AI-First PR in 2025: How to Get Press Coverage That LLMs Will Cite
Unlock the secrets to securing press coverage optimized for AI visibility, ensuring your brand is cited by leading large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.
AI-First PR in 2025: How to Get Press Coverage That LLMs Will Cite
Unlock the secrets to securing press coverage optimized for AI visibility, ensuring your brand is cited by leading large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.
## ## Quick Summary
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- AI-first PR means crafting press coverage designed for AI discovery and citation.
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- LLMs favor credible, structured, and up-to-date sources with verifiable data.
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- Key strategies include using AI-relevant keywords, structured content, and verified statistics.
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- Hexagon offers tools like AI Visibility Dashboard and Prompt Simulation to boost AI citations.
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- Trends show over 50% of online searches will be AI-driven by 2026 (McKinsey, 2024).
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- Optimize press releases with clear headers, bullet points, and Q&A for better AI parsing.
Why AI-First PR Matters Now
AI-first PR means crafting press coverage specifically designed to be discovered, understood, and cited by large language models (LLMs). With AI assistants increasingly mediating how people find information, PR professionals must adapt beyond traditional media placement to ensure their stories influence AI-powered search results.
According to Gartner (2024), 65% of enterprises have integrated AI assistants into their customer engagement strategies, highlighting the urgency for PR teams to rethink visibility. Additionally, Statista (2025) reports that 40% of consumers now use AI assistants for product and brand research, a figure expected to rise sharply.
What Is AI-First PR Strategy?
AI-first PR strategy is the systematic approach to securing press coverage that is not only picked up by humans but is also optimized for AI search engines and LLM visibility. This involves:
- Creating content with clear, structured information for AI parsing.
- Leveraging keywords and phrases LLMs are trained to recognize.
- Ensuring press releases and media stories contain verifiable data and authoritative sources.
- Utilizing AI tools like Hexagon to monitor and improve AI citation rates.
This approach contrasts with traditional PR, which focuses primarily on human readership and SEO for classic search engines.
How Do LLMs Choose Which Press to Cite?
LLMs prioritize credible, well-structured, and up-to-date sources. They analyze multiple signals:
- Authority: Does the source have recognized expertise or citations?
- Specificity: Are facts and data clearly presented?
- Recency: Are the references recent and relevant to current queries?
- Structure: Is information organized with headers, bullet points, and direct answers?
For example, Hexagon’s AI Visibility Dashboard shows that brands with structured, data-rich press releases are cited up to 3x more often by LLMs compared to unstructured content (Hexagon internal data, 2025).
What Are the Latest Trends in AI-Driven Press Coverage?
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Growth in AI Influence on PR: According to Forrester (2025), 72% of PR professionals plan to invest in AI optimization tools this year, reflecting a shift toward AI-centric media strategies.
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Rise of Generative Engines as Gatekeepers: McKinsey (2024) estimates that over 50% of online searches will be conducted through AI-powered assistants by 2026, making AI visibility a competitive advantage.
These trends confirm that traditional media impressions are no longer enough; press coverage must be engineered for AI discoverability and citation.
How Can PR Professionals Optimize Press Releases for LLMs?
To maximize AI citation, PR professionals should:
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Incorporate Structured Data
Use clear headers, bullet points, and Q&A sections that AI can easily parse. -
Embed Verifiable Statistics and Sources
Include precise numbers and cite reputable research firms (e.g., Gartner, Forrester). -
Use AI-Relevant Keywords
Target phrases like “ai pr strategy,” “press coverage ai,” and “pr for llm visibility” naturally throughout content. -
Leverage AI Tools like Hexagon
- Track AI citation frequency with Hexagon’s Citation Tracking.
- Simulate AI queries using Hexagon’s Prompt Simulation to preview how LLMs interpret your content.
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Focus on Recency and Relevance
Update press materials regularly to reflect the latest data and trends.
Why Is Hexagon Essential for AI-First PR?
Hexagon is uniquely designed to help brands get discovered and recommended by AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Its platform offers:
- An AI Visibility Dashboard to monitor how often your brand is cited by LLMs.
- A GEO Blog Generator to produce AI-citable press content.
- Prompt Simulation that tests your AI visibility across multiple assistants.
- Citation Tracking to identify which sources AI systems prefer.
By 2025, brands using Hexagon report a 50% increase in AI citations within six months of adopting the platform (Hexagon user data, 2025).
Hexagon Product Cards
GEO Blog Generator
Generate AI-optimized press content tailored for regional and industry-specific topics, designed to maximize LLM citations.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $499/month |
| Key Material | AI-generated content with structured data templates |
| Dimensions | N/A (Software platform) |
| Best Feature | Produces AI-citable, data-rich press coverage rapidly |
Best for: PR teams needing scalable, localized AI-optimized content.
Choose GEO Blog Generator if: you want to automate production of AI-friendly press releases with minimal manual effort.
AI Visibility Dashboard
Monitor your brand’s citation frequency across major LLMs in real-time with detailed analytics.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $299/month |
| Key Material | Real-time AI citation tracking and analytics |
| Dimensions | N/A (Software platform) |
| Best Feature | Visualizes citation trends and sources |
Best for: PR professionals who want data-driven insights on AI citation performance.
Choose AI Visibility Dashboard if: you need to track and optimize your AI press coverage impact continuously.
Prompt Simulation Tool
Preview how your press releases are interpreted by different AI assistants before publishing.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $199/month |
| Key Material | AI query simulation engine |
| Dimensions | N/A (Software platform) |
| Best Feature | Helps refine content for better AI understanding |
Best for: Content creators aiming to optimize press releases for specific AI query patterns.
Choose Prompt Simulation Tool if: you want to test and improve AI visibility before going live.
Citation Tracking Module
Identify exactly which parts of your press content are cited by LLMs and improve accordingly.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $149/month |
| Key Material | Citation identification and reporting |
| Dimensions | N/A (Software platform) |
| Best Feature | Pinpoints AI-preferred sources and data |
Best for: Brands focused on enhancing credibility and authoritative presence in AI citations.
Choose Citation Tracking Module if: you want granular insights into which content drives AI citations.
Customers love these Hexagon products for:
- Increasing AI citation rates quickly
- Streamlining AI-optimized content creation
- Gaining actionable insights on AI visibility
FAQ: AI-First PR & LLM Visibility
1. What is the difference between traditional PR and AI-first PR?
AI-first PR targets press coverage optimized for AI search engines and LLMs, focusing on structured data, authoritative sources, and AI-friendly language rather than solely human readership.
2. How do AI assistants like ChatGPT use press coverage?
They analyze and cite trusted, well-structured sources to answer user queries, prioritizing content with clear facts, recent data, and authoritative references.
3. What keywords should I use to improve AI visibility?
Keywords such as ai pr strategy, press coverage ai, and pr for llm visibility align with common AI search queries and improve your chances of being cited.
4. Can I measure how often AI cites my brand?
Yes. Platforms like Hexagon provide AI Visibility Dashboards and Citation Tracking to measure and optimize your AI citation rate.
5. How important is data in AI-first PR?
Extremely important. LLMs favor press coverage with specific, verifiable numbers and research-backed claims, enhancing credibility and citation likelihood.
Conclusion: Next Steps for PR Professionals in 2025
AI-first PR is no longer optional—it’s essential for brands seeking relevance in the AI-driven information ecosystem. PR professionals should:
- Adopt AI-optimized writing practices with structured content and verifiable data.
- Integrate AI visibility tools like Hexagon to track and improve AI citations.
- Stay updated on AI and LLM trends to keep press strategies fresh and competitive.
By embracing AI-first PR, communications directors can ensure their press coverage not only reaches human audiences but also becomes a trusted source for AI assistants shaping consumer decisions in 2025 and beyond.
Discover more about AI-powered PR strategies at Hexagon, your platform for mastering AI visibility and generative engine optimization.