AI search explained: how to get your business mentioned by ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

A growing number of people no longer scroll through ten blue links. They ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity or Google's AI Overviews a question, such as "who is a reliable electrician in Croydon?", and read the answer. Being part of that answer is the new front page.

Optimising for this is often called generative engine optimisation (GEO) or AI SEO. The good news: it builds on the same foundations as good SEO.

How AI assistants choose who to mention

AI tools build their answers from information they can find and trust. That includes websites, business listings, review sites, news articles and forums. When lots of reliable sources say consistent things about your business, you are far more likely to be mentioned.

In practice, AI answers tend to favour businesses that are:

• Clearly described: what you do, where you do it and who you do it for.
• Consistent: the same name, address and phone number everywhere.
• Well reviewed: plenty of recent, genuine reviews that mention your services.
• Referenced elsewhere: listed in directories and mentioned on other websites.

Practical steps you can take now

Write pages that answer real questions

AI tools love clear answers. Add a short FAQ to each service page covering the questions customers really ask: how much, how long, which areas, what happens on the day. Answer them plainly in the first sentence.

Use structured data

Structured data (schema markup) is hidden code that tells search engines exactly what your business is, where it is and what it offers. It helps machines read your site with confidence.

Keep your listings tidy

Check your Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect and the main directories for your trade. Out-of-date phone numbers or old addresses confuse both people and AI.

Earn mentions, not just links

Local news stories, sponsorships, trade association listings and partner websites all help. AI tools notice when a business is talked about.

Will AI search replace Google?

Not overnight. Traditional search still sends most local enquiries. But the businesses that show up well in both will have an advantage, and the work largely overlaps.

Want to know whether AI tools mention you today? Our free SEO audit includes an AI search visibility check.