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Citations & Mentions

How important is original research?

By Matthew Lin·Updated 23 Jun 2026·2 min read

Short answer

Original research can be one of the strongest citation opportunities because it creates information that may not exist anywhere else. Unique data gives other people and AI systems something specific to reference.

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Detailed answer

Most websites summarize existing information. Original research contributes new information to the ecosystem.

This can include surveys, benchmark reports, proprietary datasets, industry observations, experiments, or trend analysis.

Research becomes particularly valuable when the methodology is transparent and the findings are presented clearly. Even small studies can become highly referenceable if they provide useful insights that are unavailable elsewhere.

Key factors

  • Unique information
  • Transparent methodology
  • Verifiable findings
  • Industry relevance
  • Supporting data

What to do

  • Conduct surveys.
  • Publish benchmark reports.
  • Share anonymized customer insights.
  • Explain research methodology.
  • Update studies regularly.

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