AI search for small businesses

How to get your business on ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini

Local businesses are getting discovered in a whole new way. People are asking AI who to call, where to go, and which businesses they can trust. Will yours show up?

Test your business now Start with the basics

Example AI response. The businesses shown are fictional.

See where you stand. Do you show up in AI Search? Below are common questions people ask AI. Fill in the boxes below, copy and paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, and see if you show up and who else does.

Do you show up in AI Search?

Below are common questions people ask AI.

  • Fill in the boxes below.
  • Copy and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
  • See if you show up, and who else does.

Copy and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, then read the answer closely.

Who are the best [type of business] near [city or neighborhood]?

I need a [type of business] in [city or neighborhood] that offers [specific need]. Who should I consider?

What are the top-rated [type of business] in [city or neighborhood] for [specific need].

Didn’t show up? Welcome to the new era of search.

Check out the guides below and start getting discovered by AI

How to get your small business recommended by AI

Start here

How to get your small business recommended by AI

A plain walkthrough of what actually helps a local business get mentioned by ChatGPT and other AI tools.

What “AEO” means

The basics

What “AEO” means

A short, plain explanation of a term you’ll see a lot around AI search.

Answer common questions on your website

Quick win

Answer common questions on your website

How to write plain answers to the questions customers ask, so AI tools can use them.

Start with the basics

Three things to fix first

A dashboard mockup of a small business owner's website editor open on a computer screen: Get your business online and working for you. Complete these three key steps to attract more customers. Step 1: Optimize your Google Business Profile. Make sure your hours, services, category, phone number, website, and service area are complete and up to date. Step 2: Make your services easy to understand. Clearly explain what you offer, who it's for, and where you offer it. Step 3: Answer the questions customers are already asking. Create helpful content around pricing, availability, process, service areas, and what makes you different.

Common questions

Questions small business owners ask about AI search

Are AI search and AEO the same thing?

Related, not identical. AI search is customers asking tools like ChatGPT for recommendations. AEO is the work that makes your business easier for those tools to recommend.

Is this the same as SEO?

They overlap but aren’t the same. Regular search gets your website listed as a link; AI search gets you mentioned inside the answer itself. Clear information and good reviews help both.

How long until AI starts recommending me?

No set timeline, and no guarantees, since AI tools update at different rates. Accurate details, helpful pages, and honest reviews improve your odds over time.

Do I need to hire an agency?

Most owners can handle the first steps themselves. Consider a specialist if you have multiple locations, a large site, or no time to track results.

What if my business has no website?

Start with a complete Google Business Profile and correct directory listings. A website still helps a lot, since it’s the one place you fully control, and is worth building toward.

How much does AEO cost for a small business?

Many first steps are free: correcting your info, improving your Google Business Profile, answering customer questions, and requesting reviews. You’ll only spend money if you choose paid tracking tools or professional help.