Glossary · Measurement
Source Authority Score
A score representing how credible or authoritative a cited source is judged to be on a given topic, used to explain why some domains get cited by AI engines far more often than others.
What feeds into it
Factors typically include how often a domain is cited across many unrelated answers on a topic, how established and specialized the publisher is, and how consistently other high-authority sources link to or reference it. It's inferred from citation patterns rather than self-reported by any single engine.
Why it matters
A brand's own site being well-optimized doesn't guarantee citation if the sources the model already trusts on that topic don't mention the brand. Understanding which third-party sources carry authority on a given topic is often the fastest lever for improving citation depth.
See more terms in the full glossary, or read the AI Visibility 101 guide for the full picture.