The complete guide : How to get your business recommended by ChatGPT and Gemini
Free tool: Check my visibility for free
A new discovery channel is shaking up local marketing: conversational search engines. More and more consumers type "What's the best Japanese restaurant in Nantes?" or "Where should I get a haircut in Dublin city centre?" directly into ChatGPT or Perplexity rather than Google. And the AI's answer genuinely influences their choice. Is your business among the recommendations?
GEO: a new playground for local businesses
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the AI counterpart to SEO. Unlike Google, which displays a list of links, ChatGPT gives a direct answer with concrete recommendations. The AI draws its information from the public data available on the web: articles, guides, customer reviews, business listings, social media.
The challenge is that you don't directly control what the AI says about you. But you can influence the information sources it uses to formulate its answers. That's where a solution like Voxtya can help you manage your reviews, your online presence and your website in one place.
How to check whether AI recommends you
The method is simple: ask ChatGPT the questions your potential customers would ask. Try several phrasings:
- "What's the best [your business type] in [your city]?"
- "Where can I find a good [your speciality] in the [your neighbourhood] area?"
- "I'm looking for a well-reviewed [your business type] in [your city] — any suggestions?"
Note whether your business appears, in what position, and how it's described. Repeat the test in Perplexity and in Google's AI answers, and ask in English as well as in the local language if you get visitors from abroad: the answers can differ. If you don't show up, it points to a gap in your digital footprint that needs to be filled. You can then look at Voxtya's Visibility & insights service (€29/month) to track and improve your presence month after month.
The factors that influence AI recommendations
AI engines favour businesses with a strong digital footprint. In practice, that means:
- a high volume of positive reviews with detailed descriptions,
- mentions in blog posts or local guides,
- an active social media presence with regular content,
- and a well-structured website with rich content.
Detailed customer reviews are particularly important. A review that says "Great restaurant — the carbonara is excellent and the homemade tiramisu is incredible" gives the AI specific details to make a relevant recommendation, far more than "It's great". Encourage your customers to be specific in their reviews. Voxtya can help you collect and manage those reviews efficiently.
Optimising your online presence for GEO
To improve your chances of being recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity, you need to work on several fronts:
- Improve your Google Business Profile: make sure every piece of information is up to date and accurate.
- Grow your review volume: encourage your customers to leave detailed reviews on Google and other platforms.
- Build your social media presence: publish engaging content regularly.
- Create a quality website: make sure it works well on mobile and contains rich, relevant content.
Solutions like Voxtya provide a range of tools to help you handle each of these and improve your online visibility. For a deeper method, read our guide to getting cited by ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Concrete actions to be recommended by AI
To increase your chances of appearing in ChatGPT and other AI recommendations:
- Diversify your sources: don't limit yourself to Google. Be present on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Yellow Pages, local guides
- Create content: a blog, social media posts, detailed product descriptions
- Encourage detailed reviews: ask customers to mention specific dishes, services or experiences
- Stay consistent: the same information everywhere (name, address, specialities)
GEO is still in its early days, but business owners who prepare for it now will have a significant edge over their competitors in the months and years ahead.
Comparison of local marketing solutions
| Solution | Price | Google reviews | Prize wheel | Website | Bookings | Social media | Local SEO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horus | €69.90 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Zenchef | €150+ | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Wix + Zenchef | €150+ | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Voxtya Suite (6 services) | €119 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As the table shows, Voxtya covers every channel in one solution at a competitive price.
Case study: Le Bistrot du Marché in Lyon
Le Bistrot du Marché in Lyon decided to use Voxtya to strengthen its online presence. In 3 months, the team:
- gained 47 positive reviews on Google,
- increased its visibility on social media,
- improved its ranking in local search results.
Thanks to Voxtya, Le Bistrot du Marché grew its revenue by 15% in 6 months.
FAQ
- What is GEO?
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the AI counterpart to SEO. It means optimising your online presence so that conversational search engines such as ChatGPT recommend you.
- How can Voxtya help me?
- Voxtya offers a range of tools to manage your reviews, your social media presence, your website and your bookings. That helps you improve your online visibility and get recommended by AI engines.
- How much does Voxtya cost?
- Voxtya services start at €29 a month (€49 for a combo of 2 related services, €119 for the Suite of all 6 services). We also offer a 30-day free trial, no commitment.
In short, being recommended by ChatGPT and Perplexity takes a strong online presence. Voxtya can help you build it. Try Voxtya today and see the difference it can make for your local business. Want a quick diagnosis first? Run our free visibility check.
