To rank in LLMs, you must target their preferred training data. ChatGPT heavily favors Wikipedia and Reddit. Claude prioritizes authoritative .gov and .edu links. A multi-platform presence is crucial as each model values different signals for trust and relevance.
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Influencing AI results isn't about traditional SEO tactics. It's about getting your brand mentioned in the sources AI models are trained on, like Reddit, industry publications, and news articles. The most effective way to achieve this is through modern PR and consistent social media activity, as journalists and writers use these platforms for discovery.
Effective Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) isn't about traditional keywords. It requires creating hundreds of niche content variations to match conversational queries. Furthermore, it involves a targeted "citation" strategy, focusing on getting mentioned on platforms with direct data licensing deals with specific LLMs (e.g., Reddit for ChatGPT), as these are prioritized sources.
LLMs frequently cite sources that rank poorly on traditional search engines (page 3 and beyond). They are better at identifying canonically correct and authoritative information, regardless of backlinks or domain authority. This gives high-quality, niche content a better chance to be surfaced than ever before.
The common advice to post on Reddit for AI search visibility is often ineffective. Instead, analyze the citations an LLM provides for relevant queries. If the AI isn't sourcing from Reddit, spending time there is a waste. Focus on getting listed where the AI is already looking.
According to SEMrush data, AI tools like ChatGPT are now citing LinkedIn sources 5 times more than a year ago. LinkedIn has surpassed traditional sources like Wikipedia, YouTube, and Google, signaling a major shift in the information hierarchy for AI-driven answers.
AI measures authority partly by "content surface area"—your presence across multiple relevant platforms. Relying solely on one channel is a weakness. A diverse footprint across your site, YouTube, and LinkedIn signals greater authority and trustworthiness to the AI.
Instead of guessing which content works, brands must use data to analyze which sources (articles, domains, data structures) an AI engine like ChatGPT consistently pulls from for a specific industry. This allows brands to tailor content to the AI's demonstrated preferences.
As users increasingly get answers from AI assistants, marketing strategy must evolve from Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This means creating diverse, authoritative content across multiple platforms (podcasts, PR, articles) with the goal of being cited as a trusted source by AI models themselves.
AI models use platforms like Reddit and Quora as 'humanity verifiers.' High-velocity, positive mentions in authentic community discussions are now more valuable trust signals for AI than a high volume of traditional backlinks from content farms.
In the era of zero-click AI search, driving website traffic is less important than being cited as an authority within LLM responses. Marketers must now optimize content to appear in places like Reddit and G2, as these are the sources AI models use to formulate answers and build credibility.
