AI search
How ChatGPT and Google AI answers pick which local business to name.
Do Google reviews affect whether ChatGPT recommends my business?Not directly, as far as our data shows.Does my own website matter for AI search?Yes, your website matters, but it is not the main source.Does the Google Maps number one also win in ChatGPT?No, not usually.How do I check what ChatGPT says about my business?Open ChatGPT with web search on, start a fresh chat, and ask it the questions your customers ask, such as "Who is the best plumber in Collingwood, Ontario?" Then write down which companies it names, which sites it cites, and whether your facts are correct.How do I get my business into Google AI Overviews?You cannot apply for a place in Google AI Overviews.How do I get my business recommended by ChatGPT?You cannot pay for a ChatGPT recommendation, but you can make your business easier to find and trust.How does ChatGPT decide which local business to recommend?ChatGPT decides by reading web pages about your trade and town, then naming the companies those pages mention most.What is GEO (generative engine optimization) for a local business?GEO, or generative engine optimization, is the work of making AI tools such as ChatGPT name your business when someone asks for a local service.Which websites does ChatGPT cite when it recommends local businesses in Ontario?ChatGPT mostly cites third-party directory and review sites, not the business's own website.Why does ChatGPT recommend businesses from another town for my town?ChatGPT recommends out-of-town businesses because it builds answers from web pages and directory listings, not from distance the way Google Maps does.