External Consensus

External Consensus measures what the internet says about your brand outside of your own website. AI assistants cross-reference multiple sources to decide if a brand is worth recommending.

What goes into this

• Expert citations — whether industry experts, bloggers, or review sites mention your brand
• Citation sentiment — whether those mentions are positive or negative
• Web mention volume — how frequently your brand is discussed online

Why it matters

AI doesn't just look at your website — it considers what other sources say about you. If trusted review sites, industry blogs, and forums consistently mention your brand positively, AI treats you as a safer recommendation. Think of it as your brand's reputation score across the internet.

What you can do

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on third-party sites. Build relationships with industry bloggers and reviewers. Participate in relevant online communities. The goal is to create a consistent trail of positive mentions that AI can find and verify.