To get recommended by ChatGPT, Perplexity or Google's AI Overviews, make your website easy for AI to read and quote. Answer real customer questions directly, back your claims with sources and first-hand experience, and get your business mentioned in the places AI already trusts, like Reddit, YouTube and review sites. That's the short version. Here's how to actually do it.
Why does AI search matter for my business now?
Because fewer people are clicking. SparkToro data covering January to April 2026 found that 68% of U.S. Google searches ended without a click, up from about 60% in 2024. The same report found AI Overviews now show up on more than 20% of searches, and click-through rates drop sharply when they do.
People still have the same questions. They're just getting the answer from AI before they ever see your site. If AI mentions you in that answer, you win the customer. If it doesn't, you never knew you were in the running.
What's the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?
- SEO (search engine optimization) gets your pages ranked in Google's classic results.
- AEO (answer engine optimization) gets your content pulled into direct answers: featured snippets, AI Overviews and voice results.
- GEO (generative engine optimization) gets your brand named and cited by AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Claude.
They overlap a lot. Good SEO is still the foundation, because many AI tools search the web before they answer.
How do I make my website easy for AI to quote?
- Let AI crawlers in. Check that your robots.txt and any security or CDN settings aren't blocking AI bots. Some default settings do.
- Put the answer first. Start each section with a one- or two-sentence answer, then explain. AI tools love a clean, quotable sentence.
- Use question headings. Write headings the way your customers ask: "How much does a video podcast cost?" beats "Pricing."
- Keep it in plain HTML. AI crawlers often skip content hidden in tabs, sliders, accordions or behind logins.
- Add structure. Short paragraphs, bulleted lists, numbered steps and FAQ sections are easy to extract. Add FAQ and local business schema where you can.
How do I build trust with AI tools?
AI tools are cautious about who they recommend. Give them reasons:
- Show real experience. Write about work you've actually done: the campaign, the shoot, the result. Generic advice blends in.
- Cite your numbers. Link the source for every stat, like this post does.
- Name the author. A real person with a real bio beats "Admin."
- Keep content fresh. Update key pages every few months and show the date.
Where else does AI look besides my website?
Everywhere people talk about you. AI tools lean heavily on third-party mentions, so:
- Keep your Google Business Profile complete and collect reviews.
- Show up genuinely in Reddit threads and community forums in your niche.
- Put your expertise on YouTube, including video podcasts.
- Get listed and quoted in local press, industry directories and partner sites.
How do I know if it's working?
Test it by hand once a month. Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini 10 to 20 questions your customers would ask, like "best dog groomer near Walnut Creek" or "who makes podcasts for small businesses." Track whether you're named, which of your pages get cited, and how AI describes you. Then fix the gaps.
FAQ
Can I pay to be recommended by ChatGPT?
No. Organic recommendations come from the content and mentions AI can find. Google does sell ads in some AI experiences, but that's separate.
Do I need to stop doing SEO?
No. Many AI tools search the web first, so strong SEO still feeds AI answers.
How long does GEO take?
Site fixes can show up within weeks. Building mentions and authority across the web takes months.
Want to know how AI describes your business right now? Book a call and we'll run the test with you.
