Cheyenne, WY - Honey Badger SEO has released a new study examining the sources cited in AI-generated local-service search results. Conducted in August 2026, the research covers 176 AI answers across 22 U.S. markets and includes 1,189 citations. The company published the findings, along with its methodology and an FAQ explaining the research scope.
The study was developed to provide a documented look at how AI search systems source local business recommendations. Honey Badger SEO used buyer-style prompts based on searches consumers may make when looking for local service providers. The resulting AI answers were reviewed, and each cited source was recorded for analysis.
The published methodology explains how the prompts were developed, how responses were collected, and how cited sources were classified. It also sets out the limits of the study, including the markets, platforms, queries, and collection period covered by the research.
"Everyone in local SEO has an opinion about AI search, and almost nobody has counted," said Anastasius St. Hasic, founder of Honey Badger SEO. "When someone asks AI who to hire, the business’s own website appears as a cited source three times out of four in our study. The basic playbook still matters: a clear, crawlable website with useful information that AI systems can reference."
Because AI-generated results can vary between searches and change over time, Honey Badger SEO is presenting the research as a record of the specific searches included in the August 2026 study rather than a measure of all AI search activity.
The study also gives Honey Badger SEO a reference point for future research into AI citations. As more data is collected, the company plans to compare later findings with the August results and document changes in the sources cited across local-service searches.
Looking ahead, Honey Badger SEO plans to update the research as the study expands and AI search platforms continue to change. Future updates will add new citation data while keeping the methodology available for review.
The full AI search citation study, including 176 AI answers across 22 U.S. markets, 1,189 citations, methodology, and FAQ, is available at https://seohoneybadger.com/statistics.
About Honey Badger SEO
Honey Badger SEO is a local SEO and generative engine optimization firm that works with small and mid-sized service businesses. The company supports clients across dental, insulation, contracting, and other local-service industries, with a focus on improving visibility in both traditional search and AI-driven search. Honey Badger SEO also conducts research into changing search behavior, citation patterns, and the ways local businesses appear across emerging search platforms.
Email: team@holocronhq.com
Media Contact
Name
Honey Badger SEO
Contact name
Anastasius St. Hasic
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(480) 581-9306
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Cheyenne
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WY
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82001
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https://seohoneybadger.com/