How to Get Your Business Recommended by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews
A homeowner in Ocean City asks an AI assistant, "Who's a reliable plumber near me?" Within seconds, she gets a short list of names and a few reasons to trust them. She never opens a search results page. She never scrolls past an ad.
If your business isn't part of that answer, you may never know the customer existed.
In our earlier post, we explained what Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is. This time, we're getting practical. Nobody can guarantee a spot in an AI-generated answer, but there are clear steps that make your business easier for AI tools to understand, trust, and mention.
1. Make Sure Your Business Information Is Consistent Everywhere
AI tools pull from many sources: your website, Google Business Profile, directories, review sites, and social media. When your name, address, phone number, hours, and services don't match from one place to the next, it creates doubt about which details are correct.
Audit your listings and fix inconsistencies. Small differences such as "Suite 3" versus "Ste. 3" or an old phone number on a forgotten directory add up. Consistent business listings are one of the simplest foundations for both traditional search and AI search.
2. Answer Real Customer Questions on Your Website
People ask AI tools complete questions, not keywords. "How much does it cost to seal a driveway?" "Do I need a permit to build a deck in Worcester County?" "What should I look for in an orthodontist?"
Add a helpful FAQ section to your key service pages, and write blog posts that answer the questions customers actually ask you on the phone. Lead with a clear, direct answer, then add detail. Content that gets to the point is easier for both people and AI to use.
3. Say Plainly What You Do and Where You Do It
Don't make an AI tool guess. State your services, service areas, and specialties in plain language on your site. "We provide residential HVAC repair and installation in Berlin, Ocean City, and Salisbury" is far more useful than a vague slogan.
4. Add Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Schema markup is behind-the-scenes code that labels the information on your pages: your business name, address, services, reviews, FAQs, and more. It helps search systems understand your content without guessing. It's not visible to visitors, but it's one of the most practical technical upgrades available for AEO and traditional SEO alike.
5. Build Genuine Reviews and Respond to Them
Reviews tell AI tools what real customers think of you. Businesses with a steady stream of recent, detailed reviews give these systems more to work with than businesses with a handful of old ones.
Ask happy customers for reviews consistently, and respond to every review, positive or negative. Our reputation management tools make that process easier to keep up with.
6. Earn Mentions From Trusted Local Sources
AI tools tend to rely on sources that appear credible. Local chambers of commerce, industry associations, community news sites, and reputable directories all help establish that your business is real and respected. Sponsor a local event, join your chamber, or contribute expert advice to a local publication, and make sure those mentions link back to you.
7. Keep Your Content Fresh
Outdated hours, old pricing, and stale blog posts send the wrong signal. Review your key pages regularly, update what's changed, and publish new content on a steady schedule.
A Realistic Expectation
AEO is still evolving, and AI tools don't publish a rulebook. Anyone who promises a guaranteed spot in AI answers is overselling. What we do know is that the steps above improve your online presence for everyone, whether the customer finds you through Google, a map, or an AI assistant. None of this work is wasted.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
Sprout Creatives helps businesses across Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia get found, trusted, and chosen. Run our free Digital Marketing Health Check to see how your listings and online presence measure up, or contact us to talk through an AEO strategy for your business.