There is no button that inserts a business into ChatGPT recommendations. Start with accurate public information, accessible pages, and explanations that answer buyer questions. Then observe search answers with their context recorded.
Separate web search from answers without search
Before assessing a result, record whether the experience performs a web search and whether it includes linked sources. An answer without search and one retrieving web sources are not equivalent tests.
Record the question, language, relevant location, and time. A broad prompt such as “recommend a renovation company” may poorly represent someone looking for kitchen work in a particular service area.
Give readers a complete picture of the business
Choose your most important service or product page. A reader should understand the offer, who it suits, and how to take the next step without guessing.
- Consistent business name, offer, relevant service area, and contact details.
- Accurate specifications or service limits rather than a list of keywords.
- The process and pricing criteria, where already decided.
- Answers to questions the business actually receives.
- Available photos, examples, or evidence approved for publication.
Review OAI-SearchBot and website access
OpenAI uses OAI-SearchBot for ChatGPT search features. GPTBot relates to model training; the settings are independent. Allowing search access does not require an identical choice about training.
Review robots.txt alongside CDN or firewall rules. Access allowed at one layer can still be blocked at another. Use the official documentation and published IP ranges when checking access, then test whether important pages can be read. Access does not guarantee selection as a source.
Source: OpenAI — Overview of crawlers
Does this also apply to Gemini, Copilot, and Google?
Accurate business information is useful in many places, but platforms differ. Google AI Overviews and AI Mode are Search features; their eligibility guidance is not a universal rule for the Gemini app.
For Copilot, Bing’s AI Performance reporting can provide citation context across its covered experiences. Name the exact platform and feature when reporting observations, including when reviewing Perplexity or other AI search services.
Source: Google Search Central — AI features and your websiteBing Webmaster Blog — Introducing AI Performance
Keep a comparable observation record
Use a planned sample of customer questions. Save the full question, platform, time, search status, answer, and source links. Distinguish a mentioned business from a cited page.
If an answer uses old information, inspect its source before rewriting the whole website. If the business is absent, that alone does not identify a particular technical fault.
Start with one page
Choose a page that supports a buyer’s decision, fill information gaps, and record changes. Recheck access and clarity. AI observation can sit alongside available search and inquiry data.
If you need help, an AEO and GEO audit can start with public pages. The review scope and any unavailable data are recorded from the outset.
Put it into practice.
Use the self-check to prioritize improvements to your website.
Open the website self-check