By Jack Walker, Managing Director of OptiModo Marketing · Updated October 2026
Business owners ask us this every week: “how do I get my business to show up when people ask ChatGPT?” It is a fair question. More buyers now ask an AI tool for recommendations before they visit a single website, and the answer often names just three or four businesses. Here is exactly how it works and what you can do about it.
How AI tools decide which businesses to recommend
AI tools do not have a secret list. When someone asks for a recommendation, the tool pulls together what it can find and trust about businesses in that area or industry. The main sources are:
- Search results. ChatGPT and Copilot often search the web (Copilot uses Bing) and Google AI Overviews use Google’s own results. If you do not rank, you are less likely to be mentioned.
- Your website. Clear pages that say what you do, who for, where and with what results.
- Directories and review sites. Trusted listings such as Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Clutch and industry directories.
- Reviews and reputation. Genuine reviews and mentions of your business across the web.
The businesses that get recommended are simply the ones that make all of this easy to find and consistent.
9 steps to get your business recommended by AI
1. Answer your buyers’ questions directly
Add short, direct answers to the questions your customers ask, near the top of your key pages. AI tools love a clear two or three sentence answer they can quote. Think “How much does X cost?”, “Who is X for?” and “How long does X take?”.
2. Make it obvious what you do, for whom and where
Your homepage and service pages should state plainly what you offer, who you help and the area you cover. Vague slogans confuse AI tools. “B2B paid ads agency in Hertfordshire” is far clearer than “We make brands shine”.
3. Add structured data (schema)
Schema markup is code that tells search engines and AI exactly who you are: your business name, services, location, reviews and FAQs. Plugins like Rank Math make this possible without a developer.
4. Keep your business details identical everywhere
Your name, address, phone number and website should match exactly across your website, Google, Bing, social profiles and directories. Inconsistent details make AI tools less confident you are a real, established business.
5. Claim your Google, Bing and Apple business profiles
Google Business Profile feeds Google’s AI answers. Bing Places matters because Microsoft Copilot uses Bing, and many other AI tools search the web through it too. You can import your Google profile into Bing Places in a few minutes.
6. Get listed on trusted directories in your industry
AI tools often quote “best of” lists and directories. For agencies that means sites like Clutch and Sortlist. For other industries it could be trade bodies, local business directories or specialist review sites.
7. Collect genuine reviews
Reviews on Google and industry sites are one of the strongest trust signals. Ask happy clients regularly, and reply to every review. AI tools often mention what reviewers say.
8. Let AI crawlers read your website
Check that your website does not block AI crawlers like GPTBot, and consider adding an llms.txt file, a simple guide to your site for AI tools. Fast, well-structured pages are easier for every crawler to understand.
9. Publish helpful content with real examples
Guides, case studies and pricing pages with real numbers give AI tools something specific to quote. Generic content gets ignored. A page that says “we cut a client’s cost per lead by 36.6%” is far more useful than “we deliver results”.
How to check if AI recommends your business
Open ChatGPT, Google (look for the AI Overview at the top) and Copilot, and ask the questions your customers would ask:
- “Who is the best [your service] in [your town or county]?”
- “Recommend a [your service] company for a [type of business] in the UK”
- “How much does [your service] cost in the UK?”
Note which businesses are named and how yours is described, if at all. Repeat every month or two to see what changes.
Common mistakes that keep businesses out of AI answers
- A website that never says plainly what you do or where.
- Different business names, addresses or phone numbers on different sites.
- No Bing Places listing, which cuts you out of Copilot.
- Few or no reviews outside your own website.
- Blocking AI crawlers by accident in your website settings.
Is this different from SEO?
Mostly, no. Getting recommended by AI is built on the same foundations as ranking on Google: helpful content, clear structure, trust and reputation. The extra work is making your content easy to quote and making sure you appear on the sites AI tools read. That is why we include AI search optimisation in our SEO packages.
Want us to do it for you? See our AI search optimisation service.
AI search: frequently asked questions
Can I pay to appear in ChatGPT recommendations?
No. ChatGPT does not sell placement in its recommendations. Businesses appear because the AI understands and trusts them, which comes from your website content, listings, reviews and wider reputation.
Does SEO still matter if people use AI search?
Yes, more than ever. AI tools rely heavily on search engine results and the same trust signals as Google. Good SEO is the foundation of being recommended by AI.
How do I check if ChatGPT recommends my business?
Ask it the questions your customers would ask, such as “best [your service] in [your area]” or “who should I hire for [your service] in the UK?”. Try a few variations and note which businesses it names.
How long does it take to show up in AI search?
Usually two to four months after fixing the main signals, because AI tools and search engines need time to re-read your website and listings. Some changes, like Bing Places, can help sooner.
What is the difference between GEO, AEO and AI SEO?
They are different names for the same goal: getting your business mentioned in AI-generated answers. GEO stands for generative engine optimisation and AEO for answer engine optimisation.
Does AI recommend your business?
Book a free AI visibility check. We will show you what ChatGPT and Google say about you today, and what it takes to get recommended.