# Citations vs mentions

> The difference between being mentioned in an AI answer and being cited as a source, how GetIntel counts each, and why you need both.

Source: https://getintel.ai/docs/academy/metrics/citations-vs-mentions/

A **mention** is your brand's name appearing in an answer. A **citation** is the answer linking to a page as a source — see the [mentioned vs cited difference](/blog/mentioned-vs-cited-by-ai-difference/) in more depth. They are separate signals: an answer can mention you without citing you, or cite your page without naming you as a recommendation.

## How GetIntel counts each

| | Mention | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | Your brand is named in the answer text | A page appears in the answer's sources |
| Drives | Answer states, visibility, share of voice, position | Sources, Your pages, citation share |
| Home measure | Visibility | **Citations**: the share of answers that link to your own site |

## Why you need both

- **Mentioned but not cited:** AI knows you but builds its answer from other people's pages. Your reputation is in someone else's hands. Getting your own pages cited gives you more control over what is said.
- **Cited but not mentioned:** AI uses your page as background but doesn't name you as an option. The page is useful but doesn't make your product the answer.

## Where to find it

- **Citations**: Home (Citations tab), [Sources](/docs/features/sources/), and [Your pages](/docs/features/your-pages/).
- **Mentions**: every visibility, share of voice and position number.