{"id":15326,"date":"2026-02-20T19:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T19:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T19:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T19:46:11","slug":"how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/","title":{"rendered":"How a 200-Person Company Competes with a $160B Giant in AI Search"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At just under 200 employees, Descript is not the biggest name in video editing software.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not the most robust or the most popular, either.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s punching way above its weight, competing with much bigger companies (like Adobe, and CapCut) in LLM search.<\/p>\n<p>Using Semrush\u2019s AI Visibility score, you can see that Descript is competing closely with giant brands like Adobe.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Semrush \u2013 AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript\" alt=\"Semrush \u2013 AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.63\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/semrush-ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Descript found the way in.<\/p>\n<p>And so can you.<\/p>\n<p>In this SaaS LLM visibility case study, we\u2019ll break down exactly how Descript is getting seen.<\/p>\n<p>And more importantly, what you can copy to improve visibility for your own product.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Choosing_Clear_Niche_Messaging\" >Choosing Clear Niche Messaging<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Action_Item_Identify_and_Focus_on_Your_Niche_Market\" >Action Item: Identify and Focus on Your Niche Market<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Developing_Seriously_Helpful_Content\" >Developing Seriously Helpful Content<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Action_Item_Focus_Your_Content_on_Being_Helpful\" >Action Item: Focus Your Content on Being Helpful<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Showcasing_Images_and_Videos_of_Their_Product\" >Showcasing Images and Videos of Their Product<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Action_Item_Include_In-Product_Images_in_Your_Marketing_Content\" >Action Item: Include In-Product Images in Your Marketing Content<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Creating_Detailed_MoFuBoFu_Content\" >Creating Detailed MoFu\/BoFu Content<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Action_Item_Create_Citable_MoFu_and_BoFu_Content\" >Action Item: Create Citable MoFu and BoFu Content<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Building_Positive_Sentiment_With_Digital_PR_and_Affiliate_Marketing\" >Building Positive Sentiment With Digital PR and Affiliate Marketing<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Action_Item_Build_a_Strategy_to_Get_More_Mentions_Online\" >Action Item: Build a Strategy to Get More Mentions Online<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#Where_Descript_Could_Improve_Reddit_Marketing\" >Where Descript Could Improve: Reddit Marketing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/how-a-200-person-company-competes-with-a-160b-giant-in-ai-search\/#What_You_Can_Take_Away_from_This_SaaS_LLM_Visibility_Case_Study\" >What You Can Take Away from This SaaS LLM Visibility Case Study<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_Clear_Niche_Messaging\"><\/span>Choosing Clear Niche Messaging<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For years, Descript has been known as a podcast editing tool.<\/p>\n<p>That matters.<\/p>\n<p>Because when people talk about podcast editing, Descript comes up naturally.<\/p>\n<p>In blog posts.<\/p>\n<p>In forums.<\/p>\n<p>And now, in AI answers.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t accidental. Descript is clear about who it\u2019s for, and their content reflects that focus.<\/p>\n<p>Their product pages and blog posts consistently speak to one core audience: people who want to edit podcasts easily.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s why this matters:<\/p>\n<p>When I asked Google\u2019s AI Mode for the best software to edit podcasts \u2014 specifically as someone with no video editing skills \u2014 Descript was one of the first tools mentioned.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Video editing software\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Video editing software\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.84857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-video-editing-software.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>And what shows up second in the list of sources?<\/p>\n<p>One of Descript\u2019s own blog posts about podcast editing.<\/p>\n<p>Across Descript\u2019s own website and other third-party sources, this tool is regularly mentioned as ideal for podcasters.<\/p>\n<p>This matters because of a key difference between AI search and traditional SEO.<\/p>\n<p>LLMs don\u2019t just surface pages. They based their answers on query fan-outs.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what that means: AI creates multiple searches after the original query, and tries to find an answer that is most directly matched to what was asked.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"How LLM Query Fan-out Works\" alt=\"How LLM Query Fan-out Works\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1528571428571\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/how-llm-query-fan-out-works-scaled.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That\u2019s why even articles and websites that aren\u2019t ranking well in Google can still get cited by AI when they provide the most relevant, specific answer to what users are asking.<\/p>\n<p>Because Descript\u2019s content is tightly focused on one audience, one use case, one problem, it maps cleanly to those AI queries.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn\u2019t necessarily correlate to higher ranking in traditional search. In fact, Descript\u2019s traffic from traditional SEO has been steadily decreasing since its peak in 2024:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Organic Rankings \u2013 Descript \u2013 Estimated Traffic Trend\" alt=\"Organic Rankings \u2013 Descript \u2013 Estimated Traffic Trend\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.67428571428571\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/organic-rankings-descript-estimated-traffic-trend.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>But at the same time, branded traffic has increased.<\/p>\n<p>So even while the brand isn\u2019t succeeding in traditional search, more people are becoming aware of Descript and searching for the brand name specifically.<\/p>\n<p>Why? In part, because the brand is known for exactly what it does: podcast editing.<\/p>\n<p>AI knows that too. And I would bet that a higher amount of mentions in AI search is helping with brand recognition and influencing that increase in branded search traffic.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the point: Descript isn\u2019t just checking off boxes of what to talk about.<\/p>\n<p>The way they write \u2014 and the way they present their product \u2014 shows exactly who they\u2019re speaking to. They match the way their audience talks.<\/p>\n<p>Take the blog article on podcast editing that we mentioned above as an example.<\/p>\n<p>The copy flows naturally, includes quotes from an internal expert in the way she describes the problem and solution, and speaks in an easy way that matches the tone of the audience.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Copy flows naturally\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Copy flows naturally\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.96714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-copy-flows-naturally.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>As a byproduct of this natural way of writing and clear product position, their copy and content semantically matches what their audience is searching for.<\/p>\n<p>And their AI mentions keep increasing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Visibility Overview \u2013 Descript \u2013 AI Visibility\" alt=\"Visibility Overview \u2013 Descript \u2013 AI Visibility\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.86428571428571\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/visibility-overview-descript-ai-visibility.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Action_Item_Identify_and_Focus_on_Your_Niche_Market\"><\/span>Action Item: Identify and Focus on Your Niche Market<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Effort vs. Impact:<\/strong> Medium effort. High impact.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re trying to be all things to everyone, AI is less likely to recommend you for anything specific.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, narrow your focus like Descript does:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Homepage\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Homepage\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.52857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-homepage.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Of course, you also want to find balance.<\/p>\n<p>For example, \u201cPodcast editing software for true crime hosts who only record on Thursdays,\u201d may be a bit too niche.<\/p>\n<p>To get the narrowest viable version of your core audience, look at your most successful customers.<\/p>\n<p>Ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Who gets the most ROI from our product?<\/li>\n<li>Who uses it weekly \u2014 or daily?<\/li>\n<li>Which customers have become vocal advocates?<\/li>\n<li>What do those users have in common? (Role, company size, industry, workflow)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That overlap is your niche.<\/p>\n<p>Once that\u2019s clear, your messaging gets easier.<\/p>\n<p>You stop being an \u201cAll-in-one AI-powered platform for creators and teams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And start anchoring your product to a specific job: \u201cEdit podcasts and spoken audio, without technical complexity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then, your product becomes easier for AI systems to understand \u2014 and recommend \u2014 for specific use cases.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Further reading:<\/strong> Learn <a title=\"Audience Research: Stop Guessing What Your Buyers Care About\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/audience-research\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to do deep audience research<\/a>, along with a free audience research tracker template.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Developing_Seriously_Helpful_Content\"><\/span>Developing Seriously Helpful Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once you know who you\u2019re talking to, the next step is obvious: Help them.<\/p>\n<p>That idea isn\u2019t new.<\/p>\n<p>Helpful content has long been a ranking factor in traditional search.<\/p>\n<p>And in 2024, Google confirmed that their algorithm changes had reduced the appearance of low-quality content in search results by <a title=\"New ways we\u2019re tackling spammy, low-quality content on Search\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.google\/products\/search\/google-search-update-march-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">45%<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google \u2013 Low-quality results\" alt=\"Google \u2013 Low-quality results\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.87142857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-low-quality-results.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>But Descript\u2019s example (and plenty of others) shows how this also applies to AI search.<\/p>\n<p>Because clear, useful, unique content also drives LLM visibility.<\/p>\n<p>Descript doesn\u2019t rely on shallow blog posts or surface-level explanations.<\/p>\n<p>They create:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Instructional blog content that answers real questions<\/li>\n<li>Help Center pages that actually solve problems<\/li>\n<li>Product pages that clearly explain what features do \u2014 and who they\u2019re for<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They also publish content that isn\u2019t strictly about their product, but is highly relevant to their audience.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<p>When I asked Google\u2019s AI Mode how much YouTubers actually make, one of the cited sources was a Descript blog post on the topic.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 How much YouTubers make\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 How much YouTubers make\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.79285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-how-much-youtubers-make.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That article includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Data from recent studies<\/li>\n<li>Real-world examples<\/li>\n<li>A YouTube earnings calculator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s comprehensive. And it\u2019s written from an expert perspective.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example: When I asked how much it costs to start a YouTube channel, I was again directed to an article from Descript.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Starting YouTube channel\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Starting YouTube channel\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.95857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-starting-youtube-channel.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That page includes a detailed FAQ and embedded video content from Descript\u2019s own YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Create a YouTube channel\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Create a YouTube channel\" data-aspect-ratio=\"2.9061538461538\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-create-a-youtube-channel.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>The pattern is clear.<\/p>\n<p>Depth gets cited. Surface-level content gets ignored.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Action_Item_Focus_Your_Content_on_Being_Helpful\"><\/span>Action Item: Focus Your Content on Being Helpful<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Effort vs. Impact:<\/strong> High effort. Medium impact.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve defined your niche, focus your content on what actually helps them.<\/p>\n<p>Descript doesn\u2019t target video editing professionals. So, they don\u2019t show up in those searches.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"ChatGPT \u2013  AI tends toward bigger players\" alt=\"ChatGPT \u2013 AI tends toward bigger players\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.95142857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chatgpt-ai-tends-toward-bigger-players.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>They focus on content creators and podcasters. And their content reflects that.<\/p>\n<p>To do the same:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Talk to people in your niche industry<\/li>\n<li>Ask about their workflows, goals, and sticking points<\/li>\n<li>Learn what slows them down<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> If you can\u2019t speak directly to people in your audience or customer base, talk to your customer-facing teams. Customer success and sales teams have daily contact with your core audience. So, they\u2019re in a better position to give you insights into what this audience cares about.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Online research also helps.<\/p>\n<p>Find relevant subreddits to see what people are talking about. Check the comments section of relevant YouTube videos.<\/p>\n<p>Look for recurring questions and complaints.<\/p>\n<p>For example, the Descript team might peruse the r\/podcasting subreddit to learn about their audience\u2019s questions and opinions.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/podcasting \u2013 Subreddit\" alt=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/podcasting \u2013 Subreddit\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1071428571429\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/reddit-r-podcasting-subreddit.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>The goal: understanding.<\/p>\n<p>When you deeply understand your audience\u2019s day-to-day reality, creating helpful content becomes much easier.<\/p>\n<p>And your content can become the source for AI answers.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, getting citations back to your website isn\u2019t the same as getting direct brand mentions. However, it\u2019s still an opportunity to build awareness and authority.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, building content around relevant core topics helps reinforce your niche messaging.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Further reading:<\/strong> Read the full guide on <a title=\"10 Ways to Create Helpful Content + Examples and Checklist\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/helpful-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to create helpful content<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Showcasing_Images_and_Videos_of_Their_Product\"><\/span>Showcasing Images and Videos of Their Product<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>LLMs don\u2019t just read text anymore.<\/p>\n<p>They interpret visuals too.<\/p>\n<p>With image-processing models like contrastive language\u2013image pre-training (CLIP,) AI systems can understand what\u2019s happening inside screenshots and videos \u2014 not just the words around them.<\/p>\n<p>And those visuals now show up directly in AI answers. Especially for SaaS product queries in tools like ChatGPT.<\/p>\n<p>For example, when I search for \u201cbest CRM software for a small business,\u201d the top AI result includes images of the actual product interface.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"ChatGPT \u2013  Best CRM software for a small business\" alt=\"ChatGPT \u2013 Best CRM software for a small business\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.95\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chatgpt-best-crm-software-for-a-small-business.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That\u2019s a shift.<\/p>\n<p>Highly polished mockups matter less. Real, in-product visuals matter more.<\/p>\n<p>Which is why Descript shows up like this in ChatGPT:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"ChatGPT \u2013  Best software to edit podcasts\" alt=\"ChatGPT \u2013 Best software to edit podcasts\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1242857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chatgpt-best-software-to-edit-podcasts.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Descript consistently shows real product images and videos across product pages, Help Center articles, and blog content.<\/p>\n<p>These aren\u2019t decorative.<\/p>\n<p>They show:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What the product looks like<\/li>\n<li>How features work<\/li>\n<li>What users should expect when they log in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a result, those same images and videos get pulled into AI answers \u2014 often with a link back to Descript\u2019s site.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"ChatGPT \u2013  Link back to Descript\u2019s site\" alt=\"ChatGPT \u2013 Link back to Descript's site\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.81714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chatgpt-link-back-to-descripts-site.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>In this case, the link goes back to a very in-depth Help Center guide to getting started with podcast editing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript Help Center\" alt=\"Descript Help Center\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.74714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-help-center.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>And most Interestingly, that\u2019s a near-perfect semantic match to the original query.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Action_Item_Include_In-Product_Images_in_Your_Marketing_Content\"><\/span>Action Item: Include In-Product Images in Your Marketing Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Effort vs. Impact:<\/strong> Low effort. Medium impact.<\/p>\n<p>Start with the basics.<\/p>\n<p>For every feature you highlight, ask one question: Can someone see this working?<\/p>\n<p>Then act on it. Add real screenshots of your core product screens to key product pages. Replace abstract diagrams with in-product visuals where possible.<\/p>\n<p>Next, expand beyond product pages.<\/p>\n<p>Mention a feature in a blog post? Include a screenshot of it in use.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Mention in a blog post\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Mention in a blog post\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.97142857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-mention-in-a-blog-post.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Explaining a workflow in a Help Center article? Show each step visually.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Importing a Zoom recording into a new project\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Importing a Zoom recording into a new project\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.98857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-importing-a-zoom-recording-into-a-new-project.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Teaching a process? Record a short screen capture instead of relying on text alone.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Short screen capture\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Short screen capture\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.88428571428571\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-short-screen-capture.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>The goal is clarity.<\/p>\n<p>Clear visuals help users understand your product faster. And they give AI systems concrete material to reuse in answers.<\/p>\n<p>Which makes your product easier to recommend \u2014 and easier to recognize \u2014 inside AI search.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Creating_Detailed_MoFuBoFu_Content\"><\/span>Creating Detailed MoFu\/BoFu Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Content mapped to different awareness levels performs especially well in AI search.<\/p>\n<p>Descript understands this.<\/p>\n<p>They don\u2019t just publish top-of-funnel guides. They create content for product-aware and solution-aware searches, too.<\/p>\n<p>When you search in ChatGPT for video creation or editing tools, Descript often appears in the results.<\/p>\n<p>But more importantly, their <em>own content<\/em> is cited as a source.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"ChatGPT \u2013  Video Creation &amp; Editing Tools\" alt=\"ChatGPT \u2013 Video Creation &amp; Editing Tools\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.81428571428571\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chatgpt-video-creation-and-editing-tools.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>In this example, the cited source is a Descript-owned \u201cbest of\u201d article comparing video tools.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Blog Article\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Blog Article\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.64\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-blog-article.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Instead of generic recommendations, the page:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breaks tools down by specific use cases<\/li>\n<li>Includes clear pros and cons<\/li>\n<li>Explains who each option is best for<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Best For\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Best For\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.5661538461538\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-best-for.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Descript follows this same pattern with multiple \u201cbest of\u201d lists and comparison pages against their main competitors.<\/p>\n<p>The payoff?<\/p>\n<p>When I asked AI to compare podcast video editing tools, Descript appeared with clear labels explaining:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Who it\u2019s best for<\/li>\n<li>Key features<\/li>\n<li>When it makes sense to choose it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Comparisom Table\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Comparisom Table\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.70857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-comparisom-table.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That context helps AI recommend Descript to the right people (not everyone).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Action_Item_Create_Citable_MoFu_and_BoFu_Content\"><\/span>Action Item: Create Citable MoFu and BoFu Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Effort vs. Impact:<\/strong> High effort. High impact.<\/p>\n<p>Different awareness levels need different content.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Customer Awareness Levels\" alt=\"Customer Awareness Levels\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.76571428571429\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/customer-awareness-levels.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>To increase product-level AI visibility, focus on <strong>Product Aware<\/strong> and <strong>Solution Aware<\/strong> queries.<\/p>\n<p>For <strong>Product Aware audiences<\/strong>, create:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comparison pages<\/li>\n<li>\u201cBest alternative\u201d posts<\/li>\n<li>Owned \u201cbest of\u201d lists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want more ideas?<\/p>\n<p>Talk to your sales team.<\/p>\n<p>Ask them: What features are convincing people to buy? Which competitors are commonly brought up in sales conversations?<\/p>\n<p>Those answers map directly to comparison content AI likes to cite.<\/p>\n<p>For <strong>Solution Aware audiences<\/strong>, focus on how-to content that naturally features your product.<\/p>\n<p>For example, when I asked Google\u2019s AI Mode how to reduce background noise from a microphone, it referenced a Descript how-to article.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Prompt \u2013 Sources\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Prompt \u2013 Sources\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.67714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-prompt-sources.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>This same pattern repeats itself across many of Descript\u2019s blog posts: Find a clear problem, give a clear solution, add product mentions naturally.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s all about finding the right questions to answer.<\/p>\n<p>To find these opportunities faster, use <a title=\"Semrush AI Visibility | Win Every Search. From Traditional SEO to AI Discovery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.semrush.com\/ai-seo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Semrush\u2019s AI Visibility Toolkit<\/a>. This data is powered by Semrush\u2019s AI prompt database and clickstream data, organized into meaningful topics.<\/p>\n<p>Head to \u201c<strong>Competitor Research<\/strong>\u201d and review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shared topics where competitors appear<\/li>\n<li>Prompts where they earn more AI visibility than you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Topics &amp; Prompts\" alt=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Topics &amp; Prompts\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.71857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript-topics-and-prompts.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Then, dig into the specific questions behind those prompts.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Prompt\" alt=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Prompt\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.81714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript-prompt.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>The goal isn\u2019t simply \u201cmore content\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s answering the right questions \u2014 at the right stage \u2014 with content AI can confidently cite.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_Positive_Sentiment_With_Digital_PR_and_Affiliate_Marketing\"><\/span>Building Positive Sentiment With Digital PR and Affiliate Marketing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>AI visibility isn\u2019t earned on your website alone.<\/p>\n<p>LLMs look for signals across the web.<\/p>\n<p>This is what we call consensus. And it means that positive sentiment has to exist outside your owned channels.<\/p>\n<p>Descript is doing this in two ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Digital PR on sites AI already trusts<\/li>\n<li>A creator-friendly affiliate program that drives third-party mentions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s how it works: Google\u2019s AI Mode tends to favor certain websites to source when answering queries about software.<\/p>\n<p>Semrush\u2019s visibility research for AI in SaaS from December 2025 shows these sites dominate citations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Zapier<\/li>\n<li>PCMag<\/li>\n<li>Gartner<\/li>\n<li>LinkedIn<\/li>\n<li>G2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Semrush \u2013 AI Visibility \u2013 Google AI Mode\" alt=\"Semrush \u2013 AI Visibility \u2013 Google AI Mode\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.2672727272727\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/semrush-ai-visibility-google-ai-mode.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Here\u2019s what\u2019s interesting.<\/p>\n<p>Descript is mentioned in articles across nearly all of these top sources.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in software listicles like this one on Zapier:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Zapier Blog \u2013 Best transcription apps\" alt=\"Zapier Blog \u2013 Best transcription apps\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1307692307692\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/zapier-blog-best-transcription-apps.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Or in real-world experience articles like this one on Medium:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Medium \u2013 Descript article\" alt=\"Medium \u2013 Descript article\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.83538461538462\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/medium-descript-article.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Or in their clear listings on reviews sites like Gartner and G2:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Reviews\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Reviews\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.51\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-reviews.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>When AI systems cite those favored sources, Descript comes along for the ride.<\/p>\n<p>Not because it\u2019s the biggest brand.<\/p>\n<p>But because it\u2019s present where AI is already looking.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013Software for video transcription\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013Software for video transcription\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.80571428571429\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-software-for-video-transcription.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>The second lever is Descript\u2019s affiliate program.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s simple:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$25 per new subscriber<\/li>\n<li>30-day attribution window<\/li>\n<li>Monthly payouts<\/li>\n<li>No minimums<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Descript \u2013 Affiliate\" alt=\"Descript \u2013 Affiliate\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.81714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/descript-affiliate.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Those are solid incentives.<\/p>\n<p>And they lead to more creator-driven content across the web.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a YouTube walkthrough from VP Land explains how to use Descript and includes an affiliate link in the description.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"YouTube-video \u2013 Descript \u2013 Affiliate link in description\" alt=\"YouTube-video \u2013 Descript \u2013 Affiliate link in description\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1742857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/youtube-video-descript-affiliate-link-in-description.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>When I later asked Google\u2019s AI Mode how to use Descript, that exact video was cited as a source.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013Video as a source\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013Video as a source\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.83285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-video-as-a-source.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That\u2019s the pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Affiliate content creates citable, trusted references that AI systems reuse.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Action_Item_Build_a_Strategy_to_Get_More_Mentions_Online\"><\/span>Action Item: Build a Strategy to Get More Mentions Online<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Effort vs. Impact:<\/strong> High effort. High impact.<\/p>\n<p>Getting third party mentions is all about building relationships.<\/p>\n<p>First, <strong>build relationships with publishers, starting with the ones AI already trusts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you\u2019re not an enterprise SaaS company with a full-sized PR team, this is still possible.<\/p>\n<p>Granted, it\u2019s not the easy route \u2014 but when you find the right websites and perform regular outreach to those teams, you can get your brand on these sites.<\/p>\n<p>Before you start outreach, get your bearings.<\/p>\n<p>Start by going back to Semrush\u2019s AI Visibility Toolkit. Head to the \u201c<strong>Competitor Research<\/strong>\u201d tab and select \u201c<strong>Sources<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Sources\" alt=\"AI Visibility \u2013 Competitor Research \u2013 Descript \u2013 Sources\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.94285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript-sources.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>This shows you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which sites LLMs cite for your category<\/li>\n<li>Where competitors are already getting mentioned<\/li>\n<li>Gaps where your brand doesn\u2019t show up (yet)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Those sites become your shortlist.<\/p>\n<p>Outreach works better when you\u2019re aiming at sources AI already relies on.<\/p>\n<p>Second, <strong>build relationships with creators<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Affiliate programs work when creators want to talk about you.<\/p>\n<p>So, build an affiliate program people actually want to be part of.<\/p>\n<p>This means the program has to be easy to join, with clear terms that make it worth their time.<\/p>\n<p>At a minimum, make sure you have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A simple signup<\/li>\n<li>Transparent tracking<\/li>\n<li>Reliable payouts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> Use a tool like <a title=\"PartnerStack\" href=\"https:\/\/partnerstack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PartnerStack<\/a> to handle all of the details automatically. Better signups, better tracking, and automated payouts build trust with your affiliates.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you need inspiration, research <a title=\"11 High Paying Affiliate Programs to Boost Your Income\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/high-paying-affiliate-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">top affiliate programs<\/a> to learn more about the conditions creators expect.<\/p>\n<p>But most importantly: Treat affiliates as distribution partners, not just a side channel.<\/p>\n<p>This means enabling them with clear positioning on your product, example use cases, demo workflows, screenshots they can reuse, and other resources.<\/p>\n<p>The better you equip them, the stronger their recommendations will be.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have this set up, track the results.<\/p>\n<p>Use AI visibility data to see:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which publisher relationships are turning into citations in AI search<\/li>\n<li>Which creators show up in AI answers<\/li>\n<li>Which formats perform best<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Then, double down.<\/p>\n<p>Now that we\u2019ve discussed what Descript is doing well, let\u2019s look at where there\u2019s room for improvement.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Descript_Could_Improve_Reddit_Marketing\"><\/span>Where Descript Could Improve: Reddit Marketing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Descript is doing a great job in many areas that are important for AI search visibility.<\/p>\n<p>That said, there\u2019s one area they\u2019re missing out on: Reddit.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, Reddit matters. A lot.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s still one of the most-cited sources in Google\u2019s AI Mode.<\/p>\n<p>And in almost all of the searches I tested above, Reddit was cited as a source (especially conversations in the r\/podcasting subreddit).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Reddit sources\" alt=\"Google AI Mode \u2013 Reddit sources\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.86\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/google-ai-mode-reddit-sources.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Here\u2019s the problem: right now, Reddit is not doing Descript any favors.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few thread titles I found just by searching for Descript in a podcasting subreddit:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/podcasting \u2013 Negative threads\" alt=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/podcasting \u2013 Negative threads\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.882\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/reddit-r-podcasting-negative-threads.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>And yes, <a title=\"r\/podcasting subreddit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/podcasting\/comments\/1jct409\/best_tools_or_programs_to_create_reelsclips_of\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">there are positive mentions of Descript<\/a>. But they\u2019re buried under a wave of negative sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>When LLMs scan Reddit for sentiment, that unbalance matters.<\/p>\n<p>AI wants to see consensus. So when Reddit skews negative, recommendations may weaken, and alternatives get surfaced instead.<\/p>\n<p>Even when the product is strong.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why, while Descript\u2019s AI visibility is good, it\u2019s still not as good as it could be. And that vulnerability could hurt them in the long run, even if they\u2019re still doing everything else right.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some ways that Descript (and you) could turn the tides on Reddit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid promoting and start participating:<\/strong> Reddit punishes marketing language. Helpful, honest comments perform better than posts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Respond to criticism directly (when appropriate):<\/strong> Not defensively, but with clear explanations and fixes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be present before there\u2019s a problem:<\/strong> Accounts that only show up during damage control don\u2019t build trust<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus on comments, not posts:<\/strong> High-value comments in active threads outperform standalone branded posts<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monitor brand mention weekly:<\/strong> Focus especially on high-intent subreddits. In Descript\u2019s case, that could be r\/podcasting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To be fair, it seems like Descript is taking steps in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p>As of December 2025, the Descript team has taken control of a dedicated brand subreddit, with PMM Gabe at the helm.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/Descript- \u2013 Team\" alt=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/Descript- \u2013 Team\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.1366666666667\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/reddit-r-descript-team.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>And the team\u2019s responses feel very Reddit-friendly, not using marketing jargon or being pushy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/Descript \u2013 Filler Words\" alt=\"Reddit \u2013 r\/Descript \u2013 Filler Words\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.94\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/reddit-r-descript-filler-words.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>But popular threads here still have very little interaction with the Descript team. And there seems to be very few (if any) comments from the Descript team outside of this branded subreddit.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a step in the right direction, but there\u2019s still a lot to work on.<\/p>\n<p>Done right, Reddit becomes a sentiment stabilizer and a stronger input source for AI answers.<\/p>\n<p>Ignore it, and Reddit can become a liability.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: for AI visibility, silence isn\u2019t neutral.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Further reading:<\/strong> If Reddit feels like a whole other world, we\u2019ve got you covered. Read our full <a title=\"Reddit Marketing in 3 Hours\/Week: From 0 Karma to Real Cred\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/reddit-marketing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to Reddit Marketing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-further-reading.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_You_Can_Take_Away_from_This_SaaS_LLM_Visibility_Case_Study\"><\/span>What You Can Take Away from This SaaS LLM Visibility Case Study<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Descript isn\u2019t winning AI visibility because it\u2019s the biggest brand.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s winning because it\u2019s clear, focused, and consistently helpful.<\/p>\n<p>None of that is accidental.<\/p>\n<p>And none of it requires massive scale.<\/p>\n<p>You can get started on this today by choosing one key action to work on.<\/p>\n<p>Use the effort vs. impact lens from this article to choose where to start.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Add in-product screenshots and videos: Low effort, medium impact<\/li>\n<li>Tighten your niche messaging: Medium effort, high impact<\/li>\n<li>Build citable MoFu\/BoFu content: High effort, medium impact<\/li>\n<li>Invest in digital PR, affiliates, and community participation: High effort, high impact<\/li>\n<li>Create seriously helpful content: High effort, high impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Effort vs. Impact\" alt=\"Effort vs. Impact\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.74\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/impact-vs-effort.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Pick one, start there. AI search visibility tools for SaaS companies \u2014 like Semrush\u2019s AI Visibility Toolkit \u2014 can help you see exactly where you stand today, and where you can improve.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: LLM visibility isn\u2019t about chasing algorithms.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about making your product easier to understand, easier to trust, and easier to recommend.<\/p>\n<p>Do that consistently \u2014 and AI search will follow.<\/p>\n<p>Want to learn how it all works on a deeper level? Read our <a title=\"LLM Visibility: The SEO Metric No One Is Reporting On (Yet)\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/llm-visibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LLM visibility guide<\/a> to discover even more ways to increase your brand mentions and citations in AI search.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/saas-llm-visibility-case-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How a 200-Person Company Competes with a $160B Giant in AI Search<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Backlinko<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At just under 200 employees, Descript is not the biggest name in video editing software. It\u2019s not the most robust or the most popular, either. But it\u2019s punching way above its weight, competing with much bigger companies (like Adobe, and CapCut) in LLM search. Using Semrush\u2019s AI Visibility score, you can see that Descript is competing closely with giant brands like Adobe. Descript found the way in. And so can you. In this SaaS LLM visibility case study, we\u2019ll break down exactly how Descript is getting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backlinko"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/semrush-ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript-yOKRsK-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/semrush-ai-visibility-competitor-research-descript-yOKRsK-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/craig\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}