Short answer: AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews recommend local businesses they can find clear, consistent information about: a website with a page for each service, strong reviews on trusted sites, and mentions on lists, directories and local news. Most of it is the same work as good local SEO, plus making sure AI tools are allowed to read your site.
Why this matters now
In BrightLocal's 2026 consumer survey, 45% of consumers said they now use ChatGPT and other AI tools for local recommendations, up from 6% the year before, making AI the third most popular source of business recommendations in the survey. Someone might ask "who's a good family dentist near Plano?" or "best roofer in Tampa?" instead of searching Google, and the AI answers with a short list.
What AI tools look for
Whitespark's 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors survey asked local SEO experts which factors matter most for showing up in AI search. The top five:
- Being on expert-curated "best of" lists for your industry and area.
- A dedicated page for each service on your website.
- Prominence on sites that matter in your industry, like associations and industry directories.
- Mentions in trusted places: local news, blogs, government sites and associations.
- Reviews on authoritative third-party sites, not only Google.
Further down the top ten: content about the areas you serve (#6), high Google ratings (#8), and a site that's clearly focused on one specialty (#9). Notice what's missing: tricks. AI tools recommend businesses that are well documented and well reviewed.
Step 1: Let AI tools read your website
Some websites block AI crawlers in a file called robots.txt, often by accident. If ChatGPT's crawlers (GPTBot and OAI-SearchBot), ClaudeBot or PerplexityBot are blocked, those tools can't read your site. Our free website check tells you in seconds whether your site blocks them.
Also make sure your important text is in the page itself, not only inside images or loaded by heavy scripts, so any tool can read it.
Step 2: Give every service its own clear page
AI tools answer specific questions, like "who does same-day crown fittings in Charlotte?" A page dedicated to that service, naming the areas you serve, gives them a clear answer to quote. One page listing twenty services doesn't. Start each page with a short, plain answer: what you do, where, and how to reach you.
Step 3: Build reviews in more than one place
Google reviews still matter, and high Google ratings are in the AI top ten. But reviews on authoritative third-party sites rank #5. Depending on your business that might be Yelp, the BBB, Healthgrades, TripAdvisor, Angi or an industry-specific site. Ask customers to review you where it makes sense, and reply to all of them.
Step 4: Get mentioned on lists and local sites
The #1 AI factor is appearing on "best of" lists. You can't buy your way onto honest ones, but you can earn them:
- Join your industry association and your local chamber of commerce, and make sure your listing links to your site.
- Apply for local "best of" awards your area runs.
- Sponsor a local team or event that lists sponsors online.
- Offer local news a helpful quote when your field is in the news.
Step 5: Keep your details identical everywhere
AI tools combine information from many sites. If your phone number, address or business name differs between your website, Google, Yelp and the BBB, they may show the wrong one or skip you. Pick one version and use it everywhere.
Step 6: Check what AI says about you
Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google "who's a good [your service] in [your town]?" and "what do you know about [your business name]?" Note what comes back. If you're missing, or the details are wrong, the steps above are where to fix it. Repeat every few months.
What about llms.txt?
You may hear about an llms.txt file, a plain summary of your business for AI tools. It's optional and new, and not every tool reads it. It doesn't hurt, but it won't replace the steps above.
Frequently asked questions
Is AI search replacing Google?
Not replacing, adding. Most people still search Google, and Google shows AI Overviews at the top of many results. The work that helps you on Google is most of what helps you in AI tools.
Can I pay to be recommended by ChatGPT?
No. Be wary of anyone selling guaranteed AI recommendations. What works is being well documented, well reviewed and mentioned in trusted places.
How do I know if AI tools can read my site?
Run our free website check. It checks whether your robots.txt blocks ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity or Gemini, and whether your site has structured data they can read.