People increasingly ask ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for the best business in town — and they answer with names. Here's a five-minute test to see if yours comes up, and what to do if it doesn't.
By John Traugott, founder of RankFrost · Updated July 2026
The short answer
Open ChatGPT (or Gemini, or Perplexity) and ask the way a customer would: “Who's the best [your trade] in [your city]?” and “I need a [trade] in [city] — who should I call?” Try a few phrasings. Note whether you're named, who is, and what reason the AI gives — it often points to reviews, a clear website, or reputation. That answer is a free competitive audit, and it points straight at what to fix. For the full playbook, see my AI search optimization guide.
However it responds, the result is useful. Here's how to read it.
AI recommends the business it can most clearly and confidently vouch for. You build that with the same fundamentals that win Google:
AI leans heavily on reviews when it picks a “best” — and even quotes their wording. A steady flow of genuine reviews is the strongest signal you control. Here's how to get more.
AI quotes clear, structured pages that answer real questions. A bare profile gives it nothing — which is exactly why you still need a website.
Matching name, address, and phone everywhere tells AI you're one trustworthy business, not a fuzzy guess it would rather not recommend.
Real mentions across the web — local press, directories that matter, professional profiles — add up to the prominence that gets you named over a competitor.
Just ask it, the way a customer would: “Who's the best [your trade] in [your city]?” Try a few phrasings and a few tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity). Note whether you're named and what reasons it gives.
Usually because there isn't enough clear, trustworthy information about you for it to lean on — thin or no website, few recent reviews, or inconsistent listings. AI recommends what it can confidently read and verify.
No. There's no ad slot or fee that buys a spot in an AI's recommendation. You earn it with the underlying signals — reviews, a clear site, consistent information, and real mentions. Anyone selling a guaranteed spot is not being straight with you.
It leans heavily on reviews and reputation from across the web when it decides who's “best,” and often echoes the language reviewers use. That's a big reason reviews matter for AI, not just Google.
The target differs but the inputs are nearly the same. Clear content, structured information, reviews, and consistency win both — which is why it's the same work, not a separate project. More on my AI search optimization page.
Every month or two is plenty. AI tools change often, so a periodic check tells you whether your visibility is improving and lets you catch it if the AI starts getting your details wrong.
Book a free 30-minute call. I'll run the test with you live, show you whether AI names your business, and give you an honest read on what it would take to be the answer — no obligation.
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