How to Track Perplexity Rankings: The 5 Best Tools for AI Citations
Google Search Console doesn't show you Perplexity traffic. Here is how to find out if you are being cited by the world's fastest-growing Answer Engine.
Perplexity is not a search engine; it is an "Answer Engine." It doesn't give users ten blue links—it gives them a summarized answer with citations.
For SaaS founders and marketers, this is a dangerous shift. If Perplexity answers a user's question about "Best CRM" without citing you, you don't just lose a click—you lose the entire opportunity. The user never leaves the chat interface.
The problem? Google Search Console (GSC) does not track Perplexity. You need dedicated tools to monitor these AI citations.
| Tool | Best For... | Perplexity Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. GenRankEngine | Automated Rank Tracking | Citation Sentiment & Competitor Gaps |
| 2. OmniSEO | Simple Citation Checks | Basic URL Scanning |
| 3. Cairrot | LLM Analytics | Source tracking |
| 4. Perplexity Pro | Manual Verification | Search Focus |
| 5. Ahrefs | Backlink Analysis | Reference Domain Tracking |
Detailed Tool Breakdown
1. GenRankEngine
Best for: Automated Perplexity Tracking & Sentiment Analysis
GenRankEngine is currently the most robust tool for tracking Perplexity rankings because it goes beyond simple mentions. It uses the API to simulate real user queries (e.g., "Best marketing tools for 2025") and analyzes the response.
It answers the critical questions:
1. Is Perplexity citing us?
2. Is the citation positive or negative?
3. Which competitors are appearing instead of us?
2. OmniSEO
Best for: Quick Citation Checks
OmniSEO offers a focused solution for brands that want to check if their URL is appearing in Perplexity's sources. It is lightweight and focuses specifically on the "citation" aspect of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
3. Cairrot
Best for: LLM Analytics & Reporting
Cairrot positions itself as an analytics platform for the LLM era. It helps track how your brand is represented across various AI models, with a specific module for tracking Perplexity rankings and visibility.
4. Perplexity Pro (Manual)
Best for: Manual Audits
Sometimes the best tool is the platform itself. Using a Perplexity Pro account ($20/mo), you can manually run "Focus: Search" queries to see how your brand appears. While not scalable for tracking 100+ keywords, it is essential for spot-checking your brand's narrative.
5. Ahrefs
Best for: Tracking Referring Domains
Perplexity relies heavily on high-authority domains to generate answers. While Ahrefs doesn't track Perplexity directly, it tracks the sources Perplexity uses (like Reddit, Quora, and high-DR blogs). Improving your backlink profile in Ahrefs often correlates with higher Perplexity visibility.
How Perplexity Rankings Work
Unlike Google, which ranks "pages," Perplexity ranks "information chunks." To rank in Perplexity, you need to optimize for:
- Information Density: Avoid fluff. State facts clearly.
- Citations: Get mentioned in recent, authoritative news or blog articles.
- Structured Data: Use Schema.org to help the AI parse your pricing and features.
See your Perplexity Score
Run an automated audit to see if Perplexity recommends your product for your top keywords.
Check Perplexity Rankings Free