TL;DR
- Bing has launched an AI Performance report inside Bing Webmaster Tools
- It shows how often your content is cited in AI-generated answers, not just ranked in search
- Key metrics include citations, pages cited, and "grounding queries."
- This marks a shift from SEO to Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
- The biggest gap: no click or traffic data yet
- Platforms like PingAura help bridge that gap by turning visibility into actionable growth
The Shift: From Rankings to References
For years, search performance was simple. You tracked rankings, clicks, and traffic. Now, with AI-powered search experiences like Microsoft Copilot and Bing AI summaries, users increasingly get answers without clicking. Your content may still be used, but you never see the visit.
That's exactly what Bing's new AI Performance report addresses. Instead of asking "Where do I rank?", the new question is, "Is my content being used to answer questions?"
This is the foundation of Answer Engine Optimisation.
What Is Bing's AI Performance Report?
The AI Performance report is a new dashboard inside Bing Webmaster Tools that tracks how your content appears in AI-generated answers. It covers visibility across:
- Bing AI search summaries
- Microsoft Copilot
- Partner AI experiences
Instead of clicks and impressions, it focuses on citations.
What You Can Actually See
Here are the core metrics, explained simply:
- Total Citations — How many times has your content been used as a source in AI answers?
- Cited Pages — Which pages are being picked by AI systems?
- Grounding Queries — The types of questions AI uses to find your content.
- Trends Over Time — How your visibility in AI answers is changing over time.
Why This Matters
This report is important for one reason: It measures influence, not traffic.
In AI search:
- Your content can power thousands of answers
- But generate very few clicks
Real-world data already shows this gap. Some sites saw tens of thousands of AI citations but only a handful of visits.
This means:
- Visibility ≠ traffic
- Traffic ≠ value
- Measurement needs to evolve
The Big Limitation: No Click Data
Right now, the report does not show clicks or conversions.
So while you can see:
- Where you are cited
- How often you appear
You cannot see:
- Whether users actually visit your site
- Whether those citations drive revenue
This is the biggest gap in the current ecosystem.
What This Means for AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation)
The AI Performance report signals a fundamental shift:
Old SEO
- Optimise for rankings
- Measure clicks
- Focus on SERPs
New AEO
- Optimise for answers
- Measure citations
- Focus on AI retrieval
The key question becomes: "How do I structure content so AI systems choose it?"
Insights from the report can help you:
- Identify which content formats get cited
- Understand what questions you are answering
- Spot gaps where you should be visible but are not
Where PingAura Fits In
PingAura fills the gap this report exposes.
Bing gives you visibility data. PingAura turns that into growth outcomes.
From Visibility to Attribution
Bing shows citations. PingAura connects those citations to:
- Traffic signals
- User journeys
- Revenue impact
From Insights to Optimisation
Bing shows what is happening. PingAura helps you:
- Restructure content for AI retrieval
- Improve answer formats
- Increase citation likelihood across platforms
Beyond Bing
Bing is just one ecosystem. PingAura tracks performance across:
- AI assistants
- Search engines
- Emerging answer platforms
Monetisation Layer
Even if clicks drop, PingAura helps brands:
- Capture demand inside AI journeys
- Convert visibility into measurable ROI
How to Use the AI Performance Report Today
If you are just getting started, focus on three things:
Double Down on What Works
Find pages that are already being cited and expand them.
Fix Underperforming Content
If indexed pages are not cited, improve:
- Structure
- Clarity
- Direct answers
Map Queries to Content
Use grounding queries to understand:
- What users are really asking
- How AI interprets intent
FAQs
What is the AI Performance report in Bing? It is a dashboard that shows how often your content is cited in AI-generated answers across Bing and Copilot.
Does it show traffic or clicks? No. It only shows citations and visibility, not user visits or conversions.
What are "grounding queries"? They are the types of questions AI systems use to find and select your content.
Is this replacing SEO? Not replacing, but expanding it. SEO still matters, but AEO is becoming critical.
Why are citations important? Because AI systems often answer users directly, citations determine whether your content influences those answers.
How do I improve AI visibility? Focus on:
- Clear, structured answers
- Strong topical authority
- Content that directly answers questions
Conclusion
Bing's AI Performance report is the first real step toward transparency in AI search. It shows us something we have never had before: Proof that your content is being used by AI systems.
But it also highlights what is missing: What happens after that visibility.
That is where the next phase of search begins, and that is where platforms like PingAura come in.
Because in the AI era, it is not enough to be seen. You need to be chosen, tracked, and monetised.
Join PingAura and let our platform help with exactly that. Sign up today at https://www.pingaura.ai.
