> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peec.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Self-promotional listicles still get cited — about 1 in 10 citations

> Peec's 232,000-citation study (Dec 2025–Feb 2026) — ~11% of AI search citations come from self-promotional listicles; ChatGPT filters best at ~3.6% vs ~10% for Google AI Mode and Perplexity.

AI search has not solved the self-promotion problem. Peec analyzed 232,000 citations across 13,000 listicles over 12 weeks (December 2025–February 2026) on six platforms in the software-review niche ([full study](https://peec.ai/blog/self-promotional-listicles-analysis-from-232k-citations)). A self-promotional listicle is a "best of" roundup where the publishing brand ranks its own product on top.

* **\~11% of citations** come from self-promotional listicles — roughly 1 in 10.
* **No evidence of algorithmic correction** over the 12 weeks: rates stayed stable within natural variation, so any corrections brands see are case-by-case, not systemic.
* **ChatGPT filters best by far:** 3.6% average — about 3× lower than Google AI Mode (10.3%) and Perplexity (10.4%). Likely drivers: ChatGPT draws from more diverse sources, uses more educational sites in this niche (7.8% vs 3.6% Perplexity, 2.5% AI Mode), and uses Zapier far less (\~1% of URLs vs \~8%).

Despite still "working," the study recommends against the tactic: reputational risk, explicit algorithmic warnings from SEO voices like Lily Ray, and better alternatives — earning placements in third-party listicles (see [Listicle rank effect on visibility](/research/listicle-rank-effect-on-visibility)), review-site relationships, and educational content.

**Source:** [Self-promotional listicles analysis: Data from 232,000 citations](https://peec.ai/blog/self-promotional-listicles-analysis-from-232k-citations), Peec (Tom Wells), Mar 2026.