RankSimply methodology
What an AI visibility score measures
RankSimply's AI visibility score is the percentage of completed prompt-and-platform checks in which your business was cited. It shows measured visibility inside a defined monitoring set—not an estimate of every question customers might ask.
The formula
Cited checks divided by completed checks
AI visibility score = completed prompt-and-platform checks where the business was cited ÷ all completed prompt-and-platform checks × 100.
For example, if a business was cited in 12 of 40 completed checks, its AI visibility score for that selected prompt, platform, location and date range is 30%.
If no checks have completed, RankSimply shows no score. It does not convert missing evidence into a zero or manufacture an estimate.
Measurement boundary
What counts—and what does not
Included
- — The latest completed result for each selected prompt and platform.
- — A positive result when the monitored business or domain was identified in the captured answer.
- — Only the platforms, markets, prompts and dates included in the active report.
Not implied
- — A forecast of all AI searches or customer demand.
- — A guarantee that every user will receive the same generated answer.
- — Proof that one optimization caused a recommendation change.
Read the score in context
One score cannot explain the recommendation gap
RankSimply keeps supporting diagnostics separate so teams can see whether a business merely appeared, received a recommendation, earned a strong position, or was supported by useful sources.
| Diagnostic | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation share | Completed checks where the business received a direct or ranked recommendation. | Shows whether visibility is translating into an actual recommendation. |
| Average citation position | The average observed position when the business appeared in a ranked answer. | Separates being present from appearing prominently. |
| Source coverage | The cited domains and pages that reference or support the business. | Shows which owned and third-party evidence AI systems are retrieving. |
| Prompt coverage | The share of tracked customer intents with at least one completed platform check. | Prevents a small sample from being mistaken for complete market coverage. |
Compare matched measurements
Use the same prompt families, platforms and markets when measuring change over time. Adding a new platform or replacing commercial prompts with easier branded prompts changes the denominator and breaks the comparison.
Record the changes made between measurement periods, then evaluate the score alongside recommendation share, citations, local rankings, GBP evidence and competitor movement. Correlation can guide the next action; it should not be presented as guaranteed causation.
Methodology questions
AI visibility score FAQ
What is an AI visibility score?
RankSimply's AI visibility score is the percentage of completed prompt-and-platform checks in which the monitored business was cited. It is a measured rate, not an estimate of all possible AI searches.
Does an AI visibility score measure every customer search?
No. It measures the defined prompts, platforms, locations and time period in the selected report. The result becomes more representative as the monitored prompt portfolio covers more real customer intents.
Is being cited the same as being recommended?
No. A business can be mentioned or cited without receiving a direct recommendation. RankSimply reports recommendation share separately so a citation does not automatically become a recommendation claim.
Why can an AI visibility score change?
AI answers can vary as models, retrieved sources, competitors and public business evidence change. Use matched prompts and platforms when comparing one period with another.
Measure your current AI visibility before choosing the fix.
Run one live recommendation check, see the businesses named in the answer, and use the result as the beginning of a repeatable baseline.