Framework Retrieved-Cited-Trusted

Framework Retrieved-Cited-Trusted is a three-stage AI Search visibility model that forms the foundation of entire AI citation optimization strategy. Phase 1 (Retrieved): content gets pulled from the index into AI's context. This requires presence in Google/Bing indexes, basic technical optimization (crawlability, SSR, fast TTFB).

Phase 2 (Cited): content gets cited in AI's response with a link or brand name. This requires BLUF in the first 50 words, facts and numerical data, low Cost of Retrieval. Phase 3 (Trusted): brand becomes the default, trusted source. This requires earned media (70–95% of AI citations), consistent Web Entity across multiple platforms, and strong E-E-A-T. Each phase requires different actions: Retrieved = technical, Cited = content structure, Trusted = building entity authority across the entire web.

Domain Authority is muscle strength, AI Alignment is technique — in AI Search technique beats strength, because the correlation between Google position and AI citation is only 0.65.