Is AI Recommending Your Business? How to Check in 5 Minutes
800 million people use ChatGPT every month. When they ask for recommendations in your industry, does your business show up? Here is how to find out in 5 minutes — no tools required.
Ben Meyer· Co-Founder, Sapt
March 1, 2026
6 min read
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Something fundamental changed in how people find businesses. Instead of typing into Google, a growing number of people are asking AI: "What is the best chiropractor near me?" "Which marketing agency should I use?" "What CRM works for small businesses?"
ChatGPT now has 800 million monthly users. Perplexity is growing fast. Google is adding AI Overviews to half of all searches. When someone asks these platforms for a recommendation, AI gives them a direct answer — often with specific business names.
The question is: Is your business one of them?
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Increase in AI referral traffic
Traffic from AI platforms to business websites has grown over 500% in the past year alone.
The 5-Minute AI Visibility Check
You do not need expensive tools to find out if AI is recommending you. Here is how to check yourself right now:
Step 1: Open ChatGPT or Perplexity
Go to chat.openai.com or perplexity.ai. Both have free tiers. If you have never used them, sign up — it takes 30 seconds.
Step 2: Ask About Your Industry + Location
Type a question that a potential customer would ask. Use natural language, like you are asking a friend for advice:
"What are the best massage therapists in Denver?"
"Can you recommend a chiropractor in Austin?"
"Which med spa should I go to in Chicago?"
"What marketing agency is good for small businesses?"
Be specific. Include your city, your industry, and the type of service. Generic questions get generic answers.
Step 3: Look for Your Business Name
Scan the response. Does your business appear? If yes, note where you rank (first mention? third? buried at the bottom?). If no, check which competitors DO appear.
Step 4: Try Variations
Ask the question 3-4 different ways:
"Best [your service] near [your city]"
"Who should I see for [problem you solve] in [your area]?"
"Top rated [your industry] [your city]"
"I need a [your service] recommendation in [your location]"
AI responses vary based on phrasing. If you only appear for one variation, your visibility is weak.
Step 5: Check the Competition
Write down which businesses DO get recommended. These are your AI visibility competitors — and they might not be the same as your Google ranking competitors.
What Your Results Mean
If You Show Up Consistently
Good news — you have some AI visibility. But do not stop there. Check HOW you are described. Is the AI accurate about your services? Does it mention what makes you different? Inaccurate or generic descriptions mean you are leaving value on the table.
If You Show Up Sometimes
You are on the radar but not dominant. AI is finding some information about you but not enough to recommend you confidently. You need to strengthen your web presence across multiple sources.
If You Never Show Up
This is a problem — but a fixable one. It means AI platforms cannot find enough credible, consistent information about your business to recommend you. Meanwhile, your competitors who DO show up are capturing customers who never even visit Google.
The Hidden Cost
Every time AI recommends a competitor instead of you, that is a potential customer who will never see your website, never compare your reviews, never know you exist. They just book with whoever AI suggested.
Why AI Recommends Some Businesses Over Others
AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity do not have a secret list of "approved" businesses. They build recommendations based on what they find across the web. The businesses that get recommended share a few things:
Consistent information across sources — Same name, address, phone number, and service descriptions everywhere
Active review presence — Regular reviews on Google, Yelp, industry sites (AI reads these)
Content that answers questions — Blog posts, FAQs, service pages that address what customers ask
Mentions on other sites — News coverage, directory listings, YouTube videos, Reddit discussions
Structured data — Website markup that helps AI understand what you do
AI is essentially asking: "If I recommend this business, will my user be happy with the suggestion?" It looks for evidence that you are real, reputable, and relevant.
Quick Wins to Improve AI Visibility
You do not need to overhaul your entire marketing strategy. Start with these high-impact actions:
1. Claim and Complete Your Google Business Profile
This is still the foundation. Make sure hours, services, photos, and Q&A are complete. Respond to every review. AI platforms heavily reference Google Business data.
2. Ask for Reviews Consistently
Fresh reviews matter more than old ones. Set up a system to request reviews after every positive interaction. 5 reviews per week beats 50 reviews from two years ago.
3. Create Content That Answers Questions
What do customers ask before they hire you? Write blog posts or FAQs that answer those exact questions. Use the same natural language people use when talking to AI.
4. Get Listed on Industry Directories
Healthgrades for healthcare, G2 for software, Yelp for local services — AI cross-references multiple sources. Being listed consistently across directories builds the consensus AI looks for.
5. Make a YouTube Video
YouTube is one of the most-cited sources in AI responses (16% of citations). A simple video introducing your business, explaining your services, or answering common questions can significantly boost visibility.
The Bottom Line
AI search is not replacing Google — it is adding a new layer to how people discover businesses. The companies that show up in AI recommendations get a compounding advantage: more visibility leads to more customers, more reviews, more mentions, which leads to more AI recommendations.
The first step is knowing where you stand. Take 5 minutes, run the check above, and find out if AI is working for you — or only for your competitors.
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Higher conversion rate from AI traffic
Visitors referred by AI platforms convert at 5x the rate of traditional Google traffic. When AI recommends you, buyers are ready to act.
Want to Go Deeper?
Sapt monitors your AI visibility automatically across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI. See exactly where you stand, track changes over time, and get specific recommendations for improvement.