Getting Into AI Search Results
November 9, 2025
10 min read

Getting Into AI Search: ChatGPT, Perplexity & More

The landscape of search is changing. Here's how to make sure your business shows up when people ask AI tools for recommendations.

Something big is happening in how people find businesses online. They're not just typing into Google anymore—they're asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and other AI tools for recommendations.

"Where's the best HVAC company in Jacksonville?" "Which local web designer should I use?" "Who can fix my car's transmission near me?"

And here's the thing: AI doesn't search the web the same way Google does. If your business isn't set up right, you're invisible to millions of potential customers using these tools.

đź“Ś Bottom Line: AI search is here to stay, and it's growing fast. The businesses that show up in AI results are the ones that will win in the next few years.

What Is AI Search, Exactly?

Instead of showing you 10 blue links like Google, AI search tools give you direct answers. They read through tons of information online and summarize it into conversational responses.

The major players right now:

When someone asks these tools for business recommendations, they pull information from across the web. But not randomly—they look for specific signals that indicate a business is legitimate, trustworthy, and relevant.

Why Traditional SEO Isn't Enough

You might be thinking: "I already do SEO. Isn't that the same thing?"

Not quite. While there's overlap, AI search works differently:

How AI Search Differs from Google:

  • Context over keywords - AI understands meaning, not just matching words
  • Reputation signals - Reviews, mentions, and citations matter more
  • Structured information - Clean, organized data gets prioritized
  • Recency matters - Fresh, updated content wins
  • Natural language - Write like you talk, not for robots
  • Authority markers - Credentials, experience, and trust signals

How AI Tools Actually Find Your Business

AI doesn't browse websites like humans do. It processes vast amounts of structured data looking for patterns and signals. Here's what it looks for:

1. Your Website Content

AI reads your website, but it's looking for different things than Google's algorithm:

❌ Bad (SEO-Speak)

"Jacksonville's premier HVAC solutions provider offering comprehensive climate control services with 24/7 emergency response capabilities."

âś… Good (Clear & Natural)

"We fix heating and AC in Jacksonville. Family-owned since 2010. Available 24/7 for emergencies. Typical response time: under 2 hours."

What AI wants to see:

2. Business Listings & Directories

AI cross-references information across multiple sources to verify you're a real business. Consistency is key.

Essential Listings:

  • Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
  • Apple Maps/Apple Business
  • Bing Places for Business
  • Yelp
  • Facebook Business Page
  • Industry-specific directories (e.g., HomeAdvisor for contractors)

Critical: Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) must be identical everywhere. If one listing says "123 Main St" and another says "123 Main Street," AI might think they're different businesses.

3. Reviews & Reputation

AI weighs reviews heavily because they indicate real customer experiences. But it's not just about quantity—it reads them for specific information.

What makes reviews valuable to AI:

4. Mentions & Citations

When your business is mentioned on other websites (even without a link), AI notices. These are called "citations" and they build credibility.

Where citations help:

5. Structured Data (Schema Markup)

This is code on your website that tells AI exactly what information means. It's like putting labels on everything.

Example: Instead of AI having to guess that "Jacksonville, FL" is your location, structured data explicitly says "This business is located at Jacksonville, FL."

đź’ˇ Most small business websites don't have this, which is a huge missed opportunity. It's one of the easiest ways to stand out.

Practical Steps to Get Into AI Search

Step 1: Audit Your Current Presence

Start by seeing if you're already showing up. Try these searches:

Test Searches to Try:

Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude:

  • "What are the best [your service] companies in [your city]?"
  • "I need a [your service] in [your area]. Who should I use?"
  • "Recommend a reliable [your profession] near [your location]"

If you don't show up, don't panic—most small businesses don't yet. But you're about to fix that.

Step 2: Optimize Your Google Business Profile

This is the single most important thing you can do. AI tools pull heavily from Google Business data.

Make Your Profile Complete:

  • Verify ownership (if you haven't already)
  • Choose the most specific business category
  • Add ALL your services as separate items
  • Upload quality photos (exterior, interior, team, work examples)
  • Set accurate hours (including holidays)
  • Add a detailed business description (750 characters)
  • List attributes (veteran-owned, women-owned, etc.)
  • Enable messaging so customers can contact you
  • Post updates weekly (offers, news, tips)

Step 3: Rewrite Your Website for Humans (and AI)

Make your homepage answer these questions in the first 2 paragraphs:

Then create dedicated pages for:

Step 4: Get More (and Better) Reviews

Don't just ask for reviews—make it stupidly easy:

Review Generation System:

  • Send a review link immediately after job completion
  • Use a tool like Google's review link generator
  • Ask when customers are happiest (right after you solve their problem)
  • Respond to EVERY review (thank positive ones, address concerns in negative ones)
  • Include your Google Business profile link in email signatures

Step 5: Claim & Consistent All Listings

Set aside 2-3 hours and systematically claim/update every listing where your business appears:

Use the EXACT same information everywhere:

Step 6: Add Structured Data to Your Website

This is technical, but important. You (or your web person) should add Schema.org markup to your site.

At minimum, include:

đź’ˇ If you work with us, we add this automatically to every site we build. It's one of those behind-the-scenes things that makes a huge difference.

What NOT to Do

Don't keyword-stuff - AI sees through it and penalizes vague, repetitive content.

Don't buy fake reviews - AI can detect patterns of suspicious reviews. One fake review can undermine 50 real ones.

Don't ignore negative reviews - How you respond to criticism matters more than the criticism itself.

Don't copy content from competitors - AI recognizes duplicate content and deprioritizes it.

Don't set it and forget it - Update your content regularly. Fresh information ranks higher.

How Long Does This Take?

Honest answer: You'll see some results in 2-4 weeks, but it takes 3-6 months to really establish presence in AI search.

Quick wins (within a month):

Longer-term (3-6 months):

The Bottom Line

AI search isn't replacing Google—it's complementing it. But the way people search IS changing, and businesses that adapt early will have a massive advantage.

The good news? Most of your competitors haven't figured this out yet. You're still early.

Focus on three things:

  1. Clear, natural content that answers questions
  2. Consistent, complete business information everywhere
  3. Real reviews from real customers

Do these things well, and you'll show up when potential customers ask AI for recommendations. And that's where more and more people are starting their search.

Need Help Getting Into AI Search?

We help small businesses set up their websites and online presence to be discovered by both traditional search engines and AI tools. No jargon, just results.

Let's Talk About Your Online Presence