AI Hustle Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Peec AI Raises $21M While Users Replace Google
Hosts: Jaeden Schafer & Jamie McCauley
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jaeden and Jamie dive into the rapid shift from traditional search engines like Google to AI-driven answer engines such as ChatGPT and Claude. They explore the rising importance of "Generative Engine Optimization" (GEO), spotlighting Peec AI—a Berlin-based startup that just raised $21M to help brands and businesses rank within these new AI-powered platforms. Through lively banter, hands-on examples, and actionable tips, the hosts discuss how this emerging industry is transforming digital discovery and what businesses can do today to stay visible as AI supplant search.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Google-to-AI Shift and Its Impact

• Jamie opens with a reflection on how consumers now turn to ChatGPT instead of Google and what that means for businesses trying to get noticed.
• Introduction of terms like “Answer Engine Optimization” and “Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)” as the new SEO.
  • Quote:
    "How do I get ChatGPT to recommend my company? And so that's where this new company called Peec AI comes in. They raised $21 million to help brands adapt to this change..."
    — Jamie, 00:46

What Does Peec AI Do?

• Brand Visibility Tracking:
  Allows brands to see how they show up inside large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Claude.
• Sentiment Monitoring:
  Monitors whether AI mentions about the brand are positive or negative, providing a chance for reputation management.
  • Memorable Moment: Jaeden jokes about Jamie never having negative reviews, poking fun at real-world implications (03:12).
• GEO Tools:
  Helps brands optimize how they rank in AI-generated answers, with actionable steps—creating a parallel to classic SEO.
• European Innovation:
  Peec AI is based in Berlin, signaling global innovation beyond Silicon Valley.
  • Quote:
    "I'm always interested in these European or international AI companies. It's kind of exciting."
    — Jaeden, 02:00

Customer Growth and Funding

• Peec AI is rapidly onboarding approximately 300 new customers per month.
• Recent $21M raise brings their valuation over $100M—a strong signal investors see GEO as the next big thing.
  • Quote:
    "They are adding about 300 customers a month…now over a hundred million dollars as far as what their valuation is."
    — Jaeden, 03:30

How Peec AI’s Dashboard & Pricing Works (05:39–07:51)

• Prompt-Based Tracking:
  Users can track up to 25 prompts (sample queries), such as “Best pressure washer in Raleigh, North Carolina” for $87/month; enterprise tiers allow up to 100 prompts for $196/month and more custom options for $493/month.

• Reverse Engineering LLM Sources:
  The platform identifies likely information sources LLMs use, such as Reddit threads or niche forums, and advises brands to proactively engage there.

• Actionable Optimization Tips:
  Example: For “best CRMs for fast-growing companies,” the tool recommends posting and joining discussions on relevant subreddits, since LLMs often draw from those conversations.

  • Quote:
    "...what they're basically doing is like they do the search, they see what the response is and then they try to reverse engineer where that response is coming from."
    — Jaeden, 06:55

Reddit as a GEO Hack (07:51–08:35)

• Reddit is a major, often underutilized platform for surfacing in AI-generated answers.
• Anecdote: Jaeden shares a story of a friend successfully generating over $100K in high-ticket software sales just from strategic Reddit engagement.
  • Quote:
    "...he's done over a hundred thousand dollars in sales from messages posted on…Reddit."
    — Jaeden, 08:26

Broader Takeaways and Future Outlook

• The rise of GEO represents a “huge” new marketing industry and is essential knowledge for any business that wants to remain competitive as user behavior shifts away from Google.
  • Quote:
    "No matter if you are a small service business or what you are, imagine someone asking…in your septic tank cleaning company, you want to be able to show up first."
    — Jamie, 04:59
• The tech is just getting started—early adopters can gain significant advantages by learning GEO fundamentals or tools like Peec AI.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Concept of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO):

  • "Everyone's trying to coin the term then whoever gets their term to stick the longest is going to be like I coined GEO.”
    — Jaeden, 03:24

• Reddit as a Marketing Goldmine:

  • "I do think [Reddit] is a slept-on gem...done over a hundred thousand dollars in sales from stuff on Reddit."
    — Jaeden, 08:04

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:46 – 01:31: Introduction to GEO and Peec AI’s purpose
• 02:00 – 03:30: How Peec AI works, its European base, and company growth
• 03:30 – 05:39: Importance of GEO for businesses in AI-driven search
• 05:39 – 07:51: Dashboard walkthrough, pricing, actionable tips
• 06:55: How Peec AI reverse-engineers answer sources
• 07:51 – 08:35: Using Reddit for influence in AI answers, real success story
• 08:35 – End: Industry outlook and final takeaways

Summary Takeaway

Peec AI’s $21M raise signals a major shift in digital marketing—from getting found on Google to getting recommended by AI. Their dashboard lets brands see and influence how they appear in AI-generated answers, with actionable steps like engaging on Reddit or key forums. The hosts stress that Generative Engine Optimization is crucial for future-proofing any business, sharing actionable insider tips and highlighting Peec AI as a powerful first-mover tool in this space.