ChatGPT and AI are the words on everyone’s lips right now. Naturally, as business owners, we want to know if our business, products, and services can be found via people searching on ChatGPT, Google’s AI Mode or other AI tools like Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and more.
Now, I’m not a ChatGPT or AI expert (yet!), but I’m actively learning these tools and using my knowledge to integrate GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) strategies into our toolbox of services for clients.
GEO, or Generative Engine Optimisation, is the process of optimising your online presence so AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can accurately discover and describe your business.
Let’s start at the very beginning. How can you find out if your business is showing up in ChatGPT?
Step 1: Check Your AI Visibility
It’s simpler than you might think. Open ChatGPT, or the AI tool you’re curious about, and type a prompt like:
- What reviews or mentions does {insert your business name} have online?
- What can you tell me about {insert your business name}?
- Where is {insert your business name} located, and what do they offer?
Here’s what ChatGPT can tell us about Grand Cru Digital. Through this analysis, we can see:
- Which sources ChatGPT pulls from (for us, it includes directories like Zyppy Marketing and SEMRush).
- That ChatGPT is using information from our website, indicated by the little grey source bubbles at the end of its answers.
This is a fantastic way to see how AI tools and search engines perceive your website, and, more importantly, how potential customers might see your business.
Step 2: What if AI gets it wrong, or doesn’t show your business at all?
First, check your Google presence. In order to perform well in AI tools, you need to have solid SEO foundations:
- Is your website showing up in Google search?
- Have you claimed and optimised your Google Business Profile?
- Are your social media channels listed and active?
- Do you have mentions on other websites, review platforms, and business directories?
For example, here’s what a branded search for our business looks like:
You won’t do well in ChatGPT or AI Tools if you don’t do well via organic Google search 😉
The bottom line: it’s not about “submitting” your business to AI tools—it’s about improving your online footprint so AI has reliable, third-party verified information to draw from.
Step 3: Track Your AI-Driven Traffic
Once your presence is established, it’s time to track visits from ChatGPT and other AI tools. This lets you understand:
- How people are finding you through AI.
- Which content is most effective in AI-driven search.
- Where there may be gaps or opportunities to improve.
We recommend:
- Set up an AI Traffic report in GA4.
- Create a Google Looker Studio dashboard (like the one we use for our clients) to visualise all your AI data in one place.
This gives you a clear view of your AI visibility and website performance at a glance.
Grab our AI Traffic Google Looker Studio template here.
Step 4: Improve and correct your information
If you notice AI is showing incorrect info, take action:
- Update your website content with accurate, structured data.
- Claim and optimise business listings on directories and review sites.
- Encourage genuine customer reviews on trusted third-party platforms.
- Monitor AI mentions regularly and update as needed.
Step 5: Why GEO matters for the future
GEO, or Generative Engine Optimisation, is about ensuring your business can be accurately discovered and described by AI tools. Businesses that optimise now may gain a competitive edge as AI becomes an increasingly common first point of research for potential customers.
Some trends to watch:
- AI tools will rely more on verified data sources.
- Structured data (schema markup) will become even more important.
- Brands that prioritise accurate AI visibility will stand out to both humans and AI algorithms.
? Quick GEO Checklist
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile.
- Ensure your website is SEO-optimised for branded and service-related searches.
- List your business on relevant directories and review platforms.
- Keep social media channels updated.
- Track AI traffic via GA4 and Looker Studio dashboards.
The bottom line: Your AI visibility isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about building a solid, verifiable online presence that both search engines and AI tools trust.
