A hot topic right now for small businesses is getting found via Chat GPT and other AI platforms. For over a decade it was all about SEO and Google search and now it’s all about AI. It’s always been about being a brand that people recommend. And, a real-life recommendation from a trusted friend is still the best and will always be the best.
But how does that translate into being found online? I’ve always believed that your online representation should be an accurate reflection of who you are offline. But of course, I will admit this does take a bit of effort.
I know for the Gen X and Baby Boomer generations it’s annoying to hear that if it didn’t happen on Instagram did it really happen? Yes, you can keep your personal life offline, but your business needs its mirror image online. This isn’t news, it’s been like this for awhile but with AI and the aging of millennials and Gen Z it’s even more important.
AI is pulling from all kinds of different sources. The more places you can be found, the better. The more places you have reviews, the better. If people are talking about you on Reddit, even better.
Make it easier for people to talk about you online by being easily found and tagged. Can they easily find you and share a link to your website? Do you have social profiles that they can tag in recommendations or posts?
On your website, create better content with depth and clarity. Invest in SEO. Fifty percent of AI citations come from the top of Google results. Use Q & A formats, lists, and clear headings. Add credible stats and sources to boost trust. Publish YouTube videos. Use AI to record yourself answering important customer questions and then ask it to create a web page or blog using the information. Make sure it’s conversational and real.
If the content exists in the digital world AI can reference it. The more conversational and human it is the better. The bottom line? Being discoverable isn’t just about ranking anymore—it’s about being worth recommending. Show up in more places, make your content conversational and helpful, and make it ridiculously easy for both people and AI to talk about you. Because when someone asks ChatGPT for a recommendation, you want your business to be the one that comes up.
Start with one thing this week: answer a common customer question on your website in a clear, natural way. That’s content AI can work with—and more importantly, content your customers will actually find useful.
Fun Fact: The headline and bolded conclusion was written by AI. The italics is all me. Claude AI did a good job. I did okay.
