5.1 Primary Metrics

Metric How to Measure Frequency
LLM recommendation rate Submit each target query to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Record whether your product is named. Calculate: (queries where named) / (total queries) per model. Monthly
Mention frequency Use Ahrefs Content Explorer or similar to count unique external URLs mentioning your product in relevant context. Monthly
Review volume and rating Track total reviews and average rating on G2, Capterra, TrustRadius. Biweekly
Context alignment score For a sample of 20 external mentions, score each 1 to 5 on whether it uses your standardized category label and description. Average the scores. Monthly
Category query position When your product appears in LLM responses, record whether it is listed first, second, third, or lower. Monthly

5.2 LLM Response Testing Protocol

Because LLM outputs are non-deterministic, a single query is not a reliable indicator. Use this protocol:

  1. Submit each target query 3 times per model, on different days.
  2. Record whether your product is named in each response.
  3. Record the exact wording used to describe your product.
  4. Record which competitors are also named.
  5. Calculate a recommendation rate: (appearances / total attempts) per query per model.
  6. Track trends over time, not single data points.

Important note: Different model versions, user context, and phrasing variations will produce different results. Treat this as directional data, not precise measurement.

5.3 Feedback Loop Process

At the end of each month:

  1. Review all metrics against the previous month.
  2. Identify which signals showed the most improvement and which showed the least.
  3. For signals that did not improve, audit the specific actions taken and identify blockers.
  4. Adjust the next month's priority allocation: spend more effort on underperforming signals.
  5. Test 3 new query variations to expand coverage of the recommendation landscape.
  6. Update comparison content and FAQ pages with any new competitor information or product changes.