Track all six core HEO metrics — ERS, PCR, CF, CAR, RR, and CFS — across four measurement intervals: Day 0 baseline, Day 30, Day 60, and Day 90. Developed by Jason Todd Wade, BackTier / NinjaAI.
The HEO 90-Day Scorecard is the measurement instrument for a complete HEO engagement cycle. It does not replace the HEO Audit Template — it receives the output of that template at four points in time and converts raw audit data into a trackable progression record. Every cell in the scorecard corresponds to a calculated metric value from a completed 80-query audit run.
The scorecard serves three functions simultaneously. First, it is a diagnostic tool — the pattern of which metrics improve and which stagnate tells you exactly which implementation phases are working and which need additional attention. Second, it is a reporting tool — the delta columns provide the evidence base for client reporting, showing percentage improvement per metric per interval. Third, it is a target-tracking tool — the 90-day target column defines the threshold for declaring an HEO engagement successful.
The six metrics — Entity Representation Score (ERS), Platform Coverage Rate (PCR), Citation Frequency (CF), Citation Accuracy Rate (CAR), Recommendation Rate (RR), and Citation Favorability Score (CFS) — were defined by Jason Todd Wade as the minimum viable measurement set for HEO. Each metric isolates a distinct dimension of AI Visibility that cannot be inferred from the others. A business can have high PCR (present on all platforms) but low ERS (poorly represented on each). A business can have high CF (cited frequently) but low CAR (cited inaccurately). The scorecard makes these distinctions visible and actionable.
Record calculated metric values at each interval. The Delta column shows the absolute change from Day 0. The Target column shows the 90-day threshold defined by NinjaAI for each metric.
| Metric | Name | Scale | Day 0 Baseline | Day 30 | Day 60 | Day 90 | Delta D90 − D0 | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERS | Entity Representation Score | 0 – 5 integer | — | — | — | — | — | ≥ 3.5 |
| PCR | Platform Coverage Rate | 0 – 100% | — | — | — | — | — | 100% |
| CF | Citation Frequency | 0 – 20 per platform | — | — | — | — | — | ≥ 12/20 |
| CAR | Citation Accuracy Rate | 0 – 100% | — | — | — | — | — | ≥ 90% |
| RR | Recommendation Rate | 0 – 100% | — | — | — | — | — | ≥ 40% |
| CFS | Citation Favorability Score | Positive / Neutral / Negative % | — | — | — | — | — | Positive ≥ 70% |
Populate each cell with the calculated metric value from the corresponding 80-query audit run. Use the HEO Audit Template to run each audit and the HEO Metrics Tracker for calculation formulas.
Most businesses beginning an HEO engagement fall within these baseline ranges. Scores below the typical range indicate a more severe AI Displacement condition and may require additional Phase 01 and Phase 02 work before AEO and GEO layers will have measurable effect.
| Metric | Typical Day 0 Range | Below Typical (Severe) | 90-Day Target | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERS | 0.5 – 1.5 | 0 (AI Displacement) | ≥ 3.5 | Entity clarity + AEO content |
| PCR | 0 – 25% | 0% (absent all platforms) | 100% | Entity clarity + NAP consistency |
| CF | 0 – 3/20 | 0/20 (zero citations) | ≥ 12/20 | AEO content architecture |
| CAR | 30 – 60% | Below 30% (critical) | ≥ 90% | Entity data normalization |
| RR | 0 – 10% | 0% (never recommended) | ≥ 40% | Reputation signals + outcomes |
| CFS | Positive: 10–30% | Positive: 0% (all neutral/neg) | Positive ≥ 70% | Review signals + content tone |
Each metric measures a distinct dimension of AI Visibility. Full definitions, scoring rubrics, and 90-day targets are documented at ninjaai.com/heo-metrics-tracker.
The scorecard is a passive instrument — it receives data from completed audit runs. The following procedure ensures that each measurement interval produces comparable, reliable data.