Definition

An AI system that replaces lists of links with generative answers.

Why it matters

Because each engine composes answers differently, they name different brands for the same question. In our own Q3 2026 benchmark across twelve categories, one model named an average of 3.5 providers per answer while another named 2.1.

How to measure it

Never average engines into one number before you have looked at them separately. Track the same question set per engine and compare the per-engine mention rates first.