Why ChatGPT mentions your competitor and not you.

More and more people no longer search via Google. They ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity. "Who's a good physiotherapist in Groningen?" "Which contractor can renovate my bathroom?" "Which painter has good reviews?"

If your business isn't mentioned in those answers, you don't exist for a growing group of potential customers. And that group is growing fast. In 2026, more than 30% of consumers already use AI search engines for local searches.

How does ChatGPT decide who to mention?

AI search engines work differently from Google. Google looks at links, technical SEO and keywords. AI search engines look at:

• Authority: are you mentioned as a source somewhere? Are there articles about you or by you online?
• Clarity: does the AI understand what you do, for whom and where? Is your website structured so a machine can read it?
• Relevance: do you answer the questions people ask? Do you have content that specifically addresses the problems of your target audience?
• Mentions: are you referenced on other sites, in directories, on social media, in forums?

What can you do about it right now?

The good news: most of it overlaps with plain good SEO. If you're easy to find on Google, you're already largely visible to AI search engines too. But there are a few things that help extra:

1. Make your website crystal clear about what you do

No vague "we offer solutions" but concrete: "I'm a painter in Groningen and I do interior painting for homeowners." The more specific, the better the AI can categorise and recommend you.

2. Write content that answers questions

AI search engines look for sources that answer questions. "How much does a bathroom renovation cost?" "What should you look for when choosing a physio?" If you answer that on your website, you become the source the AI cites.

3. Make sure you're listed in multiple places online

Google Business profile, industry associations, local directories, social media. The more places the AI finds you, the more confidence it has that you're relevant.

4. Be active in communities

Facebook groups, Reddit, LinkedIn. Posts and comments get picked up by AI models as training data. If you regularly give valuable answers in your field, that increases your chances of being mentioned.

5. Keep your information consistent

Your business name, address and phone number should be the same everywhere. Inconsistency confuses both Google and AI search engines.

Do you need to spend a lot of money on this?

No. Most of it is just good business practice: a clear website, solid content, being active where your customers are. The basics are free. The difference is made by doing it consistently.

Want to know how your business scores in AI search engines? I can check that for you. No obligations.