Millions of people are asking ChatGPT to recommend local businesses every day. Here’s how to make sure your business is the one being named.

Step 1: Get Your Schema Markup Right

Schema markup is structured data on your website that tells AI what your business is, where it is, what it does, and who it serves. At minimum, your site needs LocalBusiness schema, Service schema, FAQPage schema, and Review/AggregateRating schema.

Step 2: Build a Direct-Answer FAQ Section

ChatGPT loves content that directly answers questions. Build a FAQ page with 10–20 of the most common questions your clients ask. Write clear, specific answers. This content becomes exactly what AI engines pull from when generating answers to similar questions from future users.

Step 3: Dominate Your Google Business Profile

ChatGPT’s browsing and many third-party plugins heavily weight Google Business Profile data. A fully optimized GBP with accurate categories, service listings, photos, and recent posts signals authority. Post to your GBP at least twice per month.

Step 4: Build Your Review Footprint

Review volume and quality are among the strongest signals AI uses to determine which businesses to recommend. A systematic review strategy — asking every satisfied client, making the process frictionless, responding to every review — compounds over time into one of your strongest AEO assets.

Step 5: Get Mentioned Across the Web

AI engines look for corroboration. If your business is mentioned on your website but nowhere else, that’s a thin signal. Build your citation count across Google, Yelp, LinkedIn, local news sites, and industry directories.

Step 6: Monitor What AI Actually Says About You

Open ChatGPT right now and ask: “Who are the best [your service type] in [your city]?” See what comes back. That’s your baseline. Run it monthly and track whether your name starts appearing as you implement these strategies.