Who We Are
OtterlyAI is an AI Search Monitoring and Optimization platform that helps brands track and improve their visibility across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Perplexity, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.
The company was founded in 2024 by Thomas Peham (CEO), Josef Trauner (CPO), and Klaus-M. Schremser (CRO). All three are experienced marketing and tech leaders with previous SaaS exits and leadership roles. The company is based in Vienna, Austria.
How OtterlyAI Started
The idea came from a real need. Thomas, Josef, and Klaus-M. saw that search was shifting toward AI-generated answers, and marketing teams had no way to measure how their brands showed up in those answers.
They interviewed more than 50 marketing leaders to validate the problem. The feedback was clear: teams needed a dedicated tool to monitor AI search, not another feature inside an existing SEO suite.
OtterlyAI launched its first product in October 2024. By December, more than 1,000 marketers were using the platform. The company was covered by TechCrunch and other media outlets that same month.
About the OtterlyAI team
Today, the OtterlyAI team consists of 17 people working across product, engineering, marketing, and customer success. The team combines deep marketing expertise with technical product development, and every team member contributes to shaping how the platform evolves based on daily customer feedback.
Milestones and Recognition
OtterlyAI grew from 1,000 to over 20,000 marketing professionals between late 2024 and early 2026. Along the way, the company earned several industry recognitions:
- Recognized as a 2025 Gartner Cool Vendor for AI in Marketing
- Named a High Performer for Answer Engine Optimization Tools by G2
- Top-rated on OMR Reviews with a 5.0 overall score
- Rated 5.0/5 on Product Hunt
- Technology partnership with Semrush, announced January 2025
Why the Name OtterlyAI?
Otters are intelligent, humble, and agile. They master difficult environments while having great eyesight. That combination felt like the right metaphor for what marketing teams need when navigating AI search: sharp observation, adaptability, and focus.
