Wikipedia

Muck Rack

Muck Rack is an American software company that develops an AI-powered, cloud-based public relations management (PRM) platform.[1][2] Founded in 2009 by Greg Galant and Lee Semel, the company began as a free online directory for journalists to create portfolios and track engagement of their work.[3] The company's name references the term "muckraker", used for reform-minded journalists during the Progressive Era.

Muck Rack
Company type
Private
IndustryPublic relations software
GenreNews aggregator, Media monitoring
Founded2009
FounderGreg Galant, Lee Semel
Headquarters
Miami, Florida
,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Greg Galant (CEO)
Number of employees
400 (2025)
Websitemuckrack.com

Muck Rack later evolved into an integrated software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform used for media relations, monitoring, analytics, and press release distribution.[3] The company expanded its AI initiatives through strategic leadership hires and acquisitions.[4][5]

History

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Founding and early years

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Muck Rack was founded in 2009 by Greg Galant and Lee Semel. More than 10,000 journalists signed up in the platform's first year. In 2011, after observing PR professionals using the site to find journalists, the company introduced its first paid SaaS product.[3]

Bootstrapped growth and Series A

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In September 2022, Muck Rack announced a $180 million Series A investment led by Susquehanna Growth Equity, one of the largest investments in the PR technology sector.[6]

Acquisitions

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In September 2024, Muck Rack acquired Keyhole, a Toronto-based social listening and analytics platform, adding real-time monitoring across major social platforms.[7] In January 2025, the company acquired Ruepoint, an Ireland-based media intelligence firm.[5]

Platform and services

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Muck Rack's platform supports media monitoring, outreach, workflow automation, and analytics, with heavy use of AI and machine learning.[1][2]

Media database and pitching

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The platform provides a media database of journalists, podcasters, freelancers, and outlets, along with AI-powered journalist recommendations.[8]

AI-powered workflow tools

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  • PressPal.ai — Generates draft press releases and recommended journalist lists.[9]
  • Media Brief Assistant — Creates AI-generated journalist background briefs.[8][10]

Media monitoring and social listening

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Muck Rack monitors online news, print, podcasts, broadcast media, and social platforms, tracking over 600,000 sources.[2] Expanded social listening and intelligence capabilities followed the Keyhole and Ruepoint acquisitions.[7][11]

Analytics and reporting

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Features include:[2]

  • PR Hit Score[8]
  • Topic-based reporting[10]
  • AI-generated word clouds[8]

Press release distribution

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In May 2025, Muck Rack launched a global press-release distribution service in partnership with GlobeNewswire.[12]

Generative engine optimization

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Muck Rack promotes generative engine optimization (GEO), a strategy for shaping how generative AI systems interpret and present information.[13][14]

Industry research and reports

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The State of AI in PR

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Muck Rack publishes an annual study on AI adoption in PR.[15][16]

AI source analysis (“What Is AI Reading?”)

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The company's 2025 research study analyzed millions of URLs cited by generative AI models.[17][18] More than 95% of cited sources were from non-paid media.[19][20]

Operations

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Since 2021, Muck Rack has operated as a fully remote company.

Clients include Google and Pfizer, and others.[4]

Recognition

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  • PRWeek: Best Comms Tech Platform (2024, 2025)[6]
  • Inc. 5000 honoree (2022–2024)
  • Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces (2023, 2024)
  • Quartz Best Companies for Remote Workers (2022, 2023)

References

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  1. 1 2 "Muck Rack PR Software". Muck Rack. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Muck Rack Introduces New AI Features". GlobeNewswire. October 9, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Muck Rack launches paid tools for PR professionals". TechCrunch. January 18, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Muck Rack Names First Ever AI Lead". TechDogs. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Muck Rack Acquires Ruepoint" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. January 6, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Previously bootstrapped PR platform Muck Rack raises $180M Series A". Refresh Miami. September 7, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Muck Rack acquires Keyhole". Muck Rack. September 3, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "AI for PR Teams". Muck Rack. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Introduction to PressPal.ai". Muck Rack. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Guide to Muck Rack's AI features". Muck Rack. July 7, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Muck Rack acquires Ruepoint". Muck Rack. January 6, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Muck Rack Launches Press Release Distribution Service". GlobeNewswire. May 15, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Generative Pulse empowers organizations to take control of AI narratives". Capitol Communicator. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Tactical guide to Generative Engine Optimization". Muck Rack. July 16, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  15. ↑ "New Muck Rack report reveals GenAI adoption trends". MarTech Cube. January 20, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ "State of AI in PR 2024" (PDF). Muck Rack. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Muck Rack releases "What Is AI Reading?" study". GlobeNewswire. July 22, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  18. ↑ "AI Takes a Journalism Class". MediaPost. July 24, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  19. ↑ "New analysis shows journalism drives AI responses". FinanzNachrichten. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  20. ↑ "What Is AI Reading? Key findings". Britopian. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
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