AI Search Glossary
Published: 12 February 2026
Last updated: 12 February 2026
Review cycle: Quarterly review for AI model changes.
AI Search Visibility
AI search visibility refers to whether a business is mentioned, cited or recommended within AI generated responses.
Citation
A citation occurs when an AI system directly references a source, often including a link.
Mention
A mention occurs when an AI system names a business without formally citing it.
Inclusion
Inclusion refers to being selected within an AI generated answer regardless of ranking.
Prompt
A prompt is the question or instruction given to an AI system.
Comparative Prompt
A prompt asking an AI system to compare multiple providers.
Navigational Prompt
A prompt designed to locate a specific brand or entity.
Problem Based Prompt
A prompt focused on solving a specific issue.
Entity Grounding
Entity grounding refers to how clearly a business is defined as a distinct entity.
Interpretive Stability
Interpretive stability refers to consistent AI classification over time.
Ranking Versus Inclusion
Ranking refers to search engine position. Inclusion refers to selection within AI answers.
