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To check whether ChatGPT recommends your business, ask it the same questions your customers would ask, in the way they would ask them, and note whether you're named. Repeat the test in Gemini, Google's AI Mode and Perplexity, because each tool draws on different sources and can give different answers.
Why searching for your own name doesn't count
If you type your business name into ChatGPT, it will usually find you. That only proves AI knows you exist. It says nothing about whether AI will recommend you to a customer who has never heard of you.
The question that matters is the one a new customer asks: "Who's the best drainage company in Bristol?" or "Can you recommend a tutoring agency in west London for 11+ preparation?" That's the moment a decision gets made.
Step 1: Write down ten real customer questions
Think about how people actually describe their problem before they know your name. Include:
Category questions: "Who are the best buying agents in Bath?"
Problem questions: "My drains keep blocking, who should I call in Bournemouth?"
Comparison questions: "What's the difference between a family office recruiter and a general executive search firm?"
Specific need questions: "Which London catering companies do weekly corporate lunches?"
Use the words your customers use, not industry jargon. If you're unsure, look at the enquiry emails you receive. The way people describe their needs there is the way they describe them to AI.
Step 2: Ask each question in a fresh session
AI tools personalise answers based on previous conversations. To see what a new customer would see:
Use a private or incognito browser window, or log out.
In ChatGPT, start a new chat for every question. If you're logged in, turn off memory for the test.
Ask the question exactly as written. Don't add your business name or hint at it.
Step 3: Test across the main AI tools
Run the same ten questions through:
ChatGPT, the most widely used AI assistant.
Google AI Mode and AI Overviews, which appear directly in Google search.
Gemini, Google's standalone assistant.
Perplexity, popular with researchers and professionals.
You may find you're recommended in one and missing from another. That's normal, and it tells you something useful about where your gaps are.
Step 4: Record the results in a simple table
For each question and each tool, note:
Were you named? (Yes / No)
If yes, were you first, or one of several?
Who else was named?
Did the description of your business sound accurate?
The last point matters more than people expect. AI sometimes recommends a business but gets its location, services or prices wrong. That can be as damaging as not being mentioned at all.
Step 5: Look for the pattern
Once you have the results, three patterns usually emerge:
You're missing everywhere. AI doesn't have enough clear, consistent information to recommend you with confidence. This is usually a foundations problem.
You're named for some questions but not others. AI understands part of what you do, but not all of it. This is usually a content gap, such as a service or area you cover that isn't clearly explained anywhere.
A competitor is named everywhere. Look closely at what they do differently. It's rarely their size. It's usually that their details are clearer and more consistent.
How often should you check?
Monthly is a sensible rhythm. AI answers change as the tools update and as competitors improve their own presence. A single test is a snapshot. A monthly record shows you the trend.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay to be recommended by ChatGPT? No. ChatGPT's recommendations are not paid placements. They're based on what the model can find and verify about your business.
Why does ChatGPT give different answers each time? AI responses vary slightly between sessions. That's why you should test several questions and repeat them over time, rather than relying on one answer.
What if AI says something wrong about my business? The fix is almost always at the source. Correct the details on your website, Google Business Profile and directories so they agree. AI picks up the corrected information over time.
If you'd rather we ran this for you, our free AI Visibility audit tests the questions your customers ask across every major AI tool and shows you exactly where you stand.
