Direct answer
A mention occurs when your name appears. A citation occurs when a source is shown. A recommendation occurs when you are offered to the user as an option. Representation is the full meaning constructed about you. All four events may occur together, but none automatically proves any of the others.
In plain language
If a friend says the name of your restaurant, that is a mention. If they give its website address, that is a citation. If they say, 'Go there,' that is a recommendation. When they describe its type, location, prices and features, they are creating a representation. Each event can be accurate or inaccurate.
Why this matters
Reports become misleading when all four concepts are reduced to one measure. A source may appear without supporting the claim. A system may recommend a business while describing the wrong one.
Do not confuse
- The presence of a citation is not the same as citation support.
- A recommendation is not necessarily correct or suitable.
- Representation is broader than the number of mentions.
What should you do?
- Record mention, citation, recommendation and representation in separate fields for every output.
- Check which statement the citation supports.
- Assess whether the recommendation fits the query and whether the representation is accurate.
- Place mentions and citations attached to the wrong entity in a separate error class.
- Do not use one high rate as a general success score.
How do you audit it?
- Did the name appear?
- Was a source shown, and did it support the correct claim?
- Was the entity actually recommended or merely listed?
- Are the identity and properties correct?
- Were the four metrics reported separately?
Limit
A citation or recommendation does not by itself show that the source is independent, current or sufficient.
Remember in one sentence
A mention, a citation, a recommendation and a representation are four separate events.