How to Get AI to Recommend Your Business Now

Why AI Recommendations Matter

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Bing Copilot for a recommendation, you already know how much these tools are changing the way people make decisions. Instead of typing “best plumber near me” into Google, people now ask, “Who is the most trusted plumber in my area that offers same-day service?” And in seconds, AI provides an answer.

Here’s the catch: if your business isn’t visible online in the right way, you’ll miss the chance to get AI to recommend your business, and it may send customers to your competitor instead.

The good news is that getting AI to recommend your business isn’t about expensive tricks or tech jargon. It’s about showing up clearly, consistently, and credibly online. So, let’s walk through six practical steps you can take to strengthen your digital marketing and get AI to recommend your business consistently.

1. Make Sure Your Business is Easy for AI to Find

The first step is simple: if AI can’t “see” you online, it can’t recommend you.

• Claim your profiles. Start with the basics: Google Business Profile, Yelp, LinkedIn, industry directories, and review sites. These are often the first places AI checks.
• Keep your website crawlable. Don’t block bots in your settings. AI tools rely on these crawls to “learn” about your business.
• Write clear website copy. Your About page should say in plain language who you help, what you do, and why it matters. Forget the jargon; write like you’re explaining your business to a neighbour.

AI will recommend the businesses it sees most clearly and most often. If you’re invisible online, you won’t get AI to recommend your business.

2. Build a Reputation That AI Can Trust

AI is trained to value trust signals, and those signals are the foundation of effective digital marketing. Think about it: when someone asks an AI tool for a recommendation, the system is looking for the most credible answer it can find.

Here’s how you can boost your credibility:

• Collect reviews. Positive reviews on Google, Yelp, or industry-specific sites are like gold. They show up as proof that real people trust you.
• Highlight testimonials and case studies. Share stories of real customers and their results. AI doesn’t have first-hand experience, so it relies on yours.
• Get cited by reputable sources. Guest blogs, podcast appearances, or features in local news all help position you as an authority.
• Fully optimize your Google Business Profile. It’s one of the clearest signals to local customers and to AI that your business is credible and trustworthy.

Think of reviews and citations as your online reputation currency. The stronger your reputation, the more likely you are to get AI to recommend your business.

3. Create Content That Speaks AI’s Language

If you want AI to recommend you, your digital marketing needs to create the kind of content it loves to serve up: clear, direct, and people-focused.

• Answer real questions. Build FAQ pages or blog posts around the exact questions customers ask. Example: instead of “Our Plumbing Services,” write “What should I do if my pipes burst?”
• Use natural language. Write the way your customers talk, not like a textbook.
• Format for clarity. Use bullet points, numbered lists, and clear headings so AI can pull quick, scannable answers.
• Include relevant keywords. Sprinkle in the terms people naturally search for, but don’t overdo it.

Customers aren’t just typing in “plumber near me.” They’re asking, “Who’s the best plumber in town who shows up on time and doesn’t overcharge?” If your content answers that kind of question, AI is far more likely to recommend you. And that’s how you get AI to recommend your business in today’s digital world.

4. Show Up Beyond Your Website

Your website is just one piece of the puzzle. AI looks everywhere: forums, blogs, social media, news, and more. The more places your business shows up, the more confident AI becomes in recommending you.

• Get mentioned in different places. Join industry forums, contribute guest posts, and be active on social platforms.
• Collaborate with others. Partner with industry leaders or local businesses for joint projects or cross-promotion.
• Keep your pitch consistent. Have a simple “elevator pitch” that you repeat everywhere, like in podcasts, webinars, or at networking events. The clearer your story, the easier it is for AI to connect the dots.

Think of it this way: you’re feeding AI a story about your business. The more often it sees the same story, the more you can get AI to recommend your business to potential customers.

5. Use AI-Specific Tools to Get an Edge

Here’s where you can get a little more technical without it being overwhelming:

• Submit your site to Bing Webmaster Tools. Since ChatGPT often relies on Bing, this helps you get indexed faster.
• Add Schema Markup. This is structured code on your website that helps AI and search engines understand your content better. Think of it as giving AI a cheat sheet.
• Keep your Google Business Profile fresh. AI often pulls from maps and directory data. Regular updates signal that you’re active and reliable.

The takeaway: if you adopt these simple tools early, you’re more likely to get AI to recommend your business.

6. Think Like Your Customers (Because AI Does)

At the end of the day, AI is simply trying to answer your customer’s question as clearly as possible. So, ask yourself:

• What are my customers really asking?
• What makes me the best answer to that question?
• How can I show that in a way that feels trustworthy and human?

If you create content that sounds like a clear, helpful recommendation, AI is more likely to echo it back.

Every AI search is really someone asking for advice. Make sure you’re the one giving it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s just as important to know what not to do when you’re trying to get AI to recommend your business.

• Don’t overcomplicate your digital marketing with jargon or tech tricks that customers don’t understand.
• Avoid copying content from competitors; AI is smart enough to tell who the original source is.
• Don’t neglect the basics like reviews, clear copy, and consistent updates.

These simple actions carry more weight than flashy tactics when it comes to earning AI’s trust.

Be Recommendable, Not Just Searchable

Search is changing, fast. And if you want to stay visible, you need to know how to get AI to recommend your business. The businesses that show up most clearly, most consistently, and most credibly are the ones AI is most likely to recommend.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire online presence overnight. Start small. Claim your profiles. Collect reviews. Add an FAQ page. Do these simple things, and step by step, you’ll make it easier for AI to find you, trust you, and recommend you.

AI is changing the way people find and choose businesses, and it can feel overwhelming to keep up. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re here to help you cut through the noise and discover practical, simple ways to use AI to make your digital marketing work harder for you.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start getting real results, let’s grab a virtual coffee. Together, we’ll map out a plan to get AI to recommend your business and give you the confidence to put your digital marketing on the right track.