If you want AI citations, you need the internet to cite you.
That does not happen because you publish another blog post titled ‘Top 10 Tips’… It happens when you publish something other people can reuse: data, benchmarks, tools, templates, or frameworks.
What is a linkable asset?
A linkable asset as a piece of content purposely crafted with the intention of attracting links, usually from other websites in your niche. They note that linkable assets are rarely commercial pages because people do not naturally link to product pages.
In other words: linkable assets are not ‘content marketing’. They are reference material.
Why benchmark reports are the best linkable asset for GEO?
A benchmark report is a linkable asset with built-in PR value because it gives writers something they can quote:
- A number (benchmark).
- A comparison (industry A vs industry B).
- A trend (what changed this year).
- A takeaway (what to do about it).
Benchmark reports also create clean co-citation signals because other sources mention your brand in the same breath as the topic you benchmarked.
The AI angle: sources with citations, quotes, and stats get treated like sources
The GEO research paper (Generative Engine Optimization) reports that including citations, quotations from relevant sources, and statistics can significantly boost source visibility in generative engine responses. That is a polite academic way of saying: models like citeable work.
See Also: As Seen In + Press Kit: Build an AI‑Ready Proof Hub
How to build a benchmark report people actually cite?
Step 1: Choose a narrow question with high buying intent
Avoid massive ‘state of the industry’ reports unless you have a real dataset. Instead, pick one question your ICP argues about in meetings.
- Example: Median cost per qualified lead for B2B SaaS by channel.
- Example: Average time to first response for inbound leads by company size.
- Example: AI visibility: which content formats get cited most in generative answers (sampled across X prompts).
Step 2: Make the methodology boring and obvious
Citeability is built on trust. Trust is built on method. Include sample size, time window, inclusion criteria, and how you cleaned the data. Make it easy for someone to defend quoting your number.
Step 3: Write the ‘key findings’ page first
Journalists and AI systems both prefer short, structured takeaways. Create a landing page that includes:
- 5 to 10 key stats in plain language.
- Charts that can be screenshot without losing meaning.
- A short methodology section (with a link to the full methodology).
- 2 to 4 strong quotes from a spokesperson interpreting the data.
Step 4: Package it for press (and busy editors)
Do not make journalists hunt. Provide:
- A one-page summary (PDF) with the top charts and stats.
- A press kit section with logos and spokesperson headshots.
- Pre-written pull quotes and ‘if you cite this, cite it like this’ guidance.
Step 5: Distribute like a PR campaign, not a blog launch
Outreach targets:
- Industry publications and newsletters.
- Analysts and creators who already cover the topic.
- Podcasts and webinar hosts in your niche.
- Communities and associations where practitioners share resources.
The goal is not ‘going viral’. The goal is becoming the default source other people quote when they need a number.
See Also: Spokesperson Authority in the AI Era
A benchmark report outline you can reuse
- Title: The 2026 [topic] Benchmarks (based on [dataset description]).
- Executive summary: 5 key takeaways (1 page).
- Methodology: sample, timeframe, definitions, limitations.
- Findings: charts and commentary (organized by segment).
- What it means: practical interpretation for operators.
- Recommendations: what to do next.
- Appendix: definitions, calculations, and notes.
Common mistakes that kill citations
- No methodology: people will not cite numbers they cannot defend.
- Too broad: you become generic and forgettable.
- No charts: stats without visuals travel poorly.
- No press packaging: you increase friction and lose coverage.
- No update plan: stale benchmarks stop getting cited.
A strong benchmark report does not just earn links. It earns the right to be referenced. That is the currency of AI citations.
References
[1] Ahrefs. 6 Linkable Asset Types (And EXACTLY How to Earn Links With Them). November 5, 2020.
[2] GEO: Generative Engine Optimization. arXiv:2311.09735 (PDF). 2023.
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