As large language models (LLMs) become integral to how we search for information, understanding what content these AI systems prioritize is critical for content creators and marketers. Evertune Research recently delved into this space, analyzing 25,000 unique URLs cited by six leading LLMs between March and April 2026 to uncover patterns in their citation behavior.
Listicles Dominate LLM Citations
The study’s most striking finding? Listicles account for 50% of all unique URLs cited by LLMs, and they drive 63% of nearly 400 million total citations across the six models. Each model showed a strong preference for listicles, with percentages ranging from 40% (Copilot, the lowest) to 65% (Gemini, the highest).
Not all listicles are equal, though. Ranking-focused listicles make up 71% to 86% of cited listicle content, followed by non-ranking listicles. Institutional ranking listicles, meanwhile, represent just 1.4% to 4.7% of the pool.
When it comes to sources, enterprise, media, and affiliate marketing domains lead the pack. Notably, Forbes ranks among the top three listicle sources for every model analyzed, highlighting its consistent appeal to LLMs.
Why do listicles resonate so well with AI systems? Their structured format offers three key advantages:
- Theme focus: Listicles zero in on specific topics, making it easy for LLMs to extract targeted information.
- Clear structure: Their organized layout simplifies parsing and content retrieval.
- Direct comparisons: Many listicles provide side-by-side product or service comparisons, a high-value output for LLM responses.
Content creators should proceed with caution, however. Google has signaled it will crack down on promotional listicles, and self-aggrandizing rankings may violate U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines.
Cross-Model URL Overlap: Google’s LLMs Share the Highest Common Citations
While the six models theoretically could cite 36,000 distinct URLs, the study found only 25,000 unique URLs, indicating significant cross-model overlap in citation preferences.
Unsurprisingly, Google’s suite of LLMs—Gemini, Google AI Mode, and Google AI Overview—show the highest overlap. Google AI Mode and Google AI Overview share over 50% of their highly cited URLs, suggesting aligned training data and retrieval mechanisms.
Other models also show varying degrees of overlap with Google’s systems: Perplexity shares over 20% of URLs with Google AI Mode and Overview, ChatGPT shares over 15%, while Copilot’s overlap hovers between 4% and 6%. These differences stem from factors like model training mechanisms, website crawl permissions, and traditional SEO performance.
Page Structure Traits of Highly Cited URLs
Beyond content type, the study identified key structural traits of URLs frequently cited by LLMs. Most highly cited pages fall within the 1000–2000 word range, with an average sentence length of 18 words. They also feature abundant links and structured headings (H2, H3) to organize content.
Model-specific preferences emerge here too. Copilot favors concise content, citing pages with an average of 964 words and 24 paragraphs. In contrast, Gemini leans toward more detailed, lengthy content, with an average citation of 1977 words across 53 paragraphs.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Best Practices
Armed with these insights, content creators can optimize their work for LLM visibility with these actionable GEO strategies:
- Create or contribute to structured, targeted listicles, avoiding low-quality or self-promotional content that risks penalties.
- Leverage traditional SEO: Pages that perform well in human search results often rank highly in LLM citations, particularly for Google’s models.
- Tailor page structure to your target model: Keep content concise for Copilot, and detailed for Gemini. As a general rule, aim for a maximum of 2000 words, include plenty of links and structured headings, and add images or lists where relevant.
As LLMs continue to shape the future of search, aligning content with their citation preferences is no longer optional—it’s essential. By focusing on structured, high-quality listicles, optimizing for traditional SEO, and tailoring content to specific models, creators can boost their visibility in AI-driven search results and stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.
