Aldren Blog

How to get your business recommended by AI

March 22, 2026 · 6 min read

More and more people are skipping Google and asking AI for recommendations instead. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity. Instead of scrolling through 10 blue links, they ask a question and get one or two names back. If your business isn't one of those names, that customer goes to someone else. And you never know it happened.

ChatGPT hit 17% of the global search market in early 2026. That's the first time anything has seriously competed with Google in 20 years. Experts predict AI search will outperform traditional search by 2030. And AI search traffic converts at 5x the rate of Google traffic, because when AI recommends a business, the customer trusts it.

So how do you get AI to recommend your business? Here's what actually works.

1. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile

This is the single fastest thing you can do. Google Business Profile is one of the primary data sources AI pulls from when making recommendations. Without it, AI literally doesn't know you exist. Make sure your profile is complete: accurate business name, address, phone number, hours, services, and photos. Add your service area. Write a detailed business description that includes what you do and where you do it.

2. Get more Google reviews (and respond to them)

AI tools weight reviews heavily when deciding who to recommend. A business with 150 recent, positive reviews will almost always outrank a business with 12 reviews from three years ago. Ask every satisfied customer for a review. Make it easy by texting them a direct link. And respond to every review, positive and negative. This signals to AI that you're active and engaged.

3. Add structured data markup to your website

Structured data (also called schema markup) is code that tells AI exactly what your business does, where you operate, what services you offer, and how to contact you. Without it, AI has to guess. With it, AI knows. Add LocalBusiness schema, Service schema, and FAQ schema to your website. This is one of the most overlooked optimizations and one of the most effective. Studies show that schema markup improves AI citation rates by 30%.

4. Create content that answers customer questions

AI searches for pages that directly match the question being asked. If someone asks "who's the best plumber in Raleigh," AI looks for content that answers that question. An FAQ page on your website that mirrors real customer queries is one of the fastest paths into AI responses. Write blog posts answering common questions in your industry. Be specific to your location. "How much does a roof replacement cost in Greensboro, NC" is exactly the kind of content AI loves to cite.

5. Build authority through citations and backlinks

AI trusts businesses that are mentioned across multiple credible sources. Get listed on industry directories, local chamber of commerce websites, and relevant review platforms. Every mention of your business with consistent name, address, and phone number builds your authority in AI's eyes. The more places AI can verify your business exists and is trusted, the more likely it is to recommend you.

6. Keep your information consistent everywhere

If your website says one phone number, your Google listing says another, and your Yelp page says a third, AI doesn't know which one is right. Inconsistent information makes AI less confident in recommending you. Audit every listing and make sure your business name, address, phone number, and services are identical everywhere.

7. Monitor your AI visibility regularly

You can't improve what you don't measure. Run regular AI visibility audits to see where you stand. Ask ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini the same questions your customers would ask and see if your business comes up. Track your competitors. See who AI recommends instead of you and figure out why.