How to Make Your Business Show Up in AI Search Results (Like ChatGPT & Perplexity)

Remember when people used to say, “Just Google it”?

Now it’s all about: “Ask ChatGPT.”

Whether it’s building a high-protein meal plan or planning a trip to Europe, more people are turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT to get instant answers. Even Google has joined the shift, rolling out ‘AI Overviews’ that eliminate the need to scroll through links.

While Google searches and social media feeds still matter, an increasing number of consumers are turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity to find recommendations, products, and services. These platforms act like smart assistants, pulling together information from across the internet to deliver answers in seconds.

That means your business is no longer just competing for clicks on search engines—you're competing to be mentioned by AI.

The shift from traditional search to AI-powered discovery is transforming how customers find businesses…and fast. For small businesses, being early to adapt isn’t just smart; it’s a real competitive advantage.

According to a [Semrush study](https://www.semrush.com/blog/ai-search-seo-traffic-study/?utm_campaign=llm-seeding&utm_source=backlinko.com&utm_medium=referral&_gl=1*1la3wpc*_ga*MTU3NjYxNzc0Ni4xNzUxMDU2NDc1*_ga_HYWKMHR981*czE3NTU1MjkyNzEkbzQkZzAkdDE3NTU1MjkyNzEkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_BPNLXP3JQG*czE3NTU1MjkyNzEkbzQkZzAkdDE3NTU1MjkyNzEkajYwJGwwJGgxMTQ0MDMyNjI4),

> “AI search traffic will surpass traditional search by the end of 2027.”

 ###### ([Image Source](https://backlinko.com/llm-seeding?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engage_brand_EduNewsletterOthers_mass_en_010825_free_newsletter&utm_content=blog&mkt_tok=NTE5LUlJWS04NjkAAAGcBEbJB6E83UTUo2WdccCHXT2WRfZCm2a9683cuTr0aYv_k1rgE83_knvCtI_mwlk989zmUHaESyL179N-SQXARFkVni2vySrTU20P6lSXRcOQ2Avr))

How do you make sure your business shows up? How do you prepare for a zero-click, LLM-driven world?

Let’s break it down.

## AI Search vs. Google Search: Why It Matters for Your Business

Google and AI search represent two very [different ways of finding information](https://www.seo.com/ai/will-ai-replace-google/#:~:text=AI%20vs.&text=Google%20has%20long%20been%20the,more%20personalized%20and%20conversational%20experiences.).

Traditional Google search relies on keyword matching and link-based algorithms to rank web pages. It shows you a list of blue links, sponsored ads, and snippets, and it’s up to you to click, scan, and compare results.

AI search, on the other hand, is built on large language models (LLMs) that understand natural language and context by incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning. Instead of matching exact terms, these platforms interpret the intent behind your question and generate a conversational, summarized response.

 ###### ([Image Source](https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/i-just-tested-google-vs-chatgpt-search-and-im-shocked-by-the-results))

These AI platforms powered by LLMs are becoming the new search engines. For example, instead of searching: “Email marketing platform comparison”

A user might now ask: “What’s the easiest email tool for beginners with a Shopify store?”

And instead of clicking through 10 links, they get a clear, direct answer pulled from reviews, rankings, and expert content across the web.

This shift is changing how customers discover brands. AI platforms don’t just reference your website; they analyze your presence, positioning, and trust signals from across the internet to generate helpful responses.

This means your business doesn't just need to rank; it needs to be *mentioned*. This is where a strategy called [LLM seeding](https://backlinko.com/llm-seeding?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engage_brand_EduNewsletterOthers_mass_en_010825_free_newsletter&utm_content=blog&mkt_tok=NTE5LUlJWS04NjkAAAGcBEbJB6E83UTUo2WdccCHXT2WRfZCm2a9683cuTr0aYv_k1rgE83_knvCtI_mwlk989zmUHaESyL179N-SQXARFkVni2vySrTU20P6lSXRcOQ2Avr) comes in. It’s the art of getting your brand, product, or insights into the formats and sources that AI platforms are most likely to ingest, quote, or paraphrase, even if they don’t link to you directly.

When your business is referenced in AI-generated answers (even without a clickable link), you’re building valuable brand visibility that influences buyer decisions.

 ([Example](https://backlinko.com/llm-seeding?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engage_brand_EduNewsletterOthers_mass_en_010825_free_newsletter&utm_content=blog&mkt_tok=NTE5LUlJWS04NjkAAAGcBEbJB6E83UTUo2WdccCHXT2WRfZCm2a9683cuTr0aYv_k1rgE83_knvCtI_mwlk989zmUHaESyL179N-SQXARFkVni2vySrTU20P6lSXRcOQ2Avr) of ChatGPT recommending products for dogs with leaky gut)

If your business isn’t showing up where these platforms pull their insights from, you may be missing out on potential customers.

## How to Optimize for AI Discovery (and Get Cited by AI Tools)

Getting discovered by AI platforms is different from ranking on Google. Visibility today depends less on keywords and more on how clearly and consistently your brand shows up across trusted, AI-crawlable sources.

Here’s how to make your business more AI-visible:

✅ Clarify Your Positioning – AI tools prioritize businesses with simple, well-defined value propositions. Make sure your website and social profiles clearly state what you do, who you help, and why you’re different.

✅ Structure Your Content for AI – Use content formats that are easy for AI to scan and summarize: - -FAQ sections - -Bullet points - -Comparison tables - -“Best of” lists

✅ Build Trust Signals Across the Web – AI models pull from a wide range of sources, not just your own website. To build credibility: - -Encourage reviews on Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot - -Get listed in reputable directories like G2, Capterra, and Shopify App Store - -Earn mentions from blogs, forums, and local press

✅ Seed the Right Platforms – Post and engage in AI-crawlable environments like Reddit, Quora, community blogs, or help forums. These sources are frequently used to train and update AI models. This is the core of LLM seeding, getting your brand referenced where AI lives and learns.

✅ Use Consistent Phrasing Across Platforms – Repeat your brand’s key messages and descriptions across every platform and listing. Repetition reinforces your association with certain topics in the AI model’s “memory.”

✅ Monitor Your AI Visibility – Ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity to recommend businesses like yours. If you’re not mentioned, consider it a signal to strengthen your footprint. You can also try tools like Peec AI or Profound to track how often and where your brand is cited by AI tools.

How Otis AI Helps You Get Discovered

[Otis AI](www.meetotis.com) was built to help small businesses grow through smarter, simpler advertising, and that now includes visibility across AI platforms.

While AI platforms rely on content, context, and credibility to recommend businesses, [paid advertising](https://carbonboxmedia.com/how-does-digital-marketing-increase-brand-awareness/#:~:text=Paid%20advertising%20involves%20using%20online,ad%20dollars%20are%20spent%20effectively.) remains one of the fastest ways to boost your digital footprint. It expands your reach, targets the right audience, and drives traffic to your website or social profiles, building brand awareness where it counts most.

With Otis, you don’t need to be a marketing expert to start showing up. Here’s how we make it easy:

- 🎯 Launch multi-channel ad campaigns across Google, Meta, TikTok, and more, so you’re visible where your customers are.

- ✍️ Generate AI-optimized copy that clearly communicates what your business does. Our built-in AI recommendations help you craft messaging that resonates with people and AI search tools. - 📊 Track and optimize performance in one place, giving you full visibility and optimizations into reach, conversions, and ROI all at once. - ⚡️ Build a digital presence fast, even without a team, using Otis’s automation.

Just look at Fabio Scalia Salon, a New York-based hair salon. After pandemic closures, they needed a way to effectively communicate their reopening, including enhanced safety protocols. Otis helped launch a targeted, data-driven campaign that reached the right audience on the right platforms, boosting awareness and driving foot traffic.

> “With Otis, we were able to increase traffic by 5x to the website and drive more bookings.”

 ###### (Check out more of our customer success stories [here](https://meetotis.com/customer/success))

## The Future of Discovery Is AI…Are You Ready?

AI isn’t just for big companies. It’s the next great opportunity for small businesses to be seen, trusted, and chosen, without the traditional barriers to entry.

Whether you're running a local pest control company, an e-commerce store, or a real estate agency, making your business AI-visible is key to staying competitive.

And Otis AI is here to make that easy, so small businesses can keep up with the pace of change without needing a big marketing team.

Ready to get discovered by customers *and* AI? 👉 [Launch a campaign with Otis AI](http://www.meetotis.com) and grow your visibility the smart way.