Comparison Guide

AI Visibility vs PR Agencies

PR builds awareness through media. AI visibility builds recommendations where buyers actually research. Here's how they compare for driving real business results.

The Bottom Line

PR builds brand awareness. AI visibility drives purchase consideration. PR is valuable for major announcements and brand building, but it doesn't directly influence the AI assistants your prospects use daily. For capturing demand at the research stage, AI visibility delivers faster, more measurable results at a lower cost.

Investment Comparison

How the costs and returns compare between AI visibility and PR.

Typical monthly cost
AI Visibility$4,500
PR Agency$10,000 - $25,000
Time to measurable results
AI Visibility2-4 weeks
PR Agency3-6 months
ROI tracking
AI VisibilityDirect attribution
PR AgencyBrand lift studies
Effort to maintain
AI VisibilityLow (automated monitoring)
PR AgencyHigh (ongoing pitching)

Capability Comparison

What each approach can and can't do for your brand.

Capability
AI Visibility
PR Agency
Gets you mentioned in AI responses
Builds media coverage
Direct ROI tracking
Scales without more headcount
Creates lasting content assets
Targets specific buyer queries
Results within 30 days
Builds general brand awareness

Key Differences

Fundamental differences in how these approaches drive results.

Precision vs. Broadcast

PR broadcasts your message hoping the right people see it. AI visibility puts you in front of users at the exact moment they're researching solutions.

Measurable vs. Estimated

PR success is measured in impressions and sentiment. AI visibility is measured in actual recommendations, mentions, and resulting traffic.

Compounding vs. Fleeting

PR coverage has a short shelf life. AI visibility compounds—once AI learns to recommend you, it continues doing so.

Predictable vs. Variable

AI visibility delivers consistent, predictable results. PR outcomes vary wildly based on news cycles and journalist relationships.

See if AI is recommending your competitors

Get a free visibility audit to see how your brand appears when prospects ask AI for recommendations—and what you can do about it.