How to Get Your Business to Show Up in LLMs (And Why Reddit Is the Key)
Introduction
Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude are changing how people search for information. Instead of typing a query into Google, users are increasingly turning to AI tools to get instant, conversational answers.
For businesses, this raises a crucial question:
👉 How do you make sure your brand shows up in AI answers?
The surprising answer is: focus on Reddit.
Why? Because Reddit has become one of the most cited sources in LLM outputs. That means the way your brand is discussed on Reddit today can directly shape the answers AI delivers to potential customers tomorrow.
Why LLMs Cite Reddit So Often
Trusted, user-generated content: LLMs are designed to provide answers that sound authentic and relatable. Reddit, with millions of real user discussions, fits that need perfectly.
Coverage across every niche: From skincare to SaaS to gaming, there’s a subreddit for nearly every industry — and those discussions are being pulled into AI responses.
High domain authority: Google and other AI-integrated search tools increasingly prioritize Reddit results. A strong Reddit presence means stronger visibility in both search and AI.
The Risk of Ignoring Reddit
If your brand isn’t part of Reddit discussions, you leave a vacuum for others to fill. That can mean:
Competitors getting cited instead of you.
Negative reviews surfacing in AI answers.
Missed opportunities to influence customer perception at the very top of the funnel.
How to Get Your Business to Show Up in LLMs
1. Build a Presence on Reddit
The first step is ensuring your brand is visible on the platform most likely to be cited. This includes:
Participating in relevant subreddits.
Hosting AMAs (Ask Me Anything) to showcase expertise.
Answering community questions in an authentic, helpful way.
2. Encourage Organic Mentions
Customers talking positively about your business on Reddit creates a trail of authentic user-generated content that LLMs can surface. This requires:
Delivering experiences worth talking about.
Monitoring brand mentions to engage with happy customers.
Building relationships with moderators and power users.
3. Leverage Reddit Ads
Reddit Ads don’t just drive traffic — they also increase the visibility of your brand in key communities. Even promoted posts can spark organic conversation, which then becomes part of Reddit’s permanent record (and training data for AI).
4. Manage Reputation Actively
Since AI can pull in both positive and negative content, reputation management is critical. This means:
Monitoring sentiment across Reddit.
Correcting misinformation where appropriate.
Turning negative threads into opportunities to show transparency and care.
5. Optimize for Longevity
Unlike fleeting social posts, Reddit threads live on. A strong answer to a user’s question can remain visible for years — and continue to influence both search rankings and AI-generated responses.
The Future of Brand Visibility in AI
We’re entering a new era where AI tools are the first place people go for answers. And since these tools rely heavily on Reddit as a data source, the brands that invest in Reddit marketing today will be the ones showing up tomorrow.
This makes Reddit not just another social platform, but a strategic lever for AI-era SEO and brand visibility.
Conclusion
Getting your business to show up in LLMs isn’t about gaming algorithms — it’s about being present in the conversations those models learn from. And right now, the most influential platform in that equation is Reddit.
At Upvote, we help brands build authentic Reddit strategies that drive visibility, trust, and — increasingly — AI-powered brand exposure. From community engagement to ads to reputation management, we make sure your brand is part of the conversations that matter.