AI search visibility tools (Otterly, Peec, Profound) cost $29-499/mo. A DIY layer captures the same primary signal at fractional cost. This tutorial builds the DIY tracker.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10+
- Scavio API key
- DuckDB
Walkthrough
Step 1: Define brand keyword grid
Brand + category + competitor terms.
Python
GRID = ['scavio', 'tavily alternative 2026', 'multi platform search api', 'mcp search api']Step 2: Daily snapshot per keyword
SERP + AI Overview citations + Reddit threads.
Python
import os, requests, duckdb, datetime
API_KEY = os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY']
H = {'x-api-key': API_KEY}
db = duckdb.connect('aeo.duckdb')
db.execute('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS visibility(date DATE, keyword TEXT, surface TEXT, url TEXT)')
def snapshot():
today = datetime.date.today()
for k in GRID:
r = requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search', headers=H, json={'query': k, 'include_ai_overview': True}).json()
for o in r.get('organic_results', [])[:10]:
db.execute('INSERT INTO visibility VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)', (today, k, 'serp', o['link']))
for c in (r.get('ai_overview') or {}).get('citations', []):
db.execute('INSERT INTO visibility VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)', (today, k, 'ai_overview', c))Step 3: Daily Reddit thread tracking
Brand mentions in r/SaaS, r/marketing.
Python
def reddit(k):
return requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/reddit/search', headers=H, json={'query': k}).json()Step 4: Weekly delta query
What's new since last week?
Python
delta = db.execute('''
SELECT keyword, surface, url FROM visibility
WHERE date >= current_date - INTERVAL 7 days
AND url NOT IN (SELECT url FROM visibility WHERE date < current_date - INTERVAL 7 days)
''').fetchall()Step 5: Friday email digest
5-line summary.
Text
# Compose email with new citations + new Reddit threads + lost citations.
# Send Friday 8 AM.Python Example
Python
# Daily run cost: 30 keywords × 2 calls = 60 credits ≈ $0.26.
# Monthly: ~$8 of Scavio. Vs Otterly $29/mo (similar coverage), DIY saves at row-level depth.JavaScript Example
JavaScript
// Same in TS with duckdb-async.Expected Output
JSON
Daily citation log per surface. Friday email with deltas. Annual cost ~$100 vs Otterly's $348 (still worth Otterly for the polished dashboard if you don't want to build).