Lately, you’ve probably noticed a shift in how people talk about finding answers online. It used to be, “I Googled it.” Now it’s more like, “According to AI…” Whether it’s ChatGPT, Gemini, or another AI assistant, more and more people are turning to these tools to get recommendations, do research, and even find businesses.
If you run a small or mid-sized business in a competitive field, this shift matters. And the big question is:
“How do you get your business to show up in AI-generated answers – not just in Google search results?“
First, What Does It Mean to “Show Up in AI”?
Unlike Google, AI tools don’t always show a list of links or websites. Instead, they generate complete answers based on a mix of what they’ve been trained on – and, if they have browsing turned on, what they can pull from the live web.
If your business only shows up when someone types in your exact name – and not when they search more generally like “best plumbers near me” or “top marketing firms in Chicago” – that’s actually pretty common.
The upside? It’s something you can improve. With the right strategy, your business can start getting mentioned in broader, high-intent AI responses – the kind people rely on when they’re ready to take action.
Getting noticed by AI isn’t about being indexed the same way as in Google. It’s more about being visible, trustworthy, and showing up in the kinds of sources AI tools pull from when generating answers.
So Where Does AI Get Its Info?
Most AI tools pull from:
- Articles, blogs, and news stories
- Public databases like Google Business, Yelp, and Wikipedia
- Forums like Reddit, Quora, or niche community sites
- Well-structured websites that offer helpful content
- Customer reviews and ratings
If your business is active and visible in those kinds of places, you’re much more likely to be included in AI responses – even when people don’t mention your business name directly.
Interesting reads: Just Got Banned from Reddit or Quora? Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Them for Traffic
How well-known do you need to be to get a Wikipedia Page (and not have it removed)?
How to Get Your Business Noticed by AI (Not Just Google)
Here’s what you can do to improve your chances of showing up in AI-generated answers:
1. Go Beyond SEO
Having solid SEO is still important – but AI looks at more than keywords and backlinks. It looks for mentions, reviews, and signs that people trust your brand – aka trust signals. That means getting listed on business directories, earning positive reviews, and being cited in blogs or local media.
2. Create Helpful, Specific Content
AI loves content that answers questions clearly. So instead of just selling your services, think about what your customers ask all the time 0 and write blog posts or FAQs that genuinely help them. Bonus points if you can include your location and niche in a natural way.
3. Get Mentioned Elsewhere Online
AI pays attention to how often your business is mentioned across the web. You don’t need to go viral, but getting a few mentions on blogs, forums, or industry websites can make a big difference.
4. Be Active on Review Platforms
Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini often reference Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, and similar sites. If you haven’t focused much on getting reviews, now’s the time. And respond to them – that adds credibility too.
5. Claim and Complete Your Business Listings
Fill out your Google Business Profile completely, and make sure info like your hours, services, and contact details are accurate. Do the same for other platforms like Yelp and Bing. Structured info like this is easy for AI to understand and use.
6. Ask the AI What It Says About You
Seriously – try it. Ask ChatGPT or Gemini, “What are the best [your service] providers in [your city]?” or “Who offers [service] near me?”
If you’re not a local business, keep it general and ask broader questions like, “What are the best [your service] providers?” or “Top tools for [your service].”
See what comes up. If your business isn’t mentioned, take a look at who is. What kind of content are they putting out? Where are they getting mentioned? What kind of reviews or backlinks do they have?
This isn’t just about checking your ranking – it’s about understanding what AI tools consider helpful, trustworthy, and relevant in your space. Once you know that, you can start aligning your content and strategy to match.
The Bottom Line
The way people search is changing. AI tools are becoming the first stop for many users – and your business needs to be part of that conversation.
The good news? If you’ve already been investing in good SEO, you’re ahead of the curve. Now it’s just about expanding your presence in places that AI tools rely on. Think less about “ranking” and more about “being talked about and trusted.”
It’s not magic—it’s about being seen where it counts.
If you want help making sure your business shows up in AI as well as Google, reach out. We specialize in building websites and digital strategies that don’t just keep up with trends – they get ahead of them.
Let’s make sure your business isn’t left out of the next generation of search.
Ready to design & build your own website? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.