With which sources generative AI references when generating responses directly connected to corporate brand visibility, the results of the nation's first industry-level AI citation periodic survey have been released. Analysis showed that while SNS accounts for more than one-third of total citations, the source structure varies significantly by industry, presenting data that industry-specific customized responses are necessary rather than a single strategy.

 

Handsout Global's AI Research Institute released the 'AIBA AI Citation Index Report' August 2026 edition on the 20th.

 

 

Classifying 37,923 citations from the August period by type, SNS ranked first with 34.6% (13,120 cases).

 

Industry disparities were significant.

 

 

Comparing July to August changes, SNS share increased 6.4 percentage points from 28.2% to 34.6%, and corporate own sources grew 7.8 percentage points from 11.0% to 18.8%, recording the largest increase.

 

While corporate own sources accounted for 18.8%, over 80% of citations still occur outside the company domain, and the research institute explained that optimization of only company websites has limitations in expanding brand exposure in AI responses.

 

Kong In-hee, Director of Handsout Global's AI Research Institute, stated, "Brands must start from the citation structure of the industry to which they belong rather than a pan-industry common strategy and redesign target channels," and "Since citation structure is fluid with each edition, it is important to track changes through monthly monitoring."

 

Handsout Global and Delight Communication plan to continue periodic surveys collecting and analyzing AI responses with identical questions at the beginning of each month, with representative data to be disclosed through their homepage and detailed analytical insights to be provided as Naver Premium Content.