What's changed
A growing share of local questions — “best dentist near me that takes new patients”, “hotel near Universal Studios with free parking” — are now asked to AI assistants and to Google's AI Overviews. These answer with a short list of businesses and a reason for each. The businesses that appear share three things: consistent facts across the web, structured data on their site, and content that answers questions plainly.
1. Get the facts consistent everywhere
AI engines cross-check. If your hours differ between Google, Yelp and your site, or your name is spelled three ways, you're a risk to cite. Make name, address, phone, hours, categories and services identical on your site, Google Business Profile, Apple, Bing, Yelp, Facebook and industry directories.
2. Add structured data (schema)
Schema markup is a machine-readable summary of each page: this is a LocalBusiness, here are its services, prices, reviews, hours and FAQs. It's what lets an engine state “open until 9 pm, 4.8 stars, offers patio seating” with confidence. Mark up your organization, each service or menu, reviews and every FAQ.
3. Write answer-first content
Engines quote pages that answer a question in the first sentence. Rewrite key pages so the summary comes first: “Yes, we offer free parking for guests. The lot is behind the building…”. Build an FAQ page from the questions customers ask by phone, and keep it current.
4. Earn third-party mentions
Engines trust what others say about you more than what you say. Local press, chamber listings, partner websites, “best of” lists and guides all count. Pitch the local ones; they're easier than you think.
5. Measure it
Make a list of 10–20 questions your customers would ask an assistant. Once a month, ask each engine and record whether you're mentioned, where, and who else is. Watch for AI referrers (chatgpt.com, perplexity.ai) in your analytics. That's your GEO scorecard.
The good news
Everything above also improves traditional SEO and your Google Business Profile. There's no trade-off — it's the same work, done more carefully.
Or on its own for $299/mo: audit, schema, answer-first content and a monthly visibility report.
More guides.
The complete Google Business Profile checklist for 2026
Most profiles are half-finished. Here's every field that matters, in order, and what to put in it.
ReputationHow to get more Google reviews (without breaking the rules)
A system that asks every customer, every time — and why that's better than any incentive.
WebsitesWhy your website's speed decides whether people call
Half of mobile visitors leave if a page takes more than three seconds. Here's what slows local business sites down and how to fix it.
AI searchHow to get your business recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity
AI assistants answer 'where should I go?' from sources they trust. Here's how to become one.
Social mediaA month of restaurant social media, planned in an hour
A repeatable content calendar that fills a feed without a full-time marketer.
HospitalityThe direct-bookings playbook for independent hotels
Seven moves that shift bookings from the OTAs to your own website — the approach behind $50M+ in direct bookings for our hotel clients.
Let's find out where you stand.
A free digital audit shows how you rank, how you look and what to fix first. No pitch deck, no pressure.