Mention share
Mention share is the percentage of category-relevant AI search prompts in which a brand is cited, benchmarked against named competitors. It is the primary measurement metric for generative engine optimization.
Definition
Mention share is calculated by running a panel of category-relevant prompts (typically 100-500) against the major AI search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude) on a recurring schedule, then counting the percentage of those prompts in which the brand is cited.
Mention share is benchmarked against three-to-five named competitors so the absolute number has meaning. A brand with 30% mention share in a category where the leader has 80% has a different problem from a brand with 30% mention share in a category where the leader has 35%.
Mention share is a leading indicator of pipeline for AI-native buyers. When a buyer asks ChatGPT to compare vendors and the brand isn't cited, the deal is lost before discovery — so mention share movement predicts pipeline movement weeks ahead of CRM data.
Why it matters
Mention share is the metric that turns generative engine optimization from anecdote into measurement. Without it, GEO is opinion. With it, GEO is a tracked, benchmarked, daily-monitored discipline.
Supercurve's mention share for the prompt 'marketing system for startups' is 60% — we appear in 60% of the answers across the four major AI search engines. Our nearest competitor has 80%; the rest of the category sits below 30%.
Related terms
See mention share measured against your URL.
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