendors or brands (e.g. "What are the best smartwatches focused on tracking climbing performance?")
We ran hundreds of queries daily across 39 business categories, to capture AI answers and source links included in the AI answer at each intent stage.
2.
Where did we find these queries?
We used On Target AI to identify common ways people ask questions or describe pain points, and tied them back to search intent:
We analyzed the most engaged posts and comments to extract authentic user queries.
We looked at real product reviews and active social media communities to find common ways people describe their issues, or ask questions.
We reviewed survey responses, interview transcripts, and customer support logs from leading brands to uncover additional queries buyers actually use.
The result?
A dataset grounded in real-world conversations and customer intent - not assumptions or keyword tools.
3.
Which categories were included in the research?
Key findings based on user intent
Our biggest takeaways from this study
What makes brands show up in early-stage ("problem-aware") queries
Top 3 most cited website types
At the awareness stage, the most cited include Business (59%), Niche Publisher (16%), and Institutional (8%).
Most cited type of page
How-to guide is the most cited page type, making up 59% of all awareness stage citations.
What makes brands visible in mid-funnel ("solution comparison") queries
Top 3 most cited website types
At the consideration stage, the most cited include Business (64%), Niche Publisher (14%), and Publisher (7%).
Most cited type of page
Article is the most cited page type, making up 54% of all consideration stage citations.
What makes brands surface in purchase-ready ("brand vs. brand") queries
Top 3 most cited website types
At the decision stage, the most cited include Business (51%), Niche Publisher (23%), and Publisher (12%).
Most cited type of page
Listicle is the most cited page type, making up 87% of all decision stage citations.
