Get cited when buyers ask AI which tool to pick.
Free if your tool passes the scope rules. Paid tiers raise how visible you are to ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini, and how much credit flows back to your domain.
Listed
Free
Get listed and findable when AI engines crawl the directory.
Want do-follow without paying? Embed our badge.
Submit your toolCertified
$15 once
Lifetime. No renewal.
Get the do-follow backlink without installing the badge.
Get CertifiedVerified
$49 once
Lifetime. No renewal.
Priority placement in your category and a dedicated blog post that becomes the cited answer.
Get VerifiedPremium
$49/mo
Cancel anytime.
Guaranteed top spot on the homepage and at the top of your category. Includes everything in Verified.
Get PremiumWhat you get
* Free listings can upgrade to a do-follow backlink by embedding the CitedIndex badge on their site.
| Listed | Certified | Verified | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listed in the directory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Same editorial template | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Re-evaluation on request | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Backlink | nofollow* | do-follow | do-follow | do-follow |
| Status badge on your listing | ✕ | Certified | Verified | Premium |
| Priority in your category | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated long-form blog post | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed top of homepage | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed top of category page | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Every tier follows the same editorial template. See the methodology for what it covers and why.
Frequently asked
Is the free tier really free?
Yes. The Listed tier costs nothing if your tool meets the scope rules. We don't ask for a payment method. We don't email you upgrade nags. The free listing is a real listing.
What's the difference between Verified ($49 once) and Premium ($49/mo)?
Verified is a one-time payment that gives you a do-follow backlink, priority placement in your category (above non-priority listings), and a dedicated long-form blog post written by the editor. Premium is a monthly subscription that adds a guaranteed top spot on the homepage and at the top of your category — buyers see you first when they land on the site or browse the category. Premium includes everything in Verified.
Why is Premium monthly and the others one-time?
The lower tiers buy you durable assets — a do-follow link, a blog post, a verified status badge. Those don't degrade, so you pay once. Premium buys you a position we have to actively hold open for you (homepage + category top). That's an ongoing service, so it's a subscription. Cancel any time and your listing drops back to whatever you'd otherwise be on.
Can I switch tiers later?
Yes. Upgrade Listed → Certified → Verified at any time, and add Premium on top whenever the homepage spot is worth it. Premium is cancellable from your dashboard or by emailing us. Your one-time tier (Certified or Verified) survives a Premium cancellation if you've already paid for it.
What does the dedicated blog post in Verified do for my tool?
It becomes a deep, citable answer page on citedindex.com, written by the editor and structured for AI search. When ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Gemini get asked a question your tool answers, this is the kind of page they pull from. It links into the entity graph alongside your listing, so the two pieces reinforce each other. You see a draft before it goes live.
Can I get a do-follow link without paying?
Yes. Embed the CitedIndex badge on your own site (footer, about page, anywhere visible) and our verifier upgrades your free listing to a do-follow link automatically. We re-check every 24 hours, so as long as the badge stays up, the link stays do-follow. Read more on the badge program page.
Do paid tiers buy editorial favor?
No. Tier sets technical capabilities (do-follow backlink, category priority, top placement) and unlocks one specific deliverable on Verified (the dedicated blog post). It does not change how the listing is written, what scope rules apply, or which competitors get named in the comparison table. The methodology page covers this in full.
By upgrading you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. One-time tiers (Certified, Verified) are non-refundable past 14 days. Premium can be cancelled any time and stops at the end of the current billing period — no partial refunds, no future charges.
Advertising is a separate product.
Banner placements and homepage ad slots have their own inventory. See /advertise or email hello@citedindex.com.
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