AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google Gemini recommend businesses they find clear, consistent and reliable information about online – on the company’s own website, but also on other websites, in reviews and business directories. For your business to be recommended, AI needs to be able to read your website, understand what you do and see that others mention you.
How do AI tools choose which businesses to recommend?
When a user asks, for example, “what’s a good marketing agency in Belgrade”, the AI tool searches the web or uses what it learned earlier, and picks sources it trusts. Businesses with a clear website full of specific information, consistent contact details across the web, reviews and mentions on relevant websites have the advantage.
7 steps to make your business visible in AI search
1. Allow AI bots to access your website
Make sure your robots.txt file, firewall or security plugin doesn’t block bots such as GPTBot, OAI-SearchBot, ClaudeBot and PerplexityBot. If a bot can’t read your website, it can’t recommend it.
2. Clearly describe who you are and what you do
Your website should state your company name, industry, location, contact details and a specific description of your services. Structured data (schema markup) for your business, services and FAQs helps machines understand this information correctly.
3. Write content in a question-and-answer format
AI tools most easily quote text that directly answers a question. Use headings phrased as questions, put the answer in the first sentence and add an FAQ section to key pages.
4. Set up a Google Business Profile and collect reviews
A Google Maps profile with accurate details and real client reviews is one of the strongest trust signals, for both Google and AI tools.
5. Be present on other websites
Business directory listings, media mentions, guest articles and links from clients’ websites show AI tools that your business exists and that others recommend it.
6. Submit your website to Bing Webmaster Tools
ChatGPT search relies heavily on Bing, so submitting your site to Bing Webmaster Tools is a simple but often overlooked step.
7. Add an llms.txt file
llms.txt is a short site map for AI tools, with a description of your business and links to your most important pages. On WordPress websites it can be enabled through some SEO plugins.
What doesn’t help in AI search?
- Stuffing keywords without real content.
- Mass-publishing generic articles without specific information.
- Different or outdated contact details on different websites.
How to check whether AI recommends you?
Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini the questions your customers would ask, for example “best [your service] agency in [your city]”. Track whether your business appears and which sources the AI cites, then work on the places where you’re missing.
Frequently asked questions about AI search
Is optimizing for AI the same as traditional SEO?
Largely, yes. Good SEO is the foundation, and AI optimization adds an emphasis on clear answers, structured data and your business’s presence on other websites.
How long until AI starts recommending a business?
It depends on how much information about the business is already available online. The technical steps are done quickly, while building reputation and mentions is a long-term process.
Can recommendations in AI tools be bought?
Organic recommendations can’t be bought – AI tools base them on the information they find about your business. That’s why a quality website and a good online reputation are the best strategy.
See our SEO service or send us an inquiry and we’ll check how visible your business is in AI search.