New research reveals drastically different citation patterns between major AI platforms. Understand how ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity source their information differently and what it means for AI visibility.
The latest research from Profound reveals drastically different citation patterns between various AI platforms, highlighting the complexity of AI visibility optimization. Our analysis of 30 million citations across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity from August 2024 to June 2025 uncovers distinct patterns in how each platform sources information.
Key Findings
ChatGPT Citation Patterns
ChatGPT shows a clear preference for Wikipedia, which accounts for nearly half (47.9%) of its top citations. The complete distribution includes:
Table: ChatGPT Top 10 Most-Cited Sources (Aug 2024 - June 2025)
Key Implications
- Wikipedia's dominance suggests the importance of maintaining accurate Wikipedia entries
- Diverse mix of traditional media (Reuters, NYPost) and tech-focused sites (TechRadar, G2)
- Notable presence of business and finance sources (Forbes, NerdWallet)
Google AI Overviews Citation Patterns
Google AI Overviews shows a more balanced distribution across platforms:
Table: Google AI Overviews Top 10 Most-Cited Sources (Aug 2024 - June 2025)
Key Implications
- Strong integration with Google's ecosystem (YouTube)
- Higher emphasis on professional content (LinkedIn, Gartner)
- More weight on user-generated content platforms (Reddit, Quora)
Perplexity Citation Patterns
Perplexity shows a unique concentration in community platforms:
Table: Perplexity Top 10 Most-Cited Sources (Aug 2024 - June 2025)
Key Implications
- Extreme Reddit concentration suggests heavy reliance on community discussions
- Strong presence of review platforms (Yelp, TripAdvisor, G2)
- Balanced mix of professional and consumer-focused sources
Strategic Implications for AI Visibility
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Platform-Specific Strategy Required
- Each AI platform requires a different approach to content optimization
- Wikipedia dominance in ChatGPT requires different tactics than Reddit-heavy platforms
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Content Distribution Strategy
- Diversify content across platforms based on AI platform preferences
- Focus on high-quality contributions to key platforms like Reddit and Wikipedia
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Community Engagement
- Active participation in Reddit communities is crucial for visibility
- Professional network engagement (LinkedIn) matters more for Google AI
TLD Citation Patterns
Analyzing citations by Top Level Domain (TLD) reveals interesting patterns in how AI platforms source information across different types of websites:
Table: ChatGPT Citations by Top Level Domain (TLD)
Key Insights
- Commercial (.com) domains dominate with over 80% of citations
- Non-profit (.org) sites are the second most cited at 11.29%
- Country-specific domains (.uk, .au, .br, .ca) collectively represent about 3.5% of citations
- Tech-focused TLDs (.io, .ai) show notable presence despite being newer domains
Conclusion
The distinct citation patterns across AI platforms reveal several key insights for AI visibility optimization:
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Platform-Specific Strategies: Each AI platform has unique source preferences - from ChatGPT's reliance on Wikipedia to Perplexity's focus on community content. Brands need to tailor their approach based on which platforms matter most to their audience.
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Domain Authority: With .com domains representing over 80% of citations and .org sites being the second most cited, having an authoritative domain presence is crucial. However, newer TLDs like .ai are gaining traction, suggesting opportunities for tech-focused brands.
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Geographic Reach: The presence of various country-specific domains (.uk, .au, .br, .ca) in the top citations indicates the global nature of AI information sourcing, though they collectively represent only 3.5% of citations.
A one-size-fits-all approach to AI visibility is unlikely to succeed given these dramatic differences in source preferences and domain distributions. Success requires a nuanced strategy that considers both platform-specific content preferences and domain authority.
Want to understand and improve your brand's AI visibility? Get a demo of Profound and receive a custom report analyzing your brand's presence across AI platforms.
