What decides whether ChatGPT names a local business?

What is known, what is not, and what you can check yourself.

Request the free AI scan

In short

What nobody knows

Research finds no technique with a proven, lasting effect.

  • Answers differ each time and from person to person.
  • A list that is right today can be different tomorrow.

No one can guarantee a place in Google or in an AI answer. We make your business findable, recognisable and quotable.

How the Dutch search now

84%

In 2025, 84% of Dutch people still preferred search engines for finding information; 6% preferred AI tools.

Source:Ruigrok onderzoek & advies, What's Happening Online 2025measured in 2025 · published

May the assistant read your site?

You can check this. Some sites block AI crawlers without knowing it.

  • Look in your site’s robots.txt file.
  • A block can come from your hosting provider, not from you.
  • Blocking for training is not the same as blocking for search.
Which crawlers exist?
OpenAI has separate crawlers for training and for search in ChatGPT. If you block the search crawler, ChatGPT does not show your site in search answers. Other services have their own crawlers. Check their own documentation.

Are your details the same everywhere?

This is what all the sources agree on.

  • Name, address, phone number and opening hours the same on your site, in Google and in listings.
  • A complete Google Business Profile.
  • Clear out old details: assistants repeat them.

Google’s own statement

Google states that local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and that a better local position cannot be requested or bought.

Source:Google Bedrijfsprofiel Help, Tips om uw lokale positie op Google te verbeterenseen on 3 October 2026

Does your site answer real questions?

  • Write per service what you do, where and for whom.
  • One page answers one question in plain language.
  • Add what it costs, or how to ask for a price.

Reviews and mentions

Customers read reviews. Assistants also take details from outside your site.

  • Ask happy customers honestly for a review.
  • Answer every review personally.
  • Do not buy mentions.

What customers read before they choose

97%

In US research by BrightLocal (2026), 97% of consumers said they read online reviews when choosing a local business.

Source:BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026measured in 2026 · published

What you do not need to do

  • No special file for AI and no extra code.
  • No tricks with how your text is built.
  • Write for people, in plain language.

Google’s own statement

Google itself says you need no special files or extra code for the AI answers in Google. Your page does need to be in Google and able to show there with a short piece of text.

Source:Google Search Central, AI features and your websiteupdated 10 December 2025

More about AI visibility

When don’t you need us?

You can do most of this yourself. Want a first overview? Request the free scan.

If you don’t need us, we say so.

The occasional tip in your inbox

What we learn about findability in Google and AI assistants. You confirm through a link in your email.

Your address is only for the newsletter; HubSpot sends it on our behalf. Read the privacy statement

Shall we get started?

Not sure yet? Then start with the free AI scan.

Plan your project with RedovRequest the free AI scan

Or email [email protected].

Redov, founder and CEO, reads every request himself.