When someone asks ChatGPT “what is the best plumber in Marbella?” — the AI searches the web, evaluates what it finds, and recommends specific businesses by name. If you are not one of them, you are missing out on a growing source of customers.
Here is how ChatGPT decides who to recommend, and how to position your business to be chosen.
Step 1: ChatGPT Searches the Web
When asked about a local business, ChatGPT fires off background web searches — what are called shadow queries. These are not the same searches a human would type. They might be more specific, more comparative, or phrased differently. I extract these queries for your niche and build content targeting each one.
Step 2: It Evaluates Sources
ChatGPT reads the websites and listings it finds, looking for: depth of relevant content, structured data it can parse, consistency of business information, quality and quantity of reviews, and whether the source appears authoritative.
Step 3: It Synthesises a Recommendation
Based on what it found, ChatGPT names one to three businesses it considers the best answers. The businesses with the strongest signals across all these factors get mentioned.
What You Need to Do
Optimise your Google Business Profile completely. Build a comprehensive website with structured content. Implement schema markup. Build consistent citations. Generate genuine reviews. This is the complete GEO strategy that I implement for every client.
Get Your Free AI Visibility Report
Find out if ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI are recommending your business — or your competitor.
Or contact Greg directly: +34 633 856 321 · WhatsApp · [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay to be recommended by ChatGPT?
No. ChatGPT recommendations are based on what it finds when searching the web, not on paid placements. The only way to be recommended is to have a strong, well-optimised online presence.
How do I check if ChatGPT recommends me?
Open ChatGPT with web search enabled and ask it to recommend a business like yours in your area. I also offer a free AI visibility report that checks this across multiple AI platforms.
Does ChatGPT recommend different businesses each time?
It can. Recommendations depend on the phrasing of the question and what information ChatGPT finds when searching. Consistent, comprehensive online presence increases your chances of being mentioned regardless of how the question is asked.
How long does it take to start appearing in ChatGPT recommendations?
There is no fixed timeline. It depends on how quickly your optimised content gets indexed and how strong your entity signals become. Some businesses see results within weeks, others take months.
Can my competitor stop me from being recommended?
No. AI recommendations are based on publicly available information. If your online presence is stronger, more consistent, and better structured than your competitor, AI systems will favour you.