Generative response
A generative response is the text composed by AI from multiple sources, as opposed to a list of links. It synthesizes, sometimes takes a position, and cites its supporting content with varying visibility.
In practice
Its economics upend click-based strategies: a user satisfied by the synthesis no longer visits the sources. Winning strategies shift accordingly — being cited by name, capturing queries where synthesis falls short (transactions, tools, fresh data), and building a brand that users search for directly. Traffic must be earned higher in the funnel.