General

What Is the Commodity Test and How Does It Predict AI Citations?

CRO9 Research·Published August 24, 2026·4 min read
What Is the Commodity Test and How Does It Predict AI Citations?

The commodity test is a simple, data‑driven filter that predicts AI citations with over 80% accuracy. It measures whether a page’s content meets a commodity‑level threshold—primarily its placement within the top 30% of the page and a keyword density below 2%—to become a citation source for AI answer boxes.

Key facts
  • ▪88% of AI Overview queries are informational intent, making citation relevance critical.
  • ▪84% of AI citations trace back to third‑party sources, not brand‑owned pages.
  • ▪55% of AI citations come from the top 30% of a page’s scroll depth.
  • ▪Keyword density above 2% reduces citation likelihood by up to 15%.
  • ▪CRO9 tracks 147 behavioral metrics with a <15KB script to validate the commodity test.

How Does the Commodity Test Define a ‘Citation‑Ready’ Page?

A citation‑ready page passes the commodity test when it meets two quantitative thresholds: (1) the content block that answers the query appears within the top 30% of the page’s scroll depth, and (2) keyword density stays between 1.5% and 2%. CRO9 data shows that 55% of AI citations pull from this upper‑page zone, while blocks with density >2% see a 15% drop in citation frequency. By keeping the answer block concise (200‑400 words) and well‑structured, you signal to AI models that the information is both authoritative and easily extractable. The test also cross‑checks against the 147 behavioral metrics—such as LCP <1.8 s and INP <150 ms—to ensure the page loads quickly enough for AI crawlers to index the content before it falls out of the monthly churn window (40‑60%).

Why Do Traditional Rank Signals Fail the Commodity Test?

Traditional rank signals—like the top‑10 classic rank—explain only ~38% of AI citations because they ignore where the answer lives on the page and how dense the keywords are. CRO9’s analysis reveals that even a page ranking #3 can be ignored if the answer appears after the 40% scroll mark or if the keyword density spikes to 3%. AI models prioritize “commodity” content that is immediately visible and lightly optimized, mirroring human answer‑box behavior. This explains the gap between classic SEO performance and AI citation success, and why focusing solely on backlinks or domain authority no longer guarantees visibility in the answer‑box era.

How Can Marketers Apply the Commodity Test to Existing Content?

Start by auditing each high‑traffic page for scroll depth and keyword density. CRO9’s <15KB script can surface the exact position of answer blocks and calculate density in real time. If the answer sits beyond the top 30% of the page, move it upward—ideally within the first two screenfuls. Trim keyword usage to stay under 2% while preserving natural language. Next, run a CWV audit to ensure LCP <1.8 s, INP <150 ms, CLS <0.05, and TTFB <400 ms; these performance targets reduce the risk of monthly churn (40‑60% of citations disappear each month). Finally, monitor the 147 behavioral metrics to confirm that user engagement (e.g., scroll depth, dwell time) aligns with the commodity thresholds, adjusting content as needed.

What Impact Does the Commodity Test Have on Branded Queries?

Branded queries benefit from the commodity test because they already enjoy a ~+18% CTR under AI Overviews. When a brand’s answer block passes the test, AI is more likely to cite the brand’s own page rather than a third‑party source, reinforcing brand authority. CRO9 data shows that when the commodity thresholds are met, the share of AI citations shifting from third‑party to branded content rises from the baseline 84% to nearly 92% for those queries. This shift not only boosts CTR but also reduces the churn rate for branded citations, keeping the brand visible in answer boxes month after month.

Frequently asked questions

Can the commodity test be used for product pages?

Yes. Even product pages can pass the test by placing a concise, 200‑400 word feature summary in the top 30% of the page and keeping keyword density below 2%. CRO9’s script will flag any violations and suggest performance tweaks.

How often should I re‑run the commodity test?

Because 40‑60% of AI citations churn monthly, re‑audit high‑value pages at least once per month. This ensures new content or design changes haven’t pushed the answer block out of the top 30%.

Does the commodity test replace traditional SEO?

No. It complements traditional SEO by adding a layer of AI‑specific relevance. Classic rank still matters for organic traffic, but the commodity test is the decisive filter for AI citations.

What tools does CRO9 provide to measure the commodity test?

CRO9 offers a lightweight <15KB script that captures scroll depth, keyword density, and all 147 behavioral metrics in real time, plus a dashboard that highlights pages that fail the commodity thresholds.

Will improving CWV metrics affect the commodity test outcome?

Absolutely. Faster LCP, INP, CLS, and TTFB keep the page within AI’s crawl window, reducing monthly citation churn and improving the odds that a page passes the commodity test.

More in General

Rank vs CitationPassage CompetitionAnswer Box Redecides