Reddit, forums and AI answers
Reddit and other forums are among the sources AI assistants and Google cite most for recommendation questions, because they hold first-hand experience in people's own words. Google and OpenAI both signed data partnerships with Reddit in 2024. For brands, the honest route is to take part as yourself, help first, and let users mention you. Astroturfing gets accounts banned and threads deleted.
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Why AI cites forums
For "what's the best X" questions, assistants look for evidence of real use. Forum threads deliver it: someone asks, several people answer with what they tried. Reddit threads also rank highly in Google for many queries, which puts them in the retrieval step of every engine that uses Google or Bing results. Google announced a data partnership with Reddit in February 2024, and OpenAI followed in May 2024.
How to take part without astroturfing
- Use a real account with your name and role in the profile. Subreddit rules often require disclosure.
- Answer the question first. If someone asks how to get press coverage, explain the options, including ones you do not sell.
- Mention your product only when it is a genuine fit, and say it is yours.
- Read each community's rules. Many ban self-promotion outright or allow it only in specific threads.
- Never buy upvotes, use sock-puppet accounts or pay for fake reviews. Moderators catch it, and it can follow your brand.
Where to look
Run your category prompts in ChatGPT and Perplexity and note which threads they cite. Search Google for "[your category] reddit". Beyond Reddit: Hacker News, Indie Hackers, Stack Overflow, Quora, product-specific forums and Discord or Slack communities with public archives. For launches specifically, see how to post a Show HN.
Questions people ask
Should I create a subreddit for my brand?
Only if you have enough users to keep it active. An empty subreddit does little. Taking part in existing communities is more useful.
Can I pay Redditors to mention my product?
Undisclosed paid endorsements break Reddit's rules and, in many countries, advertising law. Reddit sells ads if you want paid reach.