Progress with Links

Why links still matter for AI answers

Generative engines lean heavily on trusted sources when composing responses. Strong internal linking helps models understand your canonical content, while reputable external links provide the evidence AI systems need to cite you confidently.

Map the signals

• Review the External Sources table to see which third-party pages AI models rely on for your category (reviews, forums, news).
• Use the Link Influence view to compare where competitors earn citations and where you have gaps.
• Tag links by intent (how-to, comparison, pricing) to understand which formats drive the most citations.

Prioritize the fixes

• Strengthen canonicals: Ensure your best answers are linked from navigation, hubs, and relevant product pages.
• Close off-brand links: When AI cites outdated or off-brand sources, update or replace them with current, authoritative pages.
• Earn proof points: Pitch updated reviews, publish customer stories, and refresh partner listings to give AI fresher evidence.
• Redirect wisely: Preserve link equity with 301s when consolidating content; avoid chains that confuse crawlers and models.

Measure progress with Mentionary

• Track citation changes after link updates using the Before/After timeline.
• Watch Generative Share of Voice by intent to confirm links are shifting answers toward your brand.
• Export link-influenced citations to your BI tool to correlate with organic traffic and pipeline.