What Kind of Sites Does ChatGPT Evaluate in the HR/Recruitment Sector? CINC Analyzes AI Search Citation Trends from 9,680 Response Data Points

CINC Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tomonori Ishimatsu; hereinafter CINC) has released a research report analyzing ChatGPT's website citation trends in the HR/recruitment sector.

As generative AI increasingly supports information gathering and decision-making, how a company is recognized and referenced by generative AI as an information source is becoming a crucial factor influencing future customer acquisition and brand recall. This report uniquely analyzes ChatGPT's response data for 9,680 prompts. It clarifies the trends of sites referenced by ChatGPT as information sources in the HR/recruitment sector and compiles concrete insights for realizing next-generation customer acquisition strategies, 'AI Search Optimization (GEO/LLMO).'

*This survey is based on CINC's independent research results, not an official announcement from OpenAI.

*The survey content is an analysis result based on data obtained during a specific period and does not guarantee future citation trends.

Download the report

<Background of the Survey: Towards an Era of Utilizing Generative AI as an Information Filter>

In recent years, user information gathering has been shifting towards utilizing generative AI like ChatGPT as an 'information filter.' This is also true for job searching in the HR/recruitment sector.

In this domain, where information gathering to comparison and consideration is done online, in addition to conventional measures, it may become important for companies to be recognized and referenced by generative AI as a 'reliable information source.' We conducted this survey believing that quantitatively grasping 'AI citation trends' in this domain, where many database-type large-scale sites exist, would form the foundation for future customer acquisition and content strategies.

<Survey Overview>

Survey Period: September 18, 2025 – October 23, 2025

Survey Purpose: Quantitative understanding of ChatGPT's citation status for HR/recruitment websites and identification of variables for being cited.

Target Domain: HR-related areas such as job hunting, career change, part-time jobs, and temporary staffing.

Number of Survey Prompts: 9,680

Survey Content: Comprehensively extracted major keywords used in the HR domain, such as area, industry, employment type, and conditions, and created survey prompts based on them. Obtained ChatGPT responses and analyzed the cited domains.

Survey Organization: CINC Inc.

<Highlights of This Report: 'Three Keys' for AI Search Optimization>

1. Visualizing the trends of sites ChatGPT references as information sources

This report analyzes 'what kind of sites are referenced as information sources in the HR/recruitment sector' from ChatGPT's response data for 9,680 survey prompts. Beyond the overall overview, trends for each prompt classification, such as 'area,' 'industry,' and 'attribute,' can also be understood.

2. Verifying factors influencing citation likelihood

Based on the trends in the survey data, three hypotheses were verified to analyze the structure of why generative AI preferentially cites specific sites.

Hypothesis ① Superiority of highly specialized sites: In the HR/recruitment sector, specialization is important, and sites specialized in specific topics are likely to be referenced as information sources.

Hypothesis ② Impact of SEO metrics: ChatGPT citations for prompts with limited areas, such as 'I'm looking for a remote job in ○○ city,' may not be as affected by traditional SEO metrics as organic search.

Hypothesis ③ Importance of primary information: Pages containing original research or interviews (primary information) are likely to be treated as highly reliable information sources by ChatGPT.

3. Presenting three recommended actions for gaining citations on ChatGPT

Based on the verification results of the three hypotheses, recommended actions for companies in the HR/recruitment sector are organized.

Clarification of specialization in specific themes

Strengthening and continuing SEO ranking improvement measures

Enhancing the dissemination of primary information

For details on the conclusions and recommended actions, please refer to the image below and the full report.

<Click here for details on the survey content>

Please download and view the details of the survey content and analysis results from the URL below.

https://consulting.cinc-j.co.jp/consultingdownload_chatgpt-research-2605

<Reference>

About CINC's AI Search Optimization (GEO/LLMO)

https://www.cinc-j.co.jp/service/analytics/geoconsulting

Free Diagnosis for AI Search Optimization (GEO/LLMO)

We currently offer a free diagnosis service for AI Search Optimization (GEO/LLMO). Check how much your content is displayed and cited on generative AI platforms.