When someone asks ChatGPT or Perplexity to recommend a business in your sector, one of two things happens: it names you, or it names your competitor. Here's how to check for yourself whether your business shows up — and what to do if it doesn't.
Why appearing in ChatGPT matters
More and more people don't open Google: they ask an AI directly. "Which accountant do you recommend in Jaén?", "best dental clinic near me", "which tool should I use for invoicing?". The AI answers with a handful of specific names. If yours isn't there, that client doesn't even know you exist.
And here's the key: it's not about whether you're good. You can be the best in your area and still not show up, simply because the AI has no reason to know you yet.
How to check it yourself (free, in 5 minutes)
You don't need any tool for a first check. Do this:
- Open ChatGPT (or Perplexity, or Gemini) in a window where you haven't talked about your business.
- Ask as a client would, without naming yourself: "Which [your sector] do you recommend in [your city]?".
- Look at the answer: does your business appear? Who shows up in your place?
- Repeat with 2-3 variants (by service, by area) and try a different AI.
Honest note: AIs don't always know very local or very new businesses, and their answers vary from day to day. Not showing up once isn't a final verdict — but if you don't appear in any test, you have a visibility gap worth working on.
What it means if you DON'T appear
The AI not citing you is almost never about the quality of your work. It's usually one of these:
- Your site doesn't have the structure AIs need to understand you (structured data, clear answers).
- Nobody mentions or links to you yet: AI trusts businesses already cited by others.
- Your Google listing and reviews are weak or missing.
- You're new and simply haven't entered the AI's "radar" yet.
What to do if you don't show up
The good news: it can be worked on. This is, in essence, what we call GEO (optimisation for AI engines). The highest-impact steps:
- Structured data (Schema): tell the AI in its own language what you do, where and for how much.
- Citable content: direct answers to your clients' real questions (a good FAQ is gold).
- Local SEO: a complete Google Business Profile and real reviews.
- Authority: getting others to mention and link you. The slowest part, but what gives the AI most confidence.
A faster way: the GeoMind Score
Checking by hand is fine to start, but it's slow and subjective. That's why I built the GeoMind Score: a tool that actually asks the AI about your sector and tells you, with real data, whether your business appears, in what position, and which competitors show up in your place. No made-up percentages: only what the AI replies.
Want to know if you appear in ChatGPT?
I'll check it with the GeoMind Score and tell you exactly what to do to show up. Ask me for free access.
Try the GeoMind Score →
Frequently asked questions
Do people really look for businesses in ChatGPT?
More and more, especially for recommendations. And someone asking AI is usually about to decide, so showing up there is valuable.
If I don't appear today, is it forever?
No. AI visibility is built. With the right structure and authority you can start appearing within weeks or a few months.
Does this replace Google SEO?
No, it complements it. You need both: Google is still huge, and AI is what's growing fastest.
Can I work on GEO myself?
The basics yes (a clear FAQ, an up-to-date Google listing). The technical part (structured data, authority) usually needs help. That's what I'm here for.
LS
Lorena Sanz
Founder of GeoMind SEO, specialist in SEO + GEO: ranking on Google and in AI engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini).
geomindseo@gmail.com