Introducing Social Intelligence: Track How AI Cites Social & Community Sources

AI platforms don't just cite traditional websites—they increasingly rely on social media and community discussions as trusted sources. Reddit threads, YouTube videos, Stack Overflow answers, and forum discussions are becoming primary references in AI-generated responses.

Today, we're introducing Social Intelligence—a comprehensive dashboard that reveals exactly how AI platforms leverage social and community sources when discussing your brand, competitors, and industry.

Why Social Sources Matter for AI Visibility

Our analysis of hundreds of thousands of AI responses reveals a striking pattern: social and community sources account for a significant portion of AI citations. When users ask ChatGPT for product recommendations, Perplexity for software comparisons, or Claude for industry insights, these platforms frequently cite:

• Reddit discussions from relevant subreddits
• YouTube videos and channel content
• Stack Overflow answers for technical topics
• Twitter/X threads from industry voices
• LinkedIn posts from thought leaders
• Forum discussions from niche communities

This represents a fundamental shift in how authority is established online. AI platforms are increasingly trusting the collective wisdom of communities over traditional marketing content.

What Social Intelligence Reveals

Platform Distribution

See exactly which social platforms AI engines cite most frequently for your brand and industry. Track the breakdown across Reddit, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, and more—with real-time monitoring of citation trends.

Top Cited Communities

Discover the specific communities driving AI citations:

• Which subreddits are being cited when AI discusses your product category?
• Which YouTube channels appear as trusted sources?
• Which Twitter accounts are referenced as authorities?
• Which forums hold weight in your niche?

Each community shows total citations, average position in responses, and which AI providers cite them most.

Social Share of Voice

Track what percentage of all AI citations come from social sources. Monitor this metric over time to understand how AI platforms are shifting their trust toward community-generated content.

Platform Variation by Provider

Different AI platforms trust different social sources. ChatGPT might heavily cite Reddit, while Perplexity may favor YouTube. Social Intelligence breaks down citation patterns by provider, helping you prioritize where to build presence.

Citation Timeline

Visualize how social citations evolve over time. Identify trending communities, spot emerging platforms, and track the impact of your community engagement efforts.

Strategic Opportunities

Social Intelligence goes beyond monitoring—it identifies actionable opportunities:

Community Gap Analysis

Discover communities where competitors are being cited but you're not. If a specific subreddit consistently appears in AI responses about your product category and mentions competitors, that's a clear signal to engage.

Platform Prioritization

Not all social platforms matter equally for AI visibility. Social Intelligence shows you exactly where to focus your community building efforts based on actual AI citation patterns.

Content Strategy Insights

Understanding which types of social content get cited helps shape your content strategy:

• Are detailed Reddit AMAs getting picked up?
• Do YouTube tutorials drive more citations than promotional videos?
• Are Twitter threads being referenced for industry insights?

The Reddit Effect

Our research shows that Reddit has become one of the most cited social sources across AI platforms. This isn't surprising—Reddit communities offer:

• Authentic user experiences and reviews
• In-depth technical discussions
• Real-time industry conversations
• Diverse perspectives on products and services

AI platforms recognize this authenticity and increasingly cite Reddit as a primary source for user sentiment and product recommendations.

Beyond Monitoring: Building AI-Friendly Social Presence

Social Intelligence isn't just about tracking—it's about informing your strategy:

Engage Authentically: AI platforms can distinguish between genuine community participation and marketing spam. Focus on providing real value in communities.

Target High-Citation Communities: Prioritize communities that AI platforms actually cite, not just those with the most members.

Create Citable Content: Develop content formats that AI platforms favor—detailed answers, comprehensive guides, and authentic discussions.

Monitor Competitor Activity: Track which communities cite your competitors and understand what content is earning those citations.

Getting Started

Social Intelligence is available now in your Insights dashboard. Navigate to Insights → Social Intelligence to:

1. See your current social share of voice
2. Explore which platforms and communities cite your brand
3. Identify opportunities where competitors are cited but you're not
4. Track citation trends over time

As AI platforms continue to evolve their citation patterns, understanding and optimizing your social presence becomes increasingly critical for AI visibility.

Explore Social Intelligence and discover how AI platforms are citing social and community sources in your industry.