How to Get Your Business Cited by ChatGPT and Google AI: A Practical Guide

You've probably noticed that when you ask ChatGPT or Google's AI for recommendations, it doesn't show you a list of links. It gives you direct answers and mentions specific businesses by name. The question is: how do you become one of those businesses?

This guide covers the practical steps to get your business cited by AI assistants. No theory, no jargon - just actionable tactics you can implement.

Before diving into tactics, it helps to understand what AI models look for when choosing sources to reference. AI doesn't randomly pick businesses to mention. It assesses several factors.

Content relevance and clarity. Can AI easily extract a clear answer from your content? Pages that directly answer common questions perform better than vague corporate messaging. If someone asks "What does a marketing agency do?", AI looks for content that answers that question concisely.

Authority signals. Is your business mentioned positively across the web? Reviews, industry publications, directory listings, and social proof all contribute to AI's perception of your authority. A business mentioned on ten relevant websites carries more weight than one that only exists on its own domain.

Structured data. AI models rely heavily on schema markup to understand who you are and what you offer. Proper structured data tells AI exactly what it needs to know without guessing.

Topical depth. Does your website demonstrate genuine expertise? AI favours sources that cover topics comprehensively. A website with one paragraph about your service won't compete with one that has detailed guides, FAQs, and case studies.

Before changing anything, understand where you currently stand. This baseline helps you measure progress and identify gaps.

Test across multiple platforms. Ask ChatGPT, Google (with AI Overview enabled), Perplexity, and Claude questions your customers would ask. Use variations like "best [your service] in [your area]", "recommended [your service] UK", and specific questions about your industry.

Document who gets mentioned. Note which competitors appear and in what context. This reveals who AI currently considers authoritative in your space.

Identify patterns. Are certain types of businesses consistently mentioned? What do they have in common? Often you'll notice that cited businesses have comprehensive websites, strong review profiles, and industry presence.

If you want a systematic approach, SuperHub offers free AI visibility audits that cover all major platforms and provide actionable insights.

AI tools favour content that's easy to parse and extract answers from. This means restructuring how you present information.

Lead with direct answers. When someone lands on your service page, they should immediately find clear explanations of what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different. Don't bury this information under generic introductions.

Use question-based headings. Structure content around the questions your customers actually ask. "How much does [service] cost?", "How long does [service] take?", "What's included in [service]?" These match how people query AI assistants.

Keep paragraphs focused. Each paragraph should make one clear point. AI extracts specific passages for citation - rambling paragraphs that cover multiple topics are harder to cite accurately.

Include specific details. Vague claims like "we provide excellent service" don't get cited. Specific statements like "we've helped 200+ Devon businesses increase their online visibility" give AI something concrete to reference.

Schema markup is structured data that tells search engines and AI exactly what your content means. It's one of the most overlooked aspects of AI visibility.

LocalBusiness schema (for local businesses) tells AI your business name, address, phone number, opening hours, and service area. This is essential for appearing in location-based AI recommendations.

Organization schema establishes your business identity, including your logo, social profiles, and contact information. It helps AI understand who you are as an entity.

FAQPage schema marks up your FAQ sections so AI can easily identify questions and answers. Pages with FAQ schema are significantly more likely to be cited when AI answers related questions.

Service schema describes what services you offer, their prices, and their features. This helps AI recommend your services for relevant queries.

You can test your existing schema using Google's Rich Results Test. If you're not sure how to implement schema, most SEO agencies (including SuperHub) include this as part of their service.

AI assesses your authority based on your presence across the web, not just your own website. Building this footprint takes time but compounds significantly.

Claim and optimise directory listings. Google Business Profile is essential for local businesses. But also consider industry-specific directories, local business directories, and professional associations. Each listing reinforces your authority.

Encourage and respond to reviews. Reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and industry-specific platforms signal trustworthiness. More importantly, respond to reviews - both positive and negative. This shows AI an active, engaged business.

Get mentioned in industry content. Guest posts on industry blogs, contributions to local publications, and participation in industry discussions all create the kind of mentions that build AI authority. Quality matters more than quantity.

Maintain consistent information. Your business name, address, and phone number should be identical across all platforms. Inconsistencies confuse AI and dilute your authority signals.

Beyond restructuring existing content, create new material specifically designed for AI citation.

Comprehensive guides. Long-form content that thoroughly covers a topic positions you as an authority. A 2,000-word guide on "How to choose a marketing agency" is more likely to be cited than a 200-word service page.

FAQ sections. Dedicated FAQ pages and FAQ sections on service pages are citation goldmines. Each question-answer pair is a potential AI reference. Focus on questions your customers actually ask, not questions you wish they'd ask.

Comparison and "best of" content. Content that compares options or lists recommendations often gets cited when AI answers comparative questions. A post on "Best approaches to [problem your service solves]" can position you as the recommended solution.

Local content. If you serve a specific area, create content about that area. "Marketing for Devon businesses" or "Web design trends in the South West" helps AI associate you with geographic queries.

AI search is evolving rapidly. What works today may need adjustment as platforms change their algorithms and citation criteria.

Regular visibility checks. Monthly (at minimum), run through the same queries you used in your initial audit. Track whether your visibility is improving, declining, or holding steady.

Track competitor changes. If competitors suddenly start appearing more frequently, investigate what they've changed. Often you'll find they've implemented one of the tactics in this guide.

Stay current on platform changes. Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT's web browsing, and Perplexity's citation behaviour all evolve. Following industry news helps you adapt before visibility drops.

Expecting immediate results. AI authority builds over time. You won't go from invisible to frequently cited in a week. Realistic timelines are 2-3 months for initial improvements, 6+ months for significant positioning.

Focusing only on your website. Your website matters, but AI assesses your broader web presence. A perfect website with no external mentions won't compete against a good website with strong authority signals.

Ignoring traditional SEO. AI search optimisation builds on SEO fundamentals, not replaces them. Research shows that 76% of AI Overview citations come from pages ranking in Google's top 10. If you're not ranking, you're unlikely to be cited.

Keyword stuffing AI content. AI is sophisticated enough to recognise artificial content. Write for humans first, then optimise structure for AI. Unnatural, keyword-stuffed content performs poorly.

Neglecting mobile experience. Many AI queries happen on mobile devices. If your site doesn't work well on mobile, AI is less likely to cite you as a helpful resource.

You can implement these tactics yourself, but it takes time and expertise. If you'd rather focus on running your business, professional help accelerates results.

SuperHub's AI search optimisation service includes everything covered in this guide: visibility audits, content restructuring, schema implementation, authority building, and ongoing monitoring. We offer a free initial audit so you can understand your current position before committing to anything.

The businesses investing in AI visibility now are building authority that compounds over time. Whether you DIY or get help, the important thing is to start. Your competitors who move first will be hardest to displace later.

Want to know where you currently stand? Book a free AI visibility audit and we'll show you exactly how your business appears across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity - plus what you can do to improve.