What is Training Data?
TL;DR
The vast collection of text Large Language Models learn from. LLMs trained before a certain date have "knowledge cutoffs" and won't know about newer businesses or changes. However, AI search tools like Perplexity search the live web. Both historical training data and current web presence matter for AI Optimization.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Training Data
What is a knowledge cutoff and why does it matter?
AI models are trained on data up to a certain date, their 'knowledge cutoff.' If ChatGPT's cutoff is 2023 and you opened in 2024, it might not know you exist. Newer AI tools with web browsing can find current information, but their base knowledge still has gaps.
How does training data affect what AI says about my business?
If your business was well-represented in data before the cutoff, website, reviews, news mentions, AI might know about you. If that data was wrong or outdated, AI might have wrong information. If you're new, AI might not know you exist without web search.
Can I update what AI 'knows' about my business?
You can't directly update training data. But you can improve your current web presence so AI tools with browsing find accurate information. And as AI models get retrained on newer data, your current strong presence will be included.
Is training data the same as what Perplexity searches?
No. Training data is baked into the AI's knowledge. Perplexity searches the live web for every query, your current website, recent reviews, today's information. That's why being visible NOW matters for Perplexity, even if you're not in training data.
Terms Related to Training Data
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Read definition AIOAI Answer Engine
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Read definition AIOAI Citation
When an AI system references or attributes information to your website or content. In Perplexity, citations appear as fo...
Read definition AIOAI Hallucination
When AI generates confident but factually incorrect information, making up business details, fake citations, or wrong cl...
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