How Your Business Could Get Found on ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, Gemini and The AI Engines. Important. Read This.
For the last 20 years or so, small businesses have focused on Google rankings to find new customers. If you ranked well, you got clicks, and if you didn’t, you had to pay for clicks, usually using Google Ads or Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram).
Quite simply, that is what used to happen, and to be fair, that still happens now in 95% of cases.
However, things are starting to change, and the team here at Altitude Internet is ready to help you embrace that change as we move into 2026 and the AI age.
People are now starting to ask AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok for recommendations instead of searching Google. For some searches – usually where they need an answer now. We’ll explain more as we go along.
For example, whilst you could quite easily go onto Google and search “Accountant in Solihull” or “Builder in Bromley,” many people are now using the AI tools for specific keywords like who is the best small business accountant near me.”
The AI engines give a direct answer, usually mentioning 1, two, or maybe 3 businesses, not the usual 10 that you would see on a Google search results page.
And that’s why right now being visible on AI can be incredibly valuable to many SMEs.
In this brief blog, we will help explain what that means, how to get found and why it can be good for your business.
AI chooses which businesses to mention based on a number of factors.
They don’t just pick businesses randomly. They rely on a number of signals to determine who they feature.
They look for companies that clearly explain what they do.
Companies that regularly feature across the internet, companies that are trusted and have good reviews, and companies that are regularly talked about online.
The AI models like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and Gemini recommend businesses that are easily understood and trusted by people.
Small businesses can get found by AI by being super clear about what they do.
AI struggles with websites which are vague or use industry techno-jargon on their websites.
When writing content for your website, avoid generic things like “we offer innovative bespoke solutions.”
Instead, say “we help small UK businesses with bookkeeping and payroll solutions.”
Clear, simple descriptions help the AI models better understand your business.
Consider answering real questions on your website using FAQ pages.
The AI models love content that answers common questions.
For example, “How much does a garage conversion cost?” or “Is a part-time bookkeeper worth it for a small business?”
or
How can I change a fuse in my fuse board?
or
Best questions to ask a divorce lawyer.
If your website answers the questions clearly, the AI is much more likely to trust you and reference you in its results.
It’s also important to be mentioned in more than one place.
The AI models trust businesses that appear in lots of places and not just their own website.
This means businesses that have a Google business profile, regular online reviews, are listed in business directories, or industry blogs are much more likely to be featured in the AI search results.
If considering review websites, run with a few, certainly use Google reviews, but also consider https://www.reviews.co.uk too.
Building reviews across multiple platforms shows you are credible, trusted and referenced – AI loves this.
Keep your business details consistent everywhere.
Your business name, services and location data should be identically listed across your website, your Google profile, your directory listings, your review profiles and any social media profiles.
AI models feel more confident recommending you if you are consistent across multiple channels.
Use a simple structure on your website.
AI models better understand your content when it’s well organised.
Use clear headings, bullet points, paragraphs, and definitely include FAQ sections.
Frequently asked questions are super important for the models to understand.
Focus on the local area, too, if you only cover a local area.
If you are a local business that only serves local customers, make that super clear and obvious.
Talk about your own town and County.
Detail some local customers that you’ve helped, reference their name, location, and, where possible, include a case study.
AI often gives local recommendations, so this is important.
Being found on AI is super valuable.
Because right now, you’re not competing with 10 other businesses like you are on an organic Google search result page.
On Google, people compare options by clicking from website to website.
With the AI models, you are often seen as a credible recommendation, meaning fewer comparisons, more trust and better quality leads.
Early research shows that AI leads are warmer and have a quicker decision-making process behind them.
If somebody contacts you after a recommendation from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, or Gemini, they already trust the suggestion and see you as credible.
They likely believe you are a good fit for their needs.
Being listed on the AI models also means that, over time, you will have less reliance on paid ads.
Google Ads are becoming more and more expensive as every year goes by, so being found organically using search engine optimisation and also on the AI models makes you less reliant on paying for clicks.
This doesn’t mean that you should give up on Google, far from it. Most intention-based search for service businesses still starts on Google. But there can be a real upside to optimising for AI too, so you appear on both search engines (Google and Bing) as well as the new AI engines.
To give the best chances of this, you need to clearly explain what you do, answer common questions, be visible and consistent online, and build real trust and authority.
Use structured data on your website. So, if you are using a search engine optimisation agency, which many businesses are, ask them to include structured data on your website.
By doing all of the above and focusing on reviews and linking to your Google business profile, you are more likely to be found in the AI models.
It is important to know there is no guarantee that you will be found on ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Grok by simply following the above process, as each of these models has its own algorithms, and things are changing very quickly.
However, reviewing the current landscape, the above are certainly hot tips.
For example, somebody searching for a local electrician in, say, Birmingham is much more likely to start that journey on Google.
But if they are asking a specific question like “why have my lights tripped again?” they may well go to ChatGPT for that search.
Technology is moving fast. For example, Tesla has recently launched Grok into its cars.
This means that Tesla drivers can now click a button on their steering wheel and have a live conversation with Grok as they drive along.
Asking questions like: drive me to my nearest restaurant, take me to the nearest coffee shop, take me to the nearest electric car charging station.
The landscape is changing fast, but integrating Grok into people’s cars can be a major win for businesses that are featured on Grok.
And the chances are other car makers will follow either with Grok, or their own tie-up with Google, ChatGPT or Perplexity.
If you are looking to generate more traffic, leads, and enquiries, the team here at Altitude Internet still believes you need to be found on Google primarily.
But optimising your website in a way that search engines and the AI engines are likely to list you can be a game-changer and a real benefit.
If you would like to find out more about generating good quality leads, traffic and enquiries, click here to schedule a call with a member of our team.
FAQs: Getting Your Website Listed on Grok
Below are simple, plain-English FAQs you can use on your website to explain how businesses can improve their chances of being found and mentioned by Grok and similar AI tools.
What is Grok?
Grok is an AI chatbot created by xAI.
It answers questions, explains topics, and recommends information in real time — including businesses, services, and brands — based on what it understands and trusts across the internet.
It is now rolled out to all Tesla cars in the UK and Ireland, meaning Tesla drivers can speak to Grok and find local businesses quickly and easily whilst they drive.
Can I directly submit my website to Grok?
No. There is currently no submission form or paid listing for Grok.
Grok doesn’t work like Google Ads or business directories. Instead, it learns from publicly available information across the web and uses that to decide which websites or businesses to mention.
How does Grok decide which websites to mention?
Grok looks for websites and businesses that:
Clearly explain what they do.
Are mentioned on multiple trusted websites
Have consistent business information
Show expertise in a specific topic or industry
Are regularly updated with useful content
In simple terms, Grok recommends that businesses recognise and understand.
Do I need to “optimise” my website specifically for Grok?
Not in a technical sense.
You don’t need special code or plugins. What matters most is:
Clear language
Helpful content
Strong online presence
Consistency across the web
If your website is easy for humans to understand, it’s usually easier for AI too.
What type of content helps my website get recognised by Grok?
Content that answers real questions works best, such as:
- “What does this service do?”
- “How much does it cost?”
- “Who is this service for?”
- “Is this right for small businesses?”
- “What should I expect if I hire this company?”
Pages that clearly explain your services, pricing, process, and location are especially valuable.
Does SEO still matter for Grok?
Yes — but differently.
Traditional SEO helps you rank on Google, which remains super important.
AI visibility helps Grok understand who you are and what you’re known for.
Good SEO foundations (clear pages, strong content, authoritative links) support AI discovery.
Do reviews and business listings matter?
Yes, a lot.
Grok is more likely to trust businesses that appear consistently across:
Google Business Profile
Review platforms, consider TrustPilot, Google and Reviews.io.
Industry directories
Local websites
Press mentions or case studies.
These signals help confirm your business is real, established, and trusted.
Does my location affect whether Grok mentions my business?
Absolutely.
If someone asks Grok a location-based question, it will prioritise businesses that:
Clearly state where they operate.
Mention towns, cities, or regions on their website.
Have local reviews and references
Local clarity increases the chance of being recommended.
How long does it take to be recognised by Grok?
There’s no fixed timeframe.
AI recognition builds over time as:
Your content is published.
Your business is mentioned elsewhere.
Your online footprint grows.
Think of it as long-term visibility, not an instant listing.
Can small businesses compete with large brands on Grok?
Yes — and often more easily.
AI tools value specialists, not just big names.
A clear, focused small business can be more relevant than a large, generic brand, especially for local or niche questions.
What’s the biggest mistake businesses make?
Being vague.
Websites that:
Don’t clearly explain services.
Use buzzwords instead of plain language.
Lack of real examples or answers
Are inconsistent across platforms
Are much harder for AI to understand and recommend.
What’s the simplest way to improve my chances?
Focus on three things:
Clarity – clearly say what you do and who you help.
Consistency – same information everywhere online
Credibility – reviews, mentions, useful content
Do those well, and AI tools like Grok are far more likely to recognise your business.
What Is Structured Data? (A Simple Explanation)
Structured data is extra information you add to your website to help search engines and AI tools clearly understand what your content means, not just what it says.
Think of it as labels for your website content.
Humans can usually work things out by reading.
Machines (like Google or AI models) need clearer signals.
Structured data provides those signals.
A Very Simple Analogy
Imagine your website is a box of documents.
Without structured data, Google or AI has to:
Read everything
Guess what’s important.
Guess what a product, review, address, or service is
With structured data, you’re adding sticky notes that say:
“This is our business name”
“This is our address”
“This is a service we offer”
“This is a review”
“This is a price”
That makes understanding much faster and more accurate.
What Structured Data Actually Is (In Plain English)
Structured data is:
A small block of code
Added to your website
That describes your content in a standard format that machines understand
The most common format is JSON-LD, and the most common vocabulary comes from Schema.org.
You don’t usually see structured data on the page — it sits in the background. Google and the AI models see it. This helps.
Find out more about Search Engine Optimisation just here.
Here at Altitude Internet, we see SEO and AI Search as one and the same: get found on Google (where most of the search still starts) and optimise for AI too. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but optimising for both has considerable upside.
You can also download our free SEO e-book, which is packed with useful hints and tips that you can swipe and deploy on your website to help you get found online.
Still got questions about SEO and AI Optimisation? Click here to arrange a call with the team here at Altitude Internet.
Altitude Internet is an award-winning, 5-star-rated digital marketing agency and Google Partner that has been helping SMEs get found online since 2014.
See what some of our customers have to say about Altitude Internet just here.
