Large Language Models (LLMs) — like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, Perplexity, and Gemini — are shaping how people discover brands. Just like SEO changed how we think about Google rankings, “LLM mentions” are becoming the new digital visibility battleground.
In this guide, we’ll explain what LLM mentions are, why they matter for your marketing, and how to make sure these AI tools talk about you in the best light.
What Are LLM Mentions?
An LLM mention happens when an AI-generated response refers to your brand in a conversation.
It could be:
| Unlinked: Just the brand name in the text | Linked: Brand name + clickable link to your site |
| Example: “You can track your marketing campaigns using tools like Keitaro” | Example: “We recommend Keitaro Tracker for attribution tracking.” |
Mentions can be positive, neutral, or negative — and yes, sentiment matters.
LLM Mentions vs. AI Citations
- LLM Mentions = Brand is referenced in the text of the answer.
- AI Citations = AI links to a source it used to form the answer.
Sometimes you get both: “Keitaro is a popular attribution and ad performance tracker (source: keitaro.io).”
The dream scenario? Your brand is mentioned and linked, sending direct traffic your way.
Why LLM Mentions Matter for Your Marketing
People are starting to trust AI responses the same way they trust a friend’s recommendation. When an LLM suggests your brand, it can:
- Guide buying decisions – A neutral or positive mention can put you on the shortlist instantly.
- Cut out middle steps – Users might skip reading multiple reviews if the AI already “did the research.”
- Outrank competitors – If you’re mentioned more often (and more positively) than others, you win attention.
Example:
A marketer asks ChatGPT, “What’s the best attribution tool?” If Keitaro appears in the answer, that’s prime exposure. If it’s missing — you’re invisible in that conversation.
How Common Are LLM Mentions?
AI is already working its way into everyday search. According to Semrush research, popular AI show following stats:
- ChatGPT gets ~600M visits/month.
- Google AI Overviews appeared on over 13% of search results pages in March 2025.
- LLMs mention brands in 1 out of 4 to 2 out of 5 responses depending on the tool.
Bottom line: AI mentions are already influencing how people choose products — and the trend is only growing.
How to Get More LLM Mentions for Your Brand
Think of it like SEO, but for AI: the model needs to see and understand your brand to recommend it.
1. Get Featured in Context-rich Content
LLMs pull from web content — both in their training data and live lookups.
The more your brand appears in relevant, detailed online content, the more likely it gets mentioned.
Ideas:
- Guest posts on reputable industry blogs
- Participation in expert roundups (e.g., “Top 10 Attribution Tools”)
- Answering relevant questions on Quora, Reddit, or niche forums
- Partnering with influencers who create searchable, evergreen content
💡 Example:
If a blog lists “Best Tools for Customer Journey Tracking” and includes Keitaro with feature details, an LLM might cite it in future answers about Customer Journey tracking.
2. Publish In-depth, Niche-specific Content
Don’t just say you’re great — show it with detailed resources that match what people ask AI.
Ideas:
- Step-by-step guides (“How to Track Facebook Ads in Real Time with Keitaro”)
- Case studies with measurable results
- Comparison pages (“Keitaro vs. Google Analytics for Ad Tracking”)
- Industry-specific landing pages (“Conversion tracking for e-commerce”)
💡 Pro tip: LLMs love structured, clear explanations — the more specifics, the better.
3. Monitor and Improve Sentiment
It’s not enough to be mentioned — you want the AI to talk about you positively.
- Keep customer reviews strong.
- Publish stories that highlight your wins.
- Address criticism quickly and transparently.
Example: If early AI results say “Keitaro has a steep learning curve,” create beginner-friendly onboarding guides to change that narrative.
Right now, there’s no “official” dashboard from OpenAI or Google for brand mentions in AI. But you can:
- Run regular test prompts like “Best tools for [your niche]” and note when your brand appears.
- Monitor your web mentions with tools like Mention — LLMs often use the same sources.
- Compare your visibility against competitors to see who’s dominating AI recommendations.
The Future of LLM Mentions
In the next few years, LLM optimization will be as critical as SEO. Some even say that LLM mentions will overtake SEO completely as the research shows that SEM started working worse after the introduction of AI.
The brands that invest early into LLM optimization will:
- Shape how they’re portrayed in AI answers
- Win attention in high-trust environments
- Capture buyers before competitors are even mentioned
At Keitaro, we’re watching this shift closely — and helping marketers stay ahead.
Final Thought
Now, it’s not just about who talks about you in marketing — it’s about what the machines say.
Get mentioned. Get linked. Get chosen.
