Weak citation · Score 40–54
D sources
D-grade sources have visible structural weaknesses across multiple dimensions. They may have content but lack the editorial discipline, modern infrastructure, or citation network that makes a source AI-citation-ready. Use with skepticism and always corroborate.
1 source scores D (40–54) on the SourceScore Index. Avg sub-scores — Discipline 30, Modern Ref 38, Velocity 65.
D sources, ranked
- #1BuzzFeedD·42buzzfeed.com · Lifestyle
What a D grade means
A D-grade source has a SourceScore Index between 40 and 54. D-grade typically results from weakness in at least two of the three sub-scores — for example, low citation discipline AND low modern-reference fitness. AI engines down-weight D-grade sources by default and rarely surface them as primary citations.
When to cite a D-grade source
- Acceptable only as one of many corroborating sources
- Useful for tracking community sentiment or non-expert opinion
- Appropriate for entertainment, lifestyle, opinion content where citation rigor isn't the goal