Citation rate is the percentage of eligible measured AI answers that include at least one source citation to a brand's domain. Calculate it as answers citing the brand's domain divided by eligible measured answers, multiplied by 100. Count each answer once in the numerator, even if it links to several pages on that domain.
Practical relevance
Define the measurement scope before comparing rates: the prompt set, AI engines, retrieval modes, markets, date range, repetitions, and treatment of subdomains. Eligible answers are successfully returned answers from the citation-capable modes included in that scope. Include answers with no citations in the denominator; exclude failed requests and modes outside the scope. A mention without a link to the brand's domain does not qualify.
For illustration, if 12 of 40 eligible answers cite example.com, the citation rate is 30%. This is a measurement example, not a description of Diploria's current reporting.
Citation share uses a different denominator: cited source links, not answers. A brand can be cited in many answers but account for a small share of all their source links. Keep the counting rules consistent and report the sample size alongside either measure.