# AI Citation-Recommendation Gap 2026: methodology | AI SEO Perth > How the AI Citation-Recommendation Gap study was collected and analysed: the frozen 200-question set and its checksum, the two Google surfaces and their parameters, five daily rounds, definitions of a citation and a recommendation, extraction accuracy, the registered exclusions and the statistical methods. Source: https://aiseoperth.net.au/research/citation-recommendation-gap-2026/methodology/ --- Research ยท Methodology # AI Citation-Recommendation Gap 2026: methodology Everything needed to check the report or repeat the study. The protocol was registered, the question set frozen and checksummed, and the extraction rules fixed before the first of the five rounds ran. ## Definitions - **Recommendation:** one business put forward as a provider in one answer, as a business card, in a list of providers, or named in the text as a choice. A business recommended in three answers counts as three recommendations. - **Citation:** a top-level source link in the answer that resolves to the business's own website. Element-level links inside the answer are recorded but not counted as citations. - **Google-hosted reference:** a top-level source link to a Google place (a Maps listing). It is not a citation under the registered definition; counting it is a sensitivity analysis, matched to businesses by the name the reference displays. - **Commercial questions:** commercial discovery, recommendation, and comparison and trust together. Informational questions are the fourth type. - **Business-and-question combination:** one business recommended at least once for one question, the unit of the recurrence measure. ## The question set 200 questions across 20 Perth industries, 10 per industry, in four registered types. Two recommendation questions per industry for ten industries were reused verbatim from the September 2026 study, so the two studies can be compared on identical wording. The set was frozen on 3 November 2026, before any of the five rounds ran. Question types Type Questions Example Informational 60 What affects the monthly cost of SEO for a small business in WA? Recommendation 60 recommend a good SEO agency in Perth Commercial discovery 40 Which agencies offer local SEO services in Perth? Comparison and trust 40 What red flags should I look for before hiring an SEO agency in Perth? Frozen question file SHA-256: `4a83c6857dbfcd48befa5c8bbbcd05d41d821c561469bf13757966364db441d8` All 200 questions, by industry Accountant Id Type Question `crg26-accountant-CMP1` Comparison and trust What credentials and checks matter before hiring an accountant in Perth? `crg26-accountant-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Munro's a reputable accountant in Perth? `crg26-accountant-COM1` Commercial discovery What accounting firms in Perth handle tax and BAS for small businesses? `crg26-accountant-COM2` Commercial discovery Accountants in Perth's southern suburbs who work with sole traders and trades businesses. `crg26-accountant-INF1` Informational What does an accountant do for a small business in WA beyond tax returns? `crg26-accountant-INF2` Informational Does an accountant preparing tax returns in WA have to be a registered tax agent? `crg26-accountant-INF3` Informational Do bookkeepers and accountants do the same work? `crg26-accountant-REC1` Recommendation who is the best accountant in Perth `crg26-accountant-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good accountant in Perth `crg26-accountant-REC3` Recommendation I have overdue tax returns and need an accountant in Perth fast, who should I call? Air conditioning contractor Id Type Question `crg26-air_conditioning-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I compare air conditioning installation quotes in Perth fairly? `crg26-air_conditioning-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is TOTAL AIR CONDITIONING PERTH a reputable air conditioning installer in Perth? `crg26-air_conditioning-COM1` Commercial discovery Which companies install ducted air conditioning in Perth homes? `crg26-air_conditioning-COM2` Commercial discovery Looking for an air conditioning contractor in Perth for commercial office maintenance. `crg26-air_conditioning-INF1` Informational How does an installer size a split system air conditioner for a Perth home? `crg26-air_conditioning-INF2` Informational Does installing a split system air conditioner in Western Australia require a licence? `crg26-air_conditioning-INF3` Informational How often should a ducted air conditioner be serviced? `crg26-air_conditioning-REC1` Recommendation who is the best air conditioning installer in Perth `crg26-air_conditioning-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good air conditioning installer in Perth `crg26-air_conditioning-REC3` Recommendation Who can install a reverse cycle split system in my Perth unit before summer? Business consultant Id Type Question `crg26-business_consultant-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I check a Perth business consultant has real results and not just good marketing? `crg26-business_consultant-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Clayton Consulting WA a reputable business consultant in Perth? `crg26-business_consultant-COM1` Commercial discovery Which consulting firms in Perth help small businesses with strategy and growth? `crg26-business_consultant-COM2` Commercial discovery Business consultants in Perth who work with family-owned manufacturing companies. `crg26-business_consultant-INF1` Informational What happens in the first month when a Perth business hires a business consultant? `crg26-business_consultant-INF2` Informational What drives the fees of a business consultant in Western Australia? `crg26-business_consultant-INF3` Informational What is the difference between a business consultant and a business coach? `crg26-business_consultant-REC1` Recommendation who is the best business consultant in Perth `crg26-business_consultant-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good business consultant in Perth `crg26-business_consultant-REC3` Recommendation Who in Perth can help my cafe improve its cash flow on a limited budget? Commercial cleaning Id Type Question `crg26-commercial_cleaning-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should I look for in a commercial cleaning contract and insurance in Perth? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Southern Cross Cleaning a reputable commercial cleaning company in Perth? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-COM1` Commercial discovery What commercial cleaning companies service offices and warehouses in Perth? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-COM2` Commercial discovery Commercial cleaners in Perth who handle gyms, schools and childcare centres. `crg26-commercial_cleaning-INF1` Informational What is typically included in a commercial office clean in Perth? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-INF2` Informational What factors change the cost of commercial office cleaning in WA? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-INF3` Informational How often should an office be professionally cleaned? `crg26-commercial_cleaning-REC1` Recommendation who is the best commercial cleaning company in Perth `crg26-commercial_cleaning-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good commercial cleaning company in Perth `crg26-commercial_cleaning-REC3` Recommendation Which cleaning company in Perth can take over our office cleaning from next month? Commercial lawyer Id Type Question `crg26-commercial_lawyer-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I verify a Perth commercial lawyer holds a current practising certificate? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Rowe Bristol Lawyers a reputable commercial lawyer in Perth? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-COM1` Commercial discovery Which law firms in Perth advise on commercial contracts and business sales? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-COM2` Commercial discovery Commercial lawyers in Perth who act for resources and mining start-ups. `crg26-commercial_lawyer-INF1` Informational What can a commercial lawyer help a WA small business with besides contracts? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-INF2` Informational Do commercial lawyers in WA have to give a written costs disclosure before starting work? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-INF3` Informational What is a shareholders agreement and when is one needed? `crg26-commercial_lawyer-REC1` Recommendation who is the best commercial lawyer in Perth `crg26-commercial_lawyer-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good commercial lawyer in Perth `crg26-commercial_lawyer-REC3` Recommendation Who in Perth can review a commercial lease urgently before I sign on Friday? Conveyancer Id Type Question `crg26-conveyancer-CMP1` Comparison and trust What questions should I ask a conveyancer in Perth about fees before hiring them? `crg26-conveyancer-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Strategic Settlements a reputable conveyancer in Perth? `crg26-conveyancer-COM1` Commercial discovery Who offers residential conveyancing and settlement services in Perth? `crg26-conveyancer-COM2` Commercial discovery Conveyancers in Perth who handle off-the-plan apartment purchases for investors. `crg26-conveyancer-INF1` Informational What does a conveyancer actually do when you buy a house in WA? `crg26-conveyancer-INF2` Informational Do you need a conveyancer or settlement agent to buy a house in Western Australia? `crg26-conveyancer-INF3` Informational How long does conveyancing take once a contract of sale is signed? `crg26-conveyancer-REC1` Recommendation who is the best conveyancer in Perth `crg26-conveyancer-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good conveyancer in Perth `crg26-conveyancer-REC3` Recommendation Who can handle a house settlement in Perth on a tight 30 day deadline? Cybersecurity consultant Id Type Question `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-CMP1` Comparison and trust How can I tell whether a cybersecurity consultant in Perth is properly qualified? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Office Solutions IT a reputable cybersecurity consultant in Perth? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-COM1` Commercial discovery Who offers penetration testing and cybersecurity audits in Perth? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-COM2` Commercial discovery Looking for a cybersecurity consultant in Perth who understands mining and resources companies. `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-INF1` Informational What does a cybersecurity consultant do when they assess a small business in Perth? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-INF2` Informational When does a WA business have to report a data breach under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-INF3` Informational How does a penetration test differ from a vulnerability scan? `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-REC1` Recommendation who is the best cybersecurity consultant in Perth `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good cybersecurity consultant in Perth `crg26-cybersecurity_consultant-REC3` Recommendation We had a phishing incident at our Perth clinic and need cybersecurity help quickly. Digital marketing agency Id Type Question `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I compare two digital marketing agency proposals in Perth? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is The Start a reputable digital marketing agency in Perth? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-COM1` Commercial discovery What digital marketing agencies provide paid search and social media management in Perth? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-COM2` Commercial discovery Digital marketing agencies in Perth that work with hospitality and tourism businesses. `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-INF1` Informational What should a digital marketing agency in Perth actually deliver in the first 90 days? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-INF2` Informational What is the difference between agency fees and ad spend for a Perth business? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-INF3` Informational How do paid ads differ from organic marketing in cost and speed? `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-REC1` Recommendation who is the best digital marketing agency in Perth `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good digital marketing agency in Perth `crg26-digital_marketing_agency-REC3` Recommendation Which Perth digital marketing agency suits a startup with a small monthly budget? Electrician Id Type Question `crg26-electrician-CMP1` Comparison and trust What licence checks should I do before letting an electrician work on my Perth home? `crg26-electrician-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Westline Electricians Perth a reputable electrician in Perth? `crg26-electrician-COM1` Commercial discovery Who provides emergency electrical callouts in Perth? `crg26-electrician-COM2` Commercial discovery Looking for an electrician in Perth who installs EV chargers at home. `crg26-electrician-INF1` Informational What does an electrician do during a switchboard upgrade on an older Perth home? `crg26-electrician-INF2` Informational Do you need a licensed electrician to replace a power point in Western Australia? `crg26-electrician-INF3` Informational How long does it take to rewire a house? `crg26-electrician-REC1` Recommendation who is the best electrician in Perth `crg26-electrician-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good electrician in Perth `crg26-electrician-REC3` Recommendation Who can fix a power outage in one room of my Perth house tonight? Home renovation builder Id Type Question `crg26-home_renovation_builder-CMP1` Comparison and trust How can I compare two builder quotes for a Perth renovation properly? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-CMP2` Comparison and trust WOW Homes Perth reviews, are they any good? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-COM1` Commercial discovery Which builders in Perth do home extensions and full renovations? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-COM2` Commercial discovery Home renovation builders in Perth who specialise in heritage homes in the western suburbs. `crg26-home_renovation_builder-INF1` Informational What is involved in a home renovation project from planning to handover in Perth? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-INF2` Informational When does a builder need to be registered to do home renovations in Western Australia? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-INF3` Informational How long does a kitchen renovation usually take from start to finish? `crg26-home_renovation_builder-REC1` Recommendation who is the best home builder in Perth `crg26-home_renovation_builder-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good home builder in Perth `crg26-home_renovation_builder-REC3` Recommendation Who in Perth can renovate a 1970s bathroom and kitchen on a mid-range budget? IT managed services Id Type Question `crg26-it_managed_services-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should a managed IT services contract in WA include before I sign it? `crg26-it_managed_services-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Insource IT a reputable IT support company in Perth? `crg26-it_managed_services-COM1` Commercial discovery Who provides managed IT services for small offices in Perth? `crg26-it_managed_services-COM2` Commercial discovery Which IT support companies in Perth look after law firms and accounting practices? `crg26-it_managed_services-INF1` Informational What does a managed IT services provider actually include for a small business in Perth? `crg26-it_managed_services-INF2` Informational How is managed IT support usually priced for a WA business, per user or per device? `crg26-it_managed_services-INF3` Informational Why do small businesses move from break-fix IT support to managed services? `crg26-it_managed_services-REC1` Recommendation who is the best IT support company in Perth `crg26-it_managed_services-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good IT support company in Perth `crg26-it_managed_services-REC3` Recommendation My Perth office has 15 staff and no IT person, who should we call for support? Mortgage broker Id Type Question `crg26-mortgage_broker-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I compare mortgage brokers in Perth beyond the lowest interest rate? `crg26-mortgage_broker-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Orange Mortgage and Finance Brokers Perth a reputable mortgage broker in Perth? `crg26-mortgage_broker-COM1` Commercial discovery Which mortgage brokers in Perth offer refinancing and first home loans? `crg26-mortgage_broker-COM2` Commercial discovery Which Perth mortgage brokers work with first home buyers in the northern suburbs? `crg26-mortgage_broker-INF1` Informational How does a mortgage broker get paid when they arrange a home loan in WA? `crg26-mortgage_broker-INF2` Informational What documents do I need to give a Perth mortgage broker for a home loan application? `crg26-mortgage_broker-INF3` Informational How long does home loan pre-approval usually last? `crg26-mortgage_broker-REC1` Recommendation who is the best mortgage broker in Perth `crg26-mortgage_broker-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good mortgage broker in Perth `crg26-mortgage_broker-REC3` Recommendation Who can arrange a home loan in Perth for a self-employed borrower with variable income? Pest control Id Type Question `crg26-pest_control-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should a pest control quote and warranty cover in Perth? `crg26-pest_control-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Ecofriendly Pest Control Perth a reputable pest control company in Perth? `crg26-pest_control-COM1` Commercial discovery Who offers termite inspections and treatments in Perth? `crg26-pest_control-COM2` Commercial discovery Pest controllers in Perth who service restaurants and commercial kitchens. `crg26-pest_control-INF1` Informational How do pest controllers treat a termite infestation in a Perth home? `crg26-pest_control-INF2` Informational Does a pest controller need a licence to apply pesticides in Western Australia? `crg26-pest_control-INF3` Informational How long does pest control treatment take to work? `crg26-pest_control-REC1` Recommendation who is the best pest control in Perth `crg26-pest_control-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good pest control in Perth `crg26-pest_control-REC3` Recommendation Who can treat a cockroach infestation in my Perth rental before inspection? Plumber Id Type Question `crg26-plumber-CMP1` Comparison and trust How do I check a plumber's licence and insurance before hiring in Perth? `crg26-plumber-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is G.X.R Plumbing & Gas a reputable plumber in Perth? `crg26-plumber-COM1` Commercial discovery What plumbing companies in Perth offer 24 hour emergency repairs? `crg26-plumber-COM2` Commercial discovery Plumbers in Perth who service strata complexes and apartment buildings. `crg26-plumber-INF1` Informational What does a plumber do during a hot water system replacement in a Perth home? `crg26-plumber-INF2` Informational Which plumbing jobs legally need a licensed plumber in Western Australia? `crg26-plumber-INF3` Informational What causes a blocked drain, and how do plumbers clear it? `crg26-plumber-REC1` Recommendation who is the best plumber in Perth `crg26-plumber-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good plumber in Perth `crg26-plumber-REC3` Recommendation Who can send a plumber to my Perth home this morning for a burst pipe? Real estate agency Id Type Question `crg26-real_estate_agency-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should I check before signing an agency agreement with a Perth real estate agent? `crg26-real_estate_agency-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Inhabit Property a reputable real estate agent in Perth? `crg26-real_estate_agency-COM1` Commercial discovery What real estate agencies in Perth handle both sales and property management? `crg26-real_estate_agency-COM2` Commercial discovery Real estate agents in Perth who specialise in apartment sales near the river. `crg26-real_estate_agency-INF1` Informational How does selling a house through a real estate agent work in WA? `crg26-real_estate_agency-INF2` Informational Do real estate agents in Western Australia need to hold a licence or registration? `crg26-real_estate_agency-INF3` Informational How are real estate agent commissions usually calculated when selling a house? `crg26-real_estate_agency-REC1` Recommendation who is the best real estate agent in Perth `crg26-real_estate_agency-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good real estate agent in Perth `crg26-real_estate_agency-REC3` Recommendation Which agent should I call for an appraisal of my unit in Perth's inner suburbs? Recruitment agency Id Type Question `crg26-recruitment_agency-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should I ask a recruitment agency in Perth about guarantees and replacement terms? `crg26-recruitment_agency-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Hays a reputable recruitment agency in Perth? `crg26-recruitment_agency-COM1` Commercial discovery Which recruitment agencies in Perth place accounting and finance staff? `crg26-recruitment_agency-COM2` Commercial discovery Recruitment agencies in Perth that supply workers to FIFO mining and construction projects. `crg26-recruitment_agency-INF1` Informational How does a recruitment agency find and screen candidates for a Perth employer? `crg26-recruitment_agency-INF2` Informational What fees do recruitment agencies in WA usually charge employers for a permanent hire? `crg26-recruitment_agency-INF3` Informational When do employers use contract staff instead of permanent hires? `crg26-recruitment_agency-REC1` Recommendation who is the best recruitment agency in Perth `crg26-recruitment_agency-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good recruitment agency in Perth `crg26-recruitment_agency-REC3` Recommendation Which agency in Perth can fill a bookkeeper role within two weeks? Roofer Id Type Question `crg26-roofer-CMP1` Comparison and trust What are the warning signs of a dodgy roofing contractor in Perth? `crg26-roofer-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Roof Repairs Perth WA a reputable roofer in Perth? `crg26-roofer-COM1` Commercial discovery Which roofing companies in Perth do re-roofing and gutter replacement? `crg26-roofer-COM2` Commercial discovery Roofers in the Perth Hills who repair storm damage and replace metal roofs. `crg26-roofer-INF1` Informational How does a roofer repair a leaking tile roof on a Perth home? `crg26-roofer-INF2` Informational Does re-roofing a house in Western Australia need a building permit? `crg26-roofer-INF3` Informational How long does a tiled roof last before it needs replacing? `crg26-roofer-REC1` Recommendation who is the best roofer in Perth `crg26-roofer-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good roofer in Perth `crg26-roofer-REC3` Recommendation Which roofer in Perth can fix a roof leak after heavy rain this week? SEO agency Id Type Question `crg26-seo_agency-CMP1` Comparison and trust What red flags should I look for before hiring an SEO agency in Perth? `crg26-seo_agency-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Perth SEO Studio a reputable SEO agency in Perth? `crg26-seo_agency-COM1` Commercial discovery Which agencies offer local SEO services in Perth? `crg26-seo_agency-COM2` Commercial discovery Looking for an SEO agency in Perth that specialises in ecommerce stores. `crg26-seo_agency-INF1` Informational What does an SEO agency actually do for a small business in Perth each month? `crg26-seo_agency-INF2` Informational What affects the monthly cost of SEO for a small business in WA? `crg26-seo_agency-INF3` Informational How long does SEO usually take before a new website starts getting traffic? `crg26-seo_agency-REC1` Recommendation who is the best SEO agency in Perth `crg26-seo_agency-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good SEO agency in Perth `crg26-seo_agency-REC3` Recommendation Which SEO agency suits a Perth tradie business on a tight monthly budget? Solar installer Id Type Question `crg26-solar_installer-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should I check about a solar installer in Perth before I pay a deposit? `crg26-solar_installer-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is Perth Solar Force a reputable solar installer in Perth? `crg26-solar_installer-COM1` Commercial discovery Who installs rooftop solar and home batteries in Perth? `crg26-solar_installer-COM2` Commercial discovery Solar installers in Perth who specialise in battery storage for older homes. `crg26-solar_installer-INF1` Informational How does solar panel installation work on a typical Perth house roof? `crg26-solar_installer-INF2` Informational Do you need approval from the network operator to install rooftop solar in Perth? `crg26-solar_installer-INF3` Informational How many solar panels does an average house need? `crg26-solar_installer-REC1` Recommendation who is the best solar installer in Perth `crg26-solar_installer-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good solar installer in Perth `crg26-solar_installer-REC3` Recommendation Which solar installer in Perth suits a family with high electricity bills? Web design agency Id Type Question `crg26-web_design_agency-CMP1` Comparison and trust What should I check in a Perth web design agency's portfolio before signing? `crg26-web_design_agency-CMP2` Comparison and trust Is The Web Shop a reputable web design agency in Perth? `crg26-web_design_agency-COM1` Commercial discovery Which companies build custom websites for small businesses in Perth? `crg26-web_design_agency-COM2` Commercial discovery Which Perth web design agencies build websites for medical practices and clinics? `crg26-web_design_agency-INF1` Informational How long does it take a web design agency to build a business website in WA? `crg26-web_design_agency-INF2` Informational What makes one Perth web design quote cost much more than another? `crg26-web_design_agency-INF3` Informational What separates a template website from a fully custom website? `crg26-web_design_agency-REC1` Recommendation who is the best web design agency in Perth `crg26-web_design_agency-REC2` Recommendation recommend a good web design agency in Perth `crg26-web_design_agency-REC3` Recommendation I need a website redesigned in Perth before January, who can take it on? ## Surfaces and parameters All requests went through the DataForSEO API, logged out, with Perth sent as the location on every request. Endpoints and parameters Surface Endpoint Parameters Location Google AI Overview, plus organic top 10 and local pack `serp/google/organic/task_post` load\_async\_ai\_overview true, se\_domain google.com.au, depth 10, desktop, English Perth, Western Australia (1000676) Google AI Mode `serp/google/ai_mode/task_post` desktop, English Perth, Western Australia (1000676) Google Maps baseline, one per industry head term `serp/google/maps/task_post` depth 20 Perth, Western Australia (1000676) ## Collection rounds Five rounds on five consecutive days, each posted in the late afternoon Perth time with identical settings. Collection rounds Round Posted (Perth time) 1 9 November 2026, 16:11 to 16:13 2 10 November 2026, 16:12 to 16:13 3 11 November 2026, 16:12 to 16:15 4 12 November 2026, 16:12 to 16:14 5 13 November 2026, 16:12 to 16:14 2,100 requests (2,000 AI, 100 Maps), every one returned. AI Mode answered all 1,000 of its requests. An AI Overview appeared on 942 of 1,000 searches; the other 58 are recorded as absent, never as empty answers. ## Reading the answers Every answer was read by fixed rules, not by hand. A pilot on 3 November 2026 found the first rules reading section headings, trade words and source links as businesses; four rule changes fixed that before the question set was frozen, and the rules were frozen as version 1.6 before the analysis. We then hand-scored a sample of 195 answers drawn after the rules were frozen: 645 rows. Extraction accuracy Check Result Rows where the rules and the hand check agree 580 of 645, 89.9% When the rules say "recommended", it was 411 of 432, 95.1% Recommendations the rules found 411 of 483, 85.1% Business cards found 304 of 304 Recommendations outside business cards, found 107 of 179, 59.8% The rules miss some recommendations, mostly those written in prose, so the share of cited businesses that are also recommended is understated (by about 9 to 10 points in the sample) and recurrence is understated. A second check by an AI model (ChatGPT) agreed with the hand scoring on all 25 rows it was given, mostly easy ones. ## Matching Google-hosted references Each Google-hosted reference displays a business name and links to a Google place. We matched references to businesses by the displayed name: 1,937 of the 1,999 references matched a business. An audit decoded the place identifier in every reference link. In 9 of the 508 places in the data, the same place appears under the names of different businesses, and in at least one answer Google's own response pairs a business name with another business's place. The report therefore gives the Google-hosted sensitivity as a range: all name matches, then leaving out the 9 shared places, then also requiring the displayed name to equal the recommended name exactly. ## Registered exclusions and the two versions of each figure The registered protocol excludes from the analysis businesses that Google did not corroborate (no Google identifier, Maps or local-pack record, business card or Google-hosted reference anywhere in the collection), and one directory that is not a business. The first analysis script did not apply this rule; it was caught while checking the findings. The report gives the **registered** version, with the rule applied, and the **as-run** version without it beside it where they differ. The published dataset carries the extraction before this exclusion. ## Statistical approach - Shares carry bootstrap intervals over the 200 questions (2,000 resamples), because answers to the same question are not independent. - The informational-citation comparison uses each industry's Google Maps results as a frame that does not depend on the outcome, with a Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio pooled over industries and Holm-adjusted per-industry Fisher tests. - Review count, rating, Maps position, organic top 10 and local-pack presence are modelled with GEE logistic regression clustered by question, with mixed-effects and leave-one-industry-out checks. These models cover only businesses with a Google Maps or local-pack record. - Recurrence is counted against the rounds in which a question produced an answer, not against five. - Every result is an association. Nothing in the method supports a causal reading. ## Data and reproducing the figures The 2,000 AI observations are published as [CSV](https://aiseoperth.net.au/data/citation-recommendation-gap-2026.csv) and [JSON](https://aiseoperth.net.au/data/citation-recommendation-gap-2026.json), one row per request, with the question, the businesses named and recommended as written, and every top-level reference. The report's figures are produced by scripts that read the study database without changing it and give identical output on every run. The analysis scripts are public in the [study's code repository](https://github.com/InovArcAi/citation-recommendation-gap-2026), so every figure's calculation can be read line by line. The study database and the raw responses are not published, so the scripts cannot be rerun end to end without collecting new responses. ## Provenance and cost Published by AI SEO Perth Operated by Search Scope, an SEO agency in Perth; SEO agency is one of the 20 industries measured Researcher Dorian Menard Collection period 9 to 13 November 2026 Method version crg26 protocol, extractor v1.6 Requests 2,000 AI requests (1,942 answers) and 100 Google Maps captures Data cost USD 2.68 after DataForSEO's refunds; USD 2.74 charged at posting Published by Search Scope AI SEO Perth is published by Search Scope, a Perth SEO consultancy founded by Dorian Menard. Search Scope provides commercial SEO and AI search optimisation services; this website is maintained as its specialist Perth AI search research and reference publication. [Search Scope](https://searchscope.com.au/)