Executive Summary

• The Challenge: Standard Metrics observed their AI-native VC buyers discovering solutions through AI assistants like ChatGPT rather than traditional search.
• The Solution: After monitoring their AI visibility with Gauge, Standard Metrics committed to actively implementing strategic AI visibility recommendations.
• The Results: In just two weeks of focused implementation, they doubled their AI visibility ranking with an increase from 9.4% in AI answer share to 23.8% overall.
• The Impact: 14% increase in AI-powered recommendations when VCs search for portfolio monitoring solutions.
• The Takeaway: B2B companies can achieve rapid, measurable ROI from AI visibility when they move from monitoring to active implementation with Gauge.

About Standard Metrics: Leading VC Intelligence Platform

Standard Metrics is the premier software solution for venture capital firms seeking comprehensive portfolio monitoring and intelligence capabilities. Their platform serves as mission critical infrastructure for the worlds leading VC firms.

Their clients rely on the platform's data collection, aggregation, and sophisticated analysis to optimize portfolio performance and identify emerging opportunities across their investment portfolios.

Recognizing the AI Search Revolution

Like many bleeding edge B2B companies, Standard Metrics recognized a fundamental shift happening in how their buyers discover and research solutions. The team observed that buyers  are increasingly using AI as their primary search engine rather than traditional Google search.

This trend was particularly pronounced among Standard Metrics' target audience of venture capital professionals who live on the cutting edge of technology. The company noticed that prospects were mentioning they had been referred via ChatGPT during sales conversations, a clear signal that AI powered discovery was becoming a primary pathway for buyer education and vendor identification.

“Out of the blue, prospects started telling us they were finding us from ChatGPT. This was a clear signal we needed to invest more here.” - John Melas-Kyriazi (CEO)

For Standard Metrics, this represented both an urgent challenge and a strategic opportunity. Their highly sophisticated buyer base was already adopting AI tools for research, making AI visibility not just a nice to have, but a business critical requirement for maintaining their competitive position.

AI is Changing How Buyers Research

As AI assistants become the default research tool, traditional SEO and marketing approaches are no longer sufficient to ensure visibility during the crucial early stages of the buyer's journey.

This shift is particularly impactful for B2B software providers serving sophisticated audiences. Unlike consumer-focused businesses, these companies must maintain visibility among buyers who expect authoritative, detailed information and have little tolerance for generic content. Winning AI visibility requires strategies that understand both the nuances of AI visibility optimization and the specific decision-making criteria of professional buyers.

The Gauge Partnership: From Setup to Strategic Acceleration

Standard Metrics started their journey on gauge monitoring their AI visibility and how they appeared in AI-powered search results. After the launch of our insights and recommendations tool (as well as prioritization of AI visibility as a key quarterly initiative for Standard Metrics’ marketing team), the team committed to actively implement Gauge’s recommendations.

This shift from passive monitoring to active optimization marked the beginning of their remarkable transformation. Over a 14 day period, Standard Metrics doubled their AI visibility based on insights from Gauge. This represents just the beginning of their optimization journey, as Gauge continues to provide ongoing recommendations for sustained growth.

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Implementation: Concentrated Effort, Measurable Impact

Rather than spreading efforts across months of gradual content creation, Gauge recommended focused implementation of the highest value targets. This strategic approach allowed for rapid iteration, real time optimization, and immediate measurement.

The Gauge team worked directly with Standard Metrics to ensure each piece of content aligned with both AI optimization requirements and the authentic voice and expertise of the Standard Metrics brand. This collaborative approach ensured that the resulting content genuinely served the target audience while meeting the technical requirements for AI visibility.

“Gauge recommended specific actions for us to take. After implementing them, we saw immediate impact” - Maile McCann (Marketing Manager)

Results: Dramatic Growth in Record Time

The results of the Gauge partnership exceeded expectations, delivering measurable improvements in just two weeks.

Standard Metrics achieved a 14.4% increase in their AI visibility over the 14 day period, bringing their overall ranking to 23.8% and over doubling their AI visibility. This improvement positioned them significantly higher in AI powered recommendations and search results when VCs sought portfolio monitoring solutions.

Key Success Factors: What Made the Difference

Several critical elements contributed to Standard Metrics' exceptional results:

Strategic Implementation Focus

The focused approach to implementing specific Gauge recommendations proved more effective than gradual, scattered efforts. By prioritizing key recommendations and enabling rapid iteration, Standard Metrics could optimize their approach in real time and achieve immediate measurable impact.

Data Driven Topic Selection

Gauge's analytical approach to content topic identification ensured that Standard Metrics invested their efforts in areas with the highest potential for AI visibility improvement. This strategic focus on high opportunity topics maximized the return on content creation investment.

Content Excellence and AI Optimization Balance

The content achieved remarkably high mention rates, indicating strong relevance and value for the target audience. This balance between AI optimization and genuine value creation ensured sustainable, long term visibility improvements.

Measurable, Data Driven Approach

Real time tracking of citation rates, mention rates, and visibility gains enabled immediate optimization and clear ROI demonstration. This data driven methodology ensured every effort contributed to measurable improvement.

Industry Implications and Lessons Learned

Standard Metrics' success provides valuable insights for other B2B software companies navigating the AI visibility landscape:

Fast Time to Value: The 14 day timeline demonstrates that AI visibility improvements can happen rapidly when approached strategically. Companies don't need to wait months to see meaningful results when they commit to executing specific recommendations.

Strategic Content Creation: Well crafted, strategically targeted pieces of content that demonstrate deep understanding of specific industry challenges perform exceptionally well in AI systems compared to generic content.

Ongoing Optimization: The 14 day push represents just the beginning of the optimization journey. Sustained improvement comes from continuous implementation of new recommendations and strategic refinements.

Looking Forward: Sustained Growth and Expanded Opportunities

Standard Metrics' initial success with Gauge has established a foundation for continued AI visibility growth. The partnership continues to identify additional opportunities for content creation, earned media placement, and strategic optimization that will drive sustained improvement over time.

The rapid initial results have also validated the approach for other areas of Standard Metrics' business, creating opportunities to expand AI visibility efforts across different product lines and market segments within the VC ecosystem.

“If this is what we got done in two weeks, I can’t wait to see how much progress we can make in the next couple of months. Job’s not finished.” - Lane Altbaum (Marketing)

For the broader B2B software industry, Standard Metrics' case demonstrates that AI visibility is not just achievable but can deliver rapid, measurable business impact when approached with the right strategy and expertise.

Use Gauge to Transform Your AI Visibility

Standard Metrics' remarkable results of doubling their AI visibility in just 14 days demonstrate what's possible when B2B software companies take a strategic approach to AI optimization. Their success combining targeted content creation with earned media amplification provides a blueprint for rapid, measurable improvement.

If your company is ready to establish meaningful presence in AI-powered search and discovery, Gauge can help you achieve similar results. Our data-driven approach, combined with deep understanding of AI visibility optimization, enables rapid transformation of your digital presence.

Book a demo with Gauge to learn how we can help your company achieve dramatic AI visibility improvements in weeks, not months.