How to Check If AI Is Recommending Your Business
To check if AI recommends your business: Open ChatGPT, type "Who is the best [your service] in [your city]?" and see if you're mentioned. Repeat on Claude, Perplexity, and Google. If competitors appear but you don't, you have an AI visibility gap that's costing you customers.
Right now, someone in your city is asking ChatGPT: "Who's the best [your service] around here?"
The question is: Are you the answer?
Most business owners have no idea whether AI platforms recommend them or their competitors. They're flying blind while potential customers get sent elsewhere.
This 5-minute test will show you exactly where you stand—and whether you're losing business to competitors who've figured out Answer Engine Optimization.
The 5-Minute AI Visibility Test
Open ChatGPT
Go to chat.openai.com and start a new conversation. The free version works fine for this test—you don't need a paid account.
💡 Tip: Use an incognito/private browser window to avoid any personalization affecting results.
Ask for a Recommendation
Type a question your ideal customer would ask. Use natural language—the way a real person would phrase it.
Example prompts to try:
- "Who is the best [your service] in [your city]?"
- "Can you recommend a [your service] in [your area]?"
- "I need a [your service] in [your city]. Who should I call?"
- "What [your service type] do you recommend in [your city]?"
Analyze the Response
Look carefully at what ChatGPT returns. Check for:
- •Your business name — Are you mentioned by name?
- •Competitor names — Who else is mentioned?
- •Position — If you are mentioned, are you first, last, or buried?
- •Context — Does it mention your specialties or just your name?
📸 Screenshot the results. You'll want to compare over time.
Test Other Platforms
Repeat the same question on these platforms:
claude.ai — Anthropic's AI assistant
perplexity.ai — AI-powered search
google.com — Look for AI box at top
bing.com — Microsoft's AI search
Score Your Results
Use this simple scorecard to assess your AI visibility:
| Platform | You Mentioned? | Competitors? |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Yes / No | Yes / No |
| Claude | Yes / No | Yes / No |
| Perplexity | Yes / No | Yes / No |
| Google AI Overview | Yes / No | Yes / No |
| Bing Copilot | Yes / No | Yes / No |
What Your Results Mean
Mentioned on 4-5 Platforms
You have strong AI visibility. Focus on maintaining your position and expanding to new query types. Consider monitoring competitors to stay ahead.
Mentioned on 2-3 Platforms
You have partial visibility but gaps exist. Some platforms recognize you, others don't. Targeted optimization could significantly expand your reach.
Mentioned on 0-1 Platforms
You're largely invisible to AI. If competitors are being mentioned, they're capturing leads that should be going to you. This is an urgent competitive gap.
The Real Warning Sign
The most concerning result isn't being mentioned on zero platforms—it's when competitors are mentioned but you're not. That means AI platforms have enough information about your market to make recommendations, and they're actively choosing others over you.
Why AI Might Not Be Recommending You
If you're invisible to AI platforms, it's usually one (or more) of these issues:
Missing Schema Markup
AI needs structured data to understand your business. Without proper schema, you're just unstructured text.
No Direct-Answer Content
Your content doesn't directly answer the questions people ask AI. It talks about you instead of helping them.
Weak Authority Signals
AI can't verify your expertise. No reviews, credentials, or proof that you know what you're talking about.
Thin Content
A few pages with basic info doesn't demonstrate expertise. AI favors comprehensive, authoritative sources.
The good news: all of these are fixable. Learn more about how ChatGPT chooses which businesses to recommend.
What To Do With Your Results
If you're being recommended:
- ✓Document your current position (screenshot everything)
- ✓Set up monthly monitoring to catch any changes
- ✓Test additional query variations to find gaps
- ✓Watch for competitor improvements
If you're NOT being recommended:
- →Understand what competitors are doing differently
- →Audit your schema markup and structured data
- →Create content that directly answers customer questions
- →Consider a professional AEO strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't ChatGPT recommend my business?
ChatGPT recommends businesses based on the information available in its training data and web searches. If your business lacks authoritative content, proper schema markup, or clear expertise signals, AI platforms may not have enough information to confidently recommend you.
How often should I test my AI visibility?
Test monthly at minimum. AI platforms update their knowledge and algorithms regularly. What works today may change, and competitors may improve their AI visibility over time.
Does being recommended by AI actually bring in customers?
Yes. When AI recommends your business by name, it acts as a trusted referral. These leads often convert at higher rates because the AI has essentially pre-qualified you as a credible option.
What if AI recommends my competitors but not me?
This is a competitive gap you can close. Your competitors likely have better-structured content, more comprehensive schema markup, or stronger authority signals. Answer Engine Optimization can help you become the recommended choice instead.
Can I improve my AI recommendations myself?
Basic improvements like adding schema markup and creating direct-answer content can help. However, comprehensive AI visibility requires systematic optimization across multiple platforms, which typically requires specialized expertise and tools.
How long does it take to start getting AI recommendations?
With proper optimization, initial AI citations can appear within 30-60 days. Significant, consistent recommendations typically develop over 2-4 months as AI platforms index and trust your content.
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