Grok is the AI that lives inside X (formerly Twitter). If you've been ignoring X because "it's just social media," this changes the calculus.
When someone asks Grok for a product recommendation, it doesn't just pull from static training data. It draws from the real-time firehose of X posts, conversations, and links. That means your social presence, particularly on X, may directly influence whether Grok recommends you.
This is different from every other LLM. And it creates an opportunity most brands haven't thought about yet.
How Grok works differently from other LLMs
Every AI assistant has its own data sources and quirks. Grok's defining characteristic is its deep integration with X.
Real-time X data. Grok has access to posts, threads, and conversations happening on X right now. If people are talking about your brand positively today, Grok might surface that in its responses today.
Web search capability. Grok also searches the broader web, so traditional content and SEO still matter. But the X layer adds a dimension other LLMs don't have.
Conversational, opinionated tone. Grok was designed to have more personality than most AI assistants. It tends to be more direct in its recommendations and sometimes references trending conversations or recent discourse from X.
Fresher context. Because of the real-time X access, Grok can be more current than LLMs that rely primarily on periodic training data updates. A brand that's trending on X today might get mentioned by Grok tomorrow.
1. Check where you stand with Grok
Before you optimize, get your baseline.
Ask Grok the high-intent questions your customers would ask:
- "What's a good [category] for [use case]?"
- "Best [product type] for [target audience]?"
- "Can you recommend a [your category]?"
Note whether you appear, where in the response, and who shows up instead. Run at least 10-15 different queries that cover your key topics.
Doing this manually gives you a snapshot. For continuous monitoring, Mentionable tracks Grok alongside four other LLMs automatically.
2. Build a real presence on X
This is the most direct lever you have with Grok, and it's the one that separates Grok optimization from every other LLM strategy.
Post consistently about your topic. Share insights, opinions, tips, and commentary about your niche. Not promotional content. Useful content. If you sell project management software, talk about productivity, team workflows, project planning. Build a reputation as someone worth following on the topic.
Engage in conversations. Reply to threads about your category. Add value to discussions. When someone asks "what tool do you use for X?" and others tag your brand, that signal matters.
Build your follower base thoughtfully. Grok likely weighs engagement signals. An account with 5,000 engaged followers who interact with your posts carries more weight than one with 50,000 inactive followers.
Share your best content. When you publish a guide, case study, or comparison, post it on X with useful context. Don't just drop a link. Add a takeaway or insight that makes people want to engage.
3. Get people talking about you on X
Your own posts matter, but what others say about you may matter even more.
Encourage customers to share experiences. When a customer has a win using your product, make it easy for them to share it on X. Don't beg for testimonials. Create moments worth sharing.
Engage with mentions. When people mention your brand on X, respond. Thank them. Add context. Active engagement around your brand creates more signal.
Participate in relevant communities. X has communities and regular conversations around most industries. Show up where your target audience gathers.
Connect with influencers in your space. When respected voices in your category mention your brand, that carries significant weight. Build genuine relationships, not transactional ones.
4. Don't neglect traditional content
Grok searches the web too, not just X. Your website content still matters.
Create clear, authoritative content. The same principles that work for ChatGPT and Perplexity apply here: comprehensive guides, direct answers, structured formatting.
Focus on high-intent pages. Comparison pages, use-case pages, and "best of" content are what Grok needs when someone asks for recommendations.
Keep content current. Grok values recency, partly because of its real-time orientation. Dated content is a disadvantage.
Build your broader web presence. Reviews on G2, Capterra. Mentions in industry publications. Podcast appearances. These external signals feed Grok's web-side understanding of your brand.
5. Use X-specific content strategies
Some content formats work particularly well on X and may influence Grok's understanding of your brand.
Threads that teach. Long-form X threads where you break down a topic step by step perform well and create dense topical signal around your brand. "Here's how we [solved a problem]. A thread." gives Grok rich context about your expertise.
Data and original insights. Share statistics, benchmarks, or original research findings. Posts with unique data get saved, shared, and referenced. They stand out from opinions.
Responses to industry questions. When someone on X asks a question about your category, a thoughtful, detailed reply builds your authority in Grok's view of your space.
Case studies and results. "We helped [type of customer] achieve [result]" posts, done without hype, build Grok's understanding of what your product actually does.
Common mistakes with Grok optimization
Being purely promotional on X. If every post is "Check out our new feature!" or "Sign up for our tool!", you're creating noise, not signal. Grok is looking for authority and relevance, not ads.
Ignoring X entirely. Some brands treat X as an afterthought. With Grok drawing directly from X data, that's a missed opportunity. You don't need to go viral. You need to be consistently present and valuable.
Buying followers or engagement. Fake signals won't help. Grok can likely distinguish between genuine engagement and purchased metrics. Authentic presence beats inflated numbers.
Only focusing on X. The X connection is Grok's differentiator, but it also uses web data. A strong X presence with a weak website won't get you far. You need both.
Ignoring what competitors do on X. If your competitors are more active, more helpful, and more visible on X, Grok will associate your category with them, not you. Pay attention to what's working in your space.
Grok compared to other LLMs
| Factor | Grok | ChatGPT | Perplexity | Gemini |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time X data | Yes | No | No | No |
| Web search | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Google) |
| Social signals weight | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Recency sensitivity | Very high | Moderate | High | High |
| Best unique lever | X presence | Training data | Citable content | Google SEO |
The pattern is clear: Grok rewards brands with strong, active social presence on X. This doesn't mean the other factors are irrelevant. It means X is your highest-leverage channel specifically for Grok visibility.
Realistic timeline
Week 1-2: Audit your Grok visibility. Assess your current X presence. Identify gaps.
Month 1: Establish a consistent X posting rhythm. Start engaging in relevant conversations. Create or improve key website content.
Month 2-3: Build momentum on X. Encourage customer mentions. Develop thought leadership threads. Grow authentic engagement.
Month 3+: Monitor Grok responses for changes. Correlate with your X activity. Adjust strategy based on what's working.
Social presence builds gradually. Don't expect overnight results, but consistent effort compounds faster than you might think on X.
Your next moves
Test Grok with your most important relevant queries. See who it recommends.
Then honestly assess your X presence. Are you active? Are people talking about you? Is your content about your niche or just about your product?
Start posting valuable content on X about your category. Not promotional stuff. Helpful, insightful, opinionated content that positions you as someone worth listening to.
Mentionable tracks your Grok visibility alongside ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude. That way you can see whether your X efforts are translating into Grok recommendations without manually testing every week.
