AI Overview Top Sources

AI Overview Top Sources ranks the domains most frequently referenced in stored AI Overviews for the selected workspace, search group and keyword scope.

Overview

Use Top Sources to see which domains are most visible as AI Overview references. The horizontal bar chart shows up to ten source domains, ordered by the number of distinct stored references on the latest date with available data.

The view can summarise all keywords in a search group or focus on one selected keyword.

Top Sources is separate from AI Overviews Summary. Top Sources is organised by cited domain, while AI Overviews Summary is organised by keyword and overview content.

Access and data scope

Top Sources uses the active workspace.
Results are limited to domains available in that workspace and the signed-in user’s accessible scope.
The selected search group further limits the tracked domains included.
Sub-account users can use search groups made available through their parent account access.
An optional keyword selection narrows the chart to that keyword.
Invalid or inaccessible workspace and search-group combinations return no data.

Changing workspace, search group or keyword refreshes the chart.

Quick start

Select the relevant workspace and search group.
Open Top Sources.
Review the leading source domains and their mention counts.
Select one keyword when a focused source comparison is needed.
Use the chart menu to export or print the current view.

Understand the chart

Each horizontal bar represents one source domain.

Sources axis: Lists the cited domains.
Count axis: Shows the number of distinct stored references.
Mentions: The data series used for the source counts.
Data label: Displays the count at the end of each bar.

Sources are ordered from the highest count to the lowest. The chart displays up to ten domains.

Hover over a bar to view the source and its count. Use the chart menu to export an image or print the chart.

Understand a mention

A mention is a distinct source reference stored in the AI Overview data for the current selection and latest available date.

The count is not:

The number of keywords for which the domain appears
An estimated traffic value
A ranking position
A measure of sentiment or source quality
A count of every text occurrence of the domain

One domain can receive several references across different keywords or overview sections. Use AI Overviews Summary when the underlying keyword and content context is required.

Understand the date scope

Top Sources uses the most recent date that contains matching source data for the current domain and keyword scope. It does not combine the full tracking history into a cumulative total.

This means:

The displayed date can differ between search groups or keywords.
Counts can change when a newer tracking result becomes available.
A live search can differ from the stored result.
Switching keyword can change both the date and the source ranking.

The chart does not currently display the resolved data date. Treat it as the latest stored snapshot for the selected scope.

Filter by search group

The search group limits the source ranking to AI Overview data associated with its tracked domains.

When the search group changes, Top Sources reloads if its tab is visible. If it was hidden, it loads when the tab is opened.

If no search group is selected, the view can use the accessible workspace scope where supported. For a precise comparison, select the intended search group.

Filter by keyword

Select All Keywords to rank sources across the current search-group scope on the latest matching date.

Select one keyword to see the top sources referenced for that term. A single-keyword chart can contain fewer than ten sources.

The keyword selector is shared with the surrounding keyword dashboard. Confirm its selection when moving between AI Overview views.

Interpret the result

One dominant source: The domain receives substantially more stored references than other sources in the current snapshot.
Several similar sources: AI Overview references are distributed across a broader source set.
Owned domain appears: The workspace domain is among the leading stored references; use AI Overviews Summary to locate the relevant keyword and section.
Owned domain is absent: It is not in the ten highest source counts for this snapshot. It can still appear below the displayed limit or in another keyword or date.
Large change after a new check: Review the underlying overviews before assuming a persistent trend.

Top Sources is descriptive. It shows which domains were referenced and does not explain why a search engine selected them.

What should I do next?

Investigate a leading source: Open AI Overviews Summary and review which keyword sections reference it.
Compare one priority keyword: Select that keyword and review its source ranking.
Owned domain is missing: Use SERP Features for a page-one evidence and eligibility analysis.
Source mix changed: Wait for another tracking snapshot before treating one change as a trend.
Unexpected domain appears: Check the underlying AI Overview content to understand its role as a source.
Need historical performance: Record or export snapshots over time; this chart displays the latest stored date rather than a time series.

Troubleshooting

No data for this selection: Confirm the workspace, search group and keyword, then wait for AI Overview source data to populate.
Chart does not load: Reopen the Top Sources tab and refresh the page if the error continues.
A source is missing: It may fall outside the top ten, belong to another keyword or search group, or be absent from the latest snapshot.
Counts differ from AI Overviews Summary: Top Sources counts distinct source references on the latest matching date; the summary presents keyword-level overview and section data.
Chart changed after switching keyword: Each keyword can have a different latest snapshot and source set.
Wrong workspace data appears: Reselect the workspace and search group, then reopen Top Sources.
Export controls are missing: Wait for the chart to finish rendering before opening its menu.

Frequently asked questions

Is Top Sources part of AI Overviews Summary?

No. It is a separate source-ranking tool displayed alongside the summary.

What does the count measure?

It counts distinct stored source references for the latest matching date and selected scope.

Does the chart show more than ten sources?

No. It displays up to ten leading domains.

Are the counts cumulative?

No. They come from the latest date with matching data, not the full historical period.

Does a leading count mean the source is trustworthy?

No. The chart measures reference frequency, not accuracy, authority or sentiment.

Can an absent domain still be cited?

Yes. It can fall below the top-ten limit or appear in another keyword, search group or snapshot.

Can this view add an action to the Board?

No. Top Sources is read-only. Use SERP Features when a recommendation and Board workflow are required.

Does it create Ask Wheremore analysis context?

No. It does not run a separate AI analysis.

Who can see the data?

The chart uses the active workspace, selected search group and the signed-in user’s accessible domain scope.