How to show up in ChatGPT: 7 steps to get your company recommended

Step 1: run the test

Before changing anything, measure where you stand. Ask ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity what a customer would ask:

• “Which [your service] companies do you recommend in [your country or city]?”
• “What’s the best option for [problem you solve]?”
• “What do people think of [your brand]?”

Note whether you appear, what they say about you, who they name instead and which sources they cite. That list of sources is your map of opportunities.

Step 2: clearly explain who you are

AI needs to understand your brand without ambiguity. Make sure your website states explicitly what you do, for whom, which countries you work in and what sets you apart. Keep the same name, description and contact details on your website, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile and directories.

Step 3: answer your customers’ questions

Assistants look for content that answers specific questions. Create pages and articles that address your customers’ real doubts: ballpark pricing, how to choose a provider, “X vs. Y” comparisons, step-by-step guides. Open each page with the direct answer.

Step 4: earn trusted mentions

Models rely on what others say about you. According to industry analyses, sites with a strong profile of links from other domains are several times more likely to be cited by ChatGPT. Some ways to get there:

• Articles and interviews in industry media.
• Case studies published together with your clients.
• Listings in specialized directories and rankings.
• Real reviews on Google and industry platforms.

Step 5: keep content up to date

AI prefers recent information: a significant share of the content it cites is only a few months old. Show a visible update date on your key pages and review them every 3 to 6 months.

Step 6: don’t block crawlers

Check your robots.txt file. If it blocks Googlebot or the search crawlers of AI platforms, such as OpenAI’s OAI-SearchBot or PerplexityBot, your content can’t appear in their answers. Blocking training crawlers is a separate decision.

Step 7: measure and repeat

Repeat the step 1 test every month with the same list of questions. In Google Analytics 4, review visits coming from chatgpt.com and perplexity.ai. You’ll see which content works and where to keep going.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying reviews or mentions. Google explicitly warns against inauthentic mentions, and they can hurt you.
• Writing for robots. Repetitive or keyword-stuffed content doesn’t get cited.
• Relying on a technical trick. Files like llms.txt don’t replace content and authority.

Frequently asked questions