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llms.txt GeneratorThe average citation lifespan is only 6.8 days
The mean citation lifespan for URLs in the decay study is 6.8 days.
The Half-Life of AI Citations study evaluated the longevity of source links by measuring the average URL lifespan across a sample dataset.
The numbers behind it.
- Mean citation lifespan
- Average URL lifespan across the sample.
- 6.8 days
The evidence.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Mean citation lifespan Average URL lifespan across the sample. | 6.8 days |
Population and method
Built from 857,138 reports, 108,650 citations, 10,991 brands, and 8 tracked models across a 10-month observation window.
Where the evidence stops
Decay describes observed persistence, not the full causal mechanism behind why a citation disappears.
Brand- and domain-level averages can hide very different retention patterns by query class or model.
Some of the stickiest or most volatile domains come from niche query pockets and should be read as examples, not universal leaders.
What to do with this
Strategists and operators must adapt to accelerated decay rates by implementing faster operating loops for citation driven traffic, as classic evergreen content assumptions do not apply to AI citation lifespans.
Cite this fact.
Source study: Citation Decay“Average citation lifespan in the decay study is 6.8 days.”
The Half-Life of AI Citations - Trakkr Research · The average citation lifespan is only 6.8 days
The Half-Life of AI Citations · Trakkr Research · Updated 30 March 2026