How should I explain the three signals to a client clearly?

There are three signals you should describe: discovery, retrieval, and referral. Discovery is when an AI or crawler spots a public resource. Retrieval is when the AI fetches material to answer, but it may not show it as the source. Referral means an identifiable AI service arrived with a browser referrer. Explain to a client that a retrieval without a citation isn’t proof of interest; it’s observable activity. A citation or a referral is a stronger signal, but even then it doesn’t guarantee a sale. Interpret signals together and watch them over time rather than focusing on a single event. A practical next step is to track these signals for several weeks and compare activity when citations or referrals are present versus when they are not. Focus on trends, not one-off results, to inform understanding rather than guarantees.