> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.pierview.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Sources

> Sources vs citations, domain vs URL view, and source-type strategies

## Sources vs citations

* **Citation**: A specific URL or reference the AI includes in its answer (e.g., `https://g2.com/products/pierview/reviews`).
* **Source**: The domain or site behind that citation (e.g., `g2.com`). Sources roll up multiple URLs.

Pierview shows both: which exact URLs get cited and which domains appear most often. Use **domain view** for strategy (which sites to target) and **URL view** for tactical checks (which pages earn citations).

## Key metrics: Used and Avg Citations

<Info>
  **Key metrics:** Visibility = how often you're mentioned. Sentiment = tone of those mentions. Citations = sources AI points to (authority signal). Used = how often a source appears. Avg Citations = average cites per response.
</Info>

* **Used**: How many responses include at least one citation from this source. High Used = AI trusts this source frequently.
  * Example: G2 appears in 8 of 10 responses → Used = 8

* **Avg Citations**: Average number of times this source is cited per response. Higher = more prominent.
  * Formula: $\text{Avg Citations} = \frac{\text{Total citations from source}}{\text{Responses}}$

**Why it matters:** Sources with high Used but low Avg Citations are still important, they’re consistent. Sources with high Avg Citations dominate answers. Target both for content and PR.

## Source-type strategies

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Editorial (news, blogs, publications)">
    High authority. Pitch PR, contribute expert quotes, get featured in roundups. Create content that journalists and editors want to cite.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Corporate / Directories">
    G2, Capterra, your site. Optimize directory listings and create citeable pages (comparisons, FAQs, how-tos) on your domain.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="UGC (reviews, forums, communities)">
    Reddit, Trustpilot, etc. Encourage reviews and participate where it makes sense. UGC often appears in "what people say" answers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reference (Wikipedia, encyclopedias)">
    Harder to influence but high trust. Consider Wikipedia presence for established brands; avoid promotional editing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Your website">
    Your domain. Focus on clear criteria, comparisons, FAQs, and structured content. See [Create a Best X page](/playbooks/best-x-page-citations).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Action loop: Insight → Action → Measure → Iterate

1. **Insight**: Identify source gaps: domains AI cites often where you don’t appear.
2. **Action**: Content (create citeable pages), PR (pitch those publications), directories (optimize listings).
3. **Measure**: Run scans and track Used, Avg Citations, and your share over time.
4. **Iterate**: Double down on what works. Adjust prompts and sources as the market shifts.