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Module 8 · Lesson 8.1 · Why Reddit and forums matter · 3 min

Why ChatGPT cites Reddit and forums (and how to show up without spam)

Lesson 8.1 of the free AEO and GEO course: why ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI often cite Reddit and forums, how much their weight changes from one month to the next, what Reddit's rules say, and four steps to show up authentically, without spamming.

The video for this lesson is coming soon to YouTube. Meanwhile, the full transcript is right here.

Transcript

0:00Introduction

Lesson 8.1: why Reddit and forums matter, and how to show up there without spamming.

0:07How much AI cites forums

When you ask an AI engine for the best product, the sources often include a discussion between real people. Very often, on Reddit. A Semrush study of 230,000 prompts found ChatGPT citing Reddit in close to 60% of its answers, in early August 2025. And then dropping to around 10%, within a few weeks. In September 2026, according to Ahrefs, Reddit is the domain ChatGPT cites most in the United States. So here's the lesson: the weight changes fast, and it depends on the engine. But discussions between people remain a steady source.

0:47Why AI cites discussions

Why? Because a lot of questions ask for experience. Has anyone tried it? Is it worth it? What would you recommend? To these questions, a company website answers by talking about itself. A discussion answers in the words of people who've already bought. And a good discussion lasts. According to Profound, the average Reddit post that gets cited is about a year old.

1:12Not just Reddit

But for most businesses, Reddit is just one of the places. There are industry forums, Quora, customer communities, and groups of professionals. Which ones matter for you? Don't guess: look at which sources the engines cite for your questions, in your Module 2 audit.

1:29Reddit's rules

Before you jump in, read the rules. Reddit's are clear. Participate authentically in communities you genuinely care about, and don't spam. Be authentic: don't mislead other people, and don't pretend to be someone else. And Reddit's own guide for businesses sums it up in one line: skip the sales pitch, if you don't want to get flagged for spam.

1:51How to show up

In practice, four steps. One: pick a few communities, the ones where your questions really get asked. And read the rules of each one. Two: for a few weeks, take part without naming your company. Give good answers, with what you know. Three: whenever you talk about your company, always say you work there. Four: go back to the old discussions. If something said about you is wrong, correct it calmly, and with the facts.

2:20Your task for today

Your task for today: reopen the answers from your audit, and note the forums and discussions the engines cite for your questions. Pick two or three communities, read their rules, and write them down in the External sources tab.

2:45Next lesson

In the next lesson: reviews, directories and industry sites, where your name needs to be, with consistent facts. See you there.

Your task

Reopen the answers from your audit, and note the forums and discussions the engines cite for your questions. Pick two or three communities, read their rules, and write them down in the External sources tab.

Track it in the course worksheet.

Sources

Checked 19 October 2026.