When people ask Google’s AI or ChatGPT for a local recommendation, the answer usually names just a handful of businesses. You can’t control which ones it picks. But you can make sure your business gives it every reason to include you.
Google says its AI features use the same ranking and quality systems as its regular search results (Search Engine Journal, August 2026). So the good news is there’s no secret trick. It’s about doing the fundamentals properly and consistently. Run through these ten checks.
The checklist
- Every service has its own page. One page that lists “plumbing, gas fitting and drains” tells AI far less than a clear page for each.
- Your location and service area are written in plain text. Name the suburbs and areas you cover. Don’t hide them in an image or a map only.
- Your name, address, phone and hours match everywhere. On your website, Google Business Profile, Facebook and directories. Inconsistent details make AI less confident about you.
- Your Google Business Profile is complete and verified. Right category, services, hours, photos and a link to your site.
- You have a steady flow of reviews, and you reply to them. Reviews are one of the clearest signals of trust.
- Your structured data matches what’s on the page. Behind-the-scenes code that labels your business details for machines, kept consistent with what visitors see.
- You answer real questions. FAQs written the way customers ask: “Do you do weekend callouts?” “How much is a new hot water system?”
- The site is fast, mobile-friendly and accessible. AI-driven tools increasingly read pages the way assistive technology does, so clean structure and proper labels matter.
- You’re not accidentally blocking search engines or AI tools. Check that your site isn’t set to “discourage search engines”, and that nothing in its settings shuts out crawlers.
- Other trusted sites mention you. Directories, your industry association, local news, suppliers and partners. AI leans heavily on what others say about you.
How did you go?
- 8 to 10: You’re in good shape. Keep it current and keep the reviews coming.
- 5 to 7: Solid foundations, but there are gaps AI will notice. Fix the consistency and review items first.
- Under 5: AI is probably struggling to understand your business. The good news: most of these are quick wins.
A word on shortcuts
You’ll see services promising special files or tricks to “get into ChatGPT”. Be cautious. Google has said it ignores llms.txt files and doesn’t need content chopped up specially for its AI systems (Search Engine Journal). The fundamentals above are what count.
Want us to check for you?
Our free AI Visibility Check runs through these points for your business, shows you what AI actually says about you, and lists the three things holding you back. You can also read more about how AI finds local businesses.
Sources
- Search Engine Journal: AI assistants are choosing local businesses for your customers (August 2026)