# Citations

> Use when auditing metadata, crawlability, structured data, or indexability related to Cite authoritative external sources. Verify the rendered HTML and HTTP response rather than relying only on source files.

- Skill: `thedaviddias/citations` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add thedaviddias/citations`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/thedaviddias/citations/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: thedaviddias (https://skillmd.com/u/thedaviddias)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/thedaviddias/citations

---


# Cite authoritative external sources

Citing authoritative sources is a key trust signal for E-E-A-T, demonstrating that your content is well-researched and grounded in verifiable information.

## Quick Reference

- Link to reputable, high-authority websites to validate factual claims, data, or quotes
- Ensure citations are highly relevant and provide extra value to the reader
- Use descriptive anchor text when linking to external research, studies, or official sources

## Check

Review the content for any factual claims that should be backed up with a link to an authoritative source.

## Fix

Add external links to reputable websites (e.g., .gov, .edu, or industry leaders) to support your data points.

## Explain

Explain how citing external sources contributes to the 'Trustworthiness' pillar of Google's E-E-A-T framework.

## Code Review

Review metadata generation, rendered HTML, structured data, and response headers related to Cite authoritative external sources. Flag exact routes or templates where search-facing output violates the rule, and describe how to verify the final page output.

---

For full implementation details, code examples, and framework-specific guidance,
see `references/rule.md`.

Rule page: https://frontendchecklist.io/en/rules/seo/citations