Close your eyes and picture this…

A family in Toronto is planning their summer vacation. Instead of spending hours clicking through dozens of websites, they simply ask ChatGPT: "What's the best family-friendly resort in Ontario with kids programs and wheelchair accessibility?" Within seconds, they get a personalized recommendation complete with specific details about amenities, pricing, and booking information.

If your business isn't showing up in these AI-powered conversations, you're missing out on a massive opportunity. With over 1 billion daily searches happening on ChatGPT, AI search engines are rapidly becoming the new front door to customer discovery.

The good news?

Ranking on ChatGPT isn't about complex algorithms or expensive advertising. It comes down to two fundamental pillars that any business can master.

Pillar 1: What You Say About Yourself

Think of your digital presence as your business's biography. AI engines like ChatGPT act as research assistants, gathering information from everything you've published online to form their recommendations.

The quality and consistency of your content directly impacts whether you get recommended.

Your Website Is Your Foundation

Your homepage is the most valuable real estate for AI visibility. The H1 tag (main headline) should be keyword-rich and specific. Instead of generic messaging like "Experience excellence with us," try something like "Johnson's Auto Repair - Toronto's Trusted 24/7 Emergency Car Service Since 1995."

Create dedicated pages for each major service or product you offer. AI engines prefer specific, detailed content over generic overviews. A restaurant might have separate pages for "Private Event Catering," "Gluten-Free Menu Options," and "Outdoor Patio Dining."

FAQs Are Your Secret Weapon

People interact with AI engines conversationally, asking detailed questions like they would a knowledgeable friend. By creating comprehensive FAQ sections that answer these natural language queries, you're providing exactly the format AI tools prefer.

Instead of just answering "Do you accept walk-ins?", expand to address the full context: "We welcome walk-ins Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. However, we recommend scheduling an appointment for complex services to ensure adequate time and avoid waiting."

Social Media Consistency Matters

AI engines cross-reference multiple sources to validate information. Your Instagram bio, Facebook page, LinkedIn profile, and website should all tell the same story using consistent keywords and messaging. Mixed signals reduce your credibility in AI recommendations.

Pillar 2: What Others Say About You

External validation carries enormous weight with AI engines. Just as you'd trust a restaurant recommendation from seven friends over a paid advertisement, AI tools prioritize businesses that others consistently mention and endorse.

Reviews Are Your Digital Reputation

Google reviews, industry-specific platforms, and social media testimonials all contribute to your external authority. The key is consistency and volume. Set up systematic processes to collect feedback after every customer interaction.

Create simple follow-up sequences: a text message 24 hours after service completion, an email with direct review links, or gentle in-person requests at natural moments when customers express satisfaction.

Third-Party Mentions Build Authority

Every mention of your business across the internet contributes to your AI visibility. This includes:

Directory listings on industry marketplaces and local business sites
Media coverage in local publications, podcasts, or industry blogs
Social media mentions when customers tag you or share their experiences
Professional associations and chamber of commerce listings
Guest content like podcast appearances or contributed articles

User-Generated Content Amplifies Your Reach

Encourage customers to share their experiences naturally. Provide your social media handles prominently, create photo-worthy moments, and make sharing easy. When customers post about their positive experiences, they're creating additional touchpoints for AI discovery.

Why These Pillars Work Together

AI engines don't just look at what you say about yourself or rely solely on external mentions. They synthesize information from both sources to build confidence in their recommendations.

Think of it like ChatGPT conducting research for a friend's question. First, it checks your official information (pillar 1) to understand what you offer. Then it validates that information against what others are saying (pillar 2) to confirm you're legitimate and well-regarded.

Businesses that excel at both pillars create a reinforcing cycle. Better content leads to more customer satisfaction, which generates more positive reviews and mentions, which increases AI visibility, which brings more customers.

Getting Started Today

Start with a simple audit. Search for your business name in ChatGPT or Perplexity to see what information currently appears. Are you happy with the results? Is the information accurate and compelling?

Then focus on the pillar that needs the most attention. If your website content is weak, start there. If you have great content but few external mentions, prioritize review collection and networking.

The businesses investing in these two pillars now will have a significant advantage as AI-powered search continues to grow. Unlike traditional advertising where you can pay for placement, AI recommendations must be earned through genuine authority and expertise.

The opportunity window is wide open. The question isn't whether AI search will impact your industry - it's whether you'll be ready when it does.

If you’d like to chat more about how Marketing Coaching can support your business growth this year, fill in this application →

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🚨 Before You Go!

I’m here to build and help you implement a step-by-step, customized marketing plan that takes your business from slow to stable, earning you a generous yearly income without ever having to set foot in the office again.

If I’ve learned anything in my 14+ years of marketing and business-building experience, it’s this: there are two types of solutions - core solutions to core problems and trending solutions to trending problems.

Trying to fix a core problem (such as bad SEO and your business not showing up in a Google search) with a trending solution (posting memes of Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl) won’t work.

When we work together, we first identify the challenge on our hands and then come up with the right type of solution.

Whether you’re dealing with a challenge around setting up your business, finding clients, or just want to know what to post on social media to start seeing fresh faces in your audience - I can help.

Apply for a free discovery call today →

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