Get Your Business Recommended by ChatGPT: Complete Guide
Want ChatGPT to recommend your business? This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to get your business cited when customers ask AI for recommendations.

Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT recommends 3-5 businesses per query—you need to be one of them
- Recommendations are based on authority, relevance, and information clarity
- FAQ content is the fastest way to get recommended
- Schema markup significantly improves your chances of being cited
- Consistency across the web builds AI trust in your business
Get Your Business Recommended by ChatGPT
Your complete guide to earning AI recommendationsEvery day, millions of people ask ChatGPT questions like:
- "Who's the best plumber in Denver?"
- "Can you recommend a good accountant for freelancers?"
- "What's the best Italian restaurant for a date night in Austin?"
ChatGPT responds with specific recommendations—usually 3-5 businesses with reasons why it recommends them.
If you're not one of those businesses, you're losing customers.This guide shows you exactly how to get your business recommended by ChatGPT.
Understanding How ChatGPT Recommends Businesses
The Old Way vs. The New Way
Google (Old Way):- User searches "best plumber Denver"
- Gets 10+ results to click through
- Compares websites, reviews, makes decision
- User asks "Who's the best plumber in Denver?"
- Gets 3-5 specific recommendations with reasons
- Contacts those businesses directly
What This Means for You
There's no "page 2" in ChatGPT. You either make the recommendation list or you don't exist to that customer.
How ChatGPT Decides Who to Recommend
ChatGPT evaluates potential recommendations based on:
- Relevance: Does this business match what the user asked for?
- Authority: Is this a trustworthy, established business?
- Clarity: Can AI clearly understand what this business does?
- Evidence: Are there signals confirming this business is good?
Most businesses fail because their online presence wasn't built with AI in mind.
The 7-Step Framework to Get Recommended
Step 1: Nail Your Business Identity
ChatGPT needs to understand exactly who you are before it can recommend you.
Create a Clear Business Statement: [Business Name] is a [type of business] in [location]. We specialize in [primary services]. We're known for [key differentiator]. We serve [target customers] in the [service area]. Example: "Denver Family Dental is a family dentistry practice in Denver, CO. We specialize in general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and pediatric care. We're known for our anxiety-free approach and same-day appointments. We serve families throughout the Denver metro area."This statement should appear prominently on your website and be consistent across all platforms.
Step 2: Answer Every Question Customers Ask
The fastest path to ChatGPT recommendations is comprehensive FAQ content.
Build Your FAQ Foundation: Tier 1: Basic Questions- What services do you offer?
- What areas do you serve?
- What are your hours?
- How do I contact you?
- How much does [service] cost?
- How long does [service] take?
- Do you offer [specific service/feature]?
- What makes you different from competitors?
- Are you licensed/insured/certified?
- How long have you been in business?
- What are your credentials?
- What do customers say about you?
- Do you work with [specific customer type]?
- Can you handle [specific situation]?
- What should I do if [common scenario]?
Create a dedicated FAQ page with at least 15-20 questions. Update it monthly based on actual customer inquiries.
Step 3: Implement Schema Markup
Schema markup is structured code that helps AI understand your content. It's like giving ChatGPT a data sheet about your business.
Essential Schema to Implement:- LocalBusiness Schema: Core business information
- FAQ Schema: Marks up your FAQ content
- Service Schema: Details your services
- Review Schema: Highlights customer reviews
Step 4: Build Consistent Authority
ChatGPT looks for businesses it can trust. Trust comes from consistency and authority signals.
Consistency Checklist:- Business name exactly the same everywhere
- Address format identical across platforms
- Phone number consistent (including format)
- Services described consistently
- Hours accurate and matching
- Google Business Profile claimed and optimized
- Listed in industry-specific directories
- Mentioned on local business sites
- Professional memberships displayed
- Credentials prominently featured
Step 5: Generate Recommendable Reviews
ChatGPT reads reviews to understand what customers say about you. Generic 5-star reviews aren't as valuable as detailed ones.
What Makes a Review AI-Valuable:- Mentions specific services used
- Describes the experience in detail
- Includes the outcome or result
- Mentions staff by name (if applicable)
- Notes specific qualities (fast, professional, affordable)
Step 6: Create Supporting Content
Beyond your FAQ, create content that establishes expertise.
High-Value Content Types: Service Pages - Detailed pages for each service Location Pages - Pages for each area you serve Educational Content - Guides that answer customer questionsStep 7: Monitor and Optimize
Getting recommended isn't set-and-forget. Monitor regularly and improve.
Weekly Checks:- Ask ChatGPT about your service in your area
- Note if you're mentioned and how you're described
- Track competitor mentions
Get Your Personalized Roadmap
Every business is different. Our free AI visibility audit:
- Shows exactly where you stand with ChatGPT
- Identifies specific issues preventing recommendations
- Provides prioritized action items
- Compares you to competitors
Start Getting Recommended Today
ChatGPT recommendations are becoming increasingly important for customer acquisition. The businesses that optimize now will capture this growing channel.
Your Next Steps:- Get your free audit to see current visibility
- Implement the framework above
- Monitor and improve over time
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get ChatGPT to recommend my business?
To get recommended by ChatGPT: 1) Create comprehensive FAQ content, 2) Implement schema markup, 3) Ensure business information consistency, 4) Build authority through reviews and mentions, 5) Create content that directly answers customer questions.
What makes ChatGPT choose one business over another?
ChatGPT evaluates businesses based on: clarity of information, authority signals (reviews, mentions, credentials), relevance to the specific query, quality of content that answers customer questions, and structured data that helps AI understand your business.
How many businesses does ChatGPT typically recommend?
ChatGPT typically recommends 3-5 businesses when asked for recommendations. Unlike Google where you can rank anywhere on page 1, with ChatGPT you either make the short list or you are invisible.
Can a small business get recommended over larger competitors?
Yes! ChatGPT values relevance and specificity over size. A small business that is clearly the expert in a specific niche often gets recommended over larger generalists. Focus on being the best answer for specific customer needs.
How quickly can I get my business recommended by ChatGPT?
Most businesses see improved ChatGPT recommendations within 4-8 weeks of implementing optimization. The timeline depends on your starting point and how comprehensively you implement changes.
Cited Team
AI Search Optimization Experts
The Cited team has analyzed over 10,000 websites for AI search visibility. Our experts combine deep technical knowledge with practical experience helping businesses get found by ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other AI assistants.
Topics
Ready to Optimize Your Site for AI Search?
Get a free GEO audit and see your optimization score in 90 seconds.
Start Free Audit


