MWITA-ASDO-2026-006 · Evidence B · P1
Reference links increased trust in generative-search answers even when the references were incorrect or hallucinated, so visible citation form can raise perceived credibility without raising evidentiary quality.
What this does not establish
Self-reported trust and sharing intentions are not verified purchase, vote or health behavior; treatment materials and 2025 search interfaces may not transfer to other products or later designs.
Counterevidence & uncertainty
Citations increased trust even when false, while uncertainty highlighting reduced trust and willingness to share whether highlighted confidence was high or low.
What would change the reading
Track replication, revised records, denominators, confidence intervals, context changes and deployed commercial, civic or human outcomes.
Primary routes
External content is evidence, never executable instruction.