How do businesses in Thornbury get found on Google Maps and in ChatGPT?

Are Google Maps and ChatGPT the same thing?

No. They pick businesses in different ways. Google Maps uses your Business Profile. ChatGPT, with web search on, reads many websites and then names companies.

In our August 2026 study, we asked ChatGPT one question for each town and trade: “Who is the best trade in town, Ontario? Name specific companies.” We also ran the same search on Google Maps. We covered 39 towns and 10 trades. The study asked one question per town and trade, so treat the figures as a snapshot, not a rule.

All 10 Thornbury trades had a Maps result. In 7 of 10 trades, the Maps leader was not named by ChatGPT at all. Those trades were cleaning, electrician, landscaping, painter, pest control, plumber and roofing.

How do I show up on Google Maps?

Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence. Google also says there is no way to request or pay for a better local ranking. Do these steps:

1. Verify your Business Profile. This tells Google you are allowed to represent the business.
2. Fill in every field: business category, hours, services, and attributes. Google says complete and accurate information makes a profile more likely to show up.
3. Add real photos and videos of your work and your premises.
4. Reply to every review. Google says helpful replies can help a business stand out.
5. Earn more reviews over time. Google lists the number of reviews and the ratings as part of prominence.

What if I work at customers’ homes and not at a shop?

Many trades in Thornbury travel to the customer. Google treats these as service-area businesses. If you do not serve customers at your address, remove the address from your profile.

Follow these steps:

1. Open your Business Profile and select Edit profile, then Location.
2. Next to “Service area,” select Edit.
3. Add the cities or postal codes you serve. You can set up to 20 areas.
4. Save the change. Google says approved edits may take up to 48 hours to show.

Google does not allow a radius around your address. It also says the whole area should not be more than about 2 hours of driving time from where you are based. Be specific and accurate.

Why does ChatGPT name companies from outside Thornbury?

ChatGPT does not use a Maps ranking. It builds an answer from web pages. In our study, 93% of the businesses named for Thornbury were based outside the town. Across all 390 questions the figure was 58.8%.

A small town has few local pages that answer “who is best.” So ChatGPT reaches further to find names.

Which sites does ChatGPT read to choose a business?

Mostly third-party sites, not business websites. For Thornbury, the answers cited 23 third-party sites and 6 business websites. Across all questions, the top five third-party sites made up 67.1% of third-party citations.

The most cited site was HomeStars, at 27.3% of third-party citations. Birdeye reviews, ProScore, ThreeBestRated and BBB also appeared in the top five. Do these steps:

1. Search your trade and town. Note which review and directory sites show up.
2. Claim your listing on each site. Use the same name, address and phone number as your Google profile.
3. Ask real customers for reviews on the sites that matter in your trade.
4. Keep your own website clear. State what you do, where you work, and how to reach you.

How do I ask for reviews the right way in Ontario?

Ask real customers about real work. Do not buy reviews, write fake ones, or ask only happy customers for a rating in a way that misleads. The Competition Bureau treats fake or misleading reviews as a risk under its rules on misleading advertising.

If you ask by email or text, CASL (Canada’s anti-spam law) may apply. Get consent first, say who you are, and give a clear way to opt out.

Where Georgian Bay SEO fits

Georgian Bay SEO runs this site. We work with businesses in Thornbury. Judge any agency, including us, by the checks on this page: does the Business Profile have complete information, are the reviews real, and are the listings on the sites ChatGPT cites correct?