Most websites stopped publishing glossaries years ago. We didn’t — on purpose. In the world of AI search, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), clarity wins. AI systems prefer structured definitions, consistent entities, and precise language. So we define the terms first — and let AI follow.

AI Search

AI Search refers to search experiences where AI systems generate direct answers by synthesizing information from multiple sources, rather than returning a list of links.

Answer Engines

Answer Engines are AI-powered systems (e.g., ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity) that generate responses by interpreting intent, evaluating sources, and summarizing information.

Authority is the level of credibility and expertise AI systems assign to a brand or source based on consistency, reputation, and external validation.

AI Visibility is the extent to which a brand appears, is mentioned, cited, or recommended in AI-generated answers.

AI Mention

AI Mention is an instance where a brand or entity is referenced in an AI-generated response without an explicit citation.

AI Citation

AI Citation is an instance where an AI-generated response explicitly references a brand or source as the origin of information.

AI Share of Voice

AI Share of Voice measures how often a brand appears in AI answers relative to competitors across a defined set of queries.

AI Referral

AI Referral is traffic or user engagement driven from AI interfaces to a website or brand-owned property.

Zero-Click Search

Zero-Click Search describes scenarios where users receive answers directly within search or AI interfaces without visiting external websites.

Start with an Audit to establish a clear authority baseline