Stage 3 of 6

What is 'Be Cited' in the AI Search Flywheel™?

Be Cited is stage 3 of the AI Search Flywheel™, where the business works to build the architecture that earns attribution.

By Dr. Radhakrishnan KG, creator of the AI Search Flywheel™ · Last reviewed 9 November 2026

Being the answer is not enough. The information must appear in sources and formats AI systems trust enough to cite.

What the work includes

Citation seeding
Original research and data
Digital PR
Relevant directories
Industry publications
Expert commentary
Podcasts
Professional associations
Review platforms
Community participation
Source-authority mapping
Consistent third-party mentions

The outcome

AI systems use the business or its content as supporting evidence inside generated answers.

How it connects

Previous stage

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At the centre

Machine Trust: Every stage either builds Machine Trust or converts it into a commercial outcome.

See all six stages of the AI Search Flywheel™

Frequently asked questions

What does Be Cited include?

In the AI Search Flywheel™, Be Cited includes: Citation seeding, Original research and data, Digital PR, Relevant directories, Industry publications, Expert commentary, Podcasts, Professional associations, Review platforms, Community participation, Source-authority mapping and Consistent third-party mentions.

What is the outcome of Be Cited?

AI systems use the business or its content as supporting evidence inside generated answers.

How is Be Cited different from Be Recommended?

Be Cited: Build the architecture that earns attribution. Be Recommended: Move from being a source to being a named choice.

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