Voices of Search // A Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Podcast Reddit vs. Google: The Future of AI Search
Jan 12, 2026
Danny Kirk, founder of ReadyReach and a Reddit marketing authority, reveals how he’s empowered over 500 brands through ethical strategies on Reddit. The conversation dives into how Reddit dominates AI citations despite its recent citation drop. Kirk shares his framework for authentic engagement that prioritizes reader value and discusses managing negative sentiment with a 'never feed the troll' approach. He emphasizes leveraging Reddit's unique community dynamics for impactful business results and warns e-commerce brands about potential risks posed by AI shopping features.
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Reddit Shapes AI Search And Brand Perception
- Reddit is a major source of human training data that shapes AI search results.
- Brands' reputations are increasingly influenced by Reddit conversations rather than owned channels.
Underdog Protein Bar Win On Reddit
- ReadyReach helped a seven-figure protein bar brand compete against a nine-figure incumbent by targeting niche Reddit communities.
- That organic approach gained traction and was subsequently picked up by AI search.
20% Still Means Powerful Influence
- Reddit's share of AI citations dropped from very high estimates to around 20% but remains significant.
- Even a 20% share is large enough to materially influence AI responses and brand outcomes.