Test logs
Track observations without turning one output into a rule.
Test logs record the tool, prompt, date, sources, mentions, and limitations. They are evidence notes, not proof that a brand can force AI citations.
Use tests for
Observed source behavior
Record whether answer surfaces cite, mention, summarize, omit, or misrepresent a page.
Do not use tests for
Guaranteed placement claims
One output from one tool does not prove durable visibility or source selection control.
Best paired with
Answer quality audits
Score and improve the page before testing how tools summarize it.
Template
Download the test-log CSV
Use this spreadsheet template to record prompts, tools, source mentions, brand mentions, summaries, confidence notes, repeat-test dates, and follow-up actions.
| Date | Tool | Prompt | Sources | Brand | Repeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | Example AI answer surface | What makes an answer easy for AI systems to reuse? | Search result snippets, Publisher explainers | Not mentioned | Yes |
Before testing
Make the page worth testing.
The test log is most useful after the page has a clear answer, source context, and visible caveats. Otherwise the test result may reflect poor page structure rather than external source selection.