As AI-powered search and answer engines reshape how people discover information online, PR teams face a new challenge: earning media hits is no longer enough. To stay relevant, brands need to appear in the places AI turns to most often when generating answers by intentionally feeding into the sources AI answer engines trust.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce the AI Reference Leader Badge—a powerful new identifier available directly in the Agility platform to help users target the outlets shaping AI-driven discovery.
What is the AI Reference Leader Badge?
The AI Reference Leader Badge highlights media outlets identified as key reference sources for AI training on a given subject. These badges indicate which outlets AI engines consider authoritative when answering queries.
In a world where search results are becoming AI-written rather than link-based, these outlets have a growing influence on how your audience (and potential customers) encounter your brand. Ultimately, they shape perception and reputation.
Why AI References Matter
AI-generated answers, along with 0-click searches, are quickly becoming the norm across platforms like Google, Bing, and ChatGPT. These systems don’t simply surface what’s popular, instead they prioritize information from sources they deem credible, relevant, and authoritative on a given topic.
AI engines are designed to favor depth over noise, drawing from media outlets with a proven track record of expertise and influence. According to new research from Hard Numbers, nearly two-thirds (61%) of the content large language models (LLMs) use to shape brand reputation comes from trusted editorial media.
And while this shift challenges the status quo in building visibility and shaping reputation, it’s a brilliant opportunity for public relations to play a key role in dominating AI search. If your media coverage appears in those sources valued by AI answer engines, your brand is more likely to surface in AI answers tied to your key topics, and be represented in a way that aligns with your goals. In this new era, this is the equivalent of being covered by a top-tier outlet.
Shape AI Visibility with Smarter Media Outreach
The AI Reference Leader Badge gives Agility users a tangible edge, empowering them to:
- Focus outreach on media that move the needle in modern search.
- Strengthen brand-topic alignment to stay relevant in AI responses.
- Build campaigns designed for where visibility is actually happening.
This is just one of the ways we’re evolving to support AI-era PR strategies.
Where You’ll Find Top AI References in the Platform
Agility users will now see the AI Reference Leader Badge in two key places within our Media Relations module:
- Media Outlet and Contact Profiles: Quickly identify outlets, and their associated media contacts, driving visibility in generative AI tools and search engines.
- Media List Filters: To prioritize outreach to outlets that hold greater weight in AI-powered search engines.
This makes it easier than ever to tailor your pitch lists around the media voices that matter most—not just to people, but to machines.
To explore the badge in action, please speak to one of our platform experts today for a first-hand look.
