Why it matters
Being mentioned is only half the battle — being mentioned first is what earns attention and trust. Most people focus on the top one or two options an AI suggests. Strong visibility paired with weak placement usually means models know your brand but see competitors as the more authoritative answer.How to read it
Use placement to understand your authority in a category:- Leading — your brand is the primary recommendation for most queries.
- Mid-tier — you’re frequently mentioned, but often after a more dominant competitor.
- Trailing — you appear as an alternative or honorable mention rather than a primary pick.