Is ChatGPT Replacing Google for Small Business Searches?
A new client recently told me they found Tingalls through ChatGPT, searching for “logo designers in Madison.” I thought… wait, what? I never created a business profile in ChatGPT. I didn’t run any ads there.
So how does that happen?
I did a bit of research and here’s what I found:
1. Your Website Still Matters (A Lot!)
ChatGPT pulls information from all across the web. So be sure to include the following in your website:
What your business does
Who you serve
Where you are located, and
What makes you unique in the marketplace
If your homepage just says “Welcome” and doesn’t mention services or the geographic areas you
serve, it’s like having a storefront with no sign on the door. Be clear, specific and use laymen’s language.
2. Keywords Aren’t Dead — They’ve Just Grown Up
When someone asks a question like: “I need a website designer in Madison?” The businesses that show up usually have:
Location-specific content
Individual, service-specific pages
Consistent messaging across their site
If you’re a plumber in Middleton, say “Plumbing Services in Middleton, WI.” If you remodel kitchens, say “Kitchen Remodeling in Madison.” This is location-based SEO.
Watch SEO Tutorial Video Below »
3. Your Google Business Listing Matters
Your Google My Business Listing (and other reputable directory listings like Bing, Yahoo, Yelp, etc) is the “yellow pages of the internet.” If you don’t claim your listing and complete the profile, Google can’t use it to confirm legitimacy against your website content.
Make sure the profile is 100% complete Watch Tutorial Video Below »
Reply to all reviews
Regularly add updates of company news, products and events
Google is constantly adding questions in the “Edit profile” section so be sure to click into all those sections for completion.
4. Consistency Builds Trust (For Humans and AI)
If a website says one thing, social media says another, and a Google profile says something else, it creates confusion for your potential clients. Be very clear on your branding and who you’re talking to. Consistency helps search engines and AI tools understand these things more clearly.
Below are ideas for website content that builds trust:
Individual service pages with clear, keyword-rich content
FAQs that answer common questions
Blog posts that educate and inform
Case studies or project examples
Downloadable guides, checklists, or other helpful resources
All these suggestions provide helpful, educational content that will build authority over time.
The Big Takeaway
Businesses don’t opt into ChatGPT results. They earn their way in with strong, clear website content, smart location-based keywords, consistent online messaging, and regularly helpful content. It’s not magic. It’s good marketing.
Additional Learning
Below are two recent Munch-n-Learns that discuss how to add keywords to your website effectively and also how to claim and optimize your Google My Business Listing.
Tingalls Munch-n-Learn: Content-Based Website SEO: The Right Keywords in the Right Places
Tingalls Munch-n-Learn: Google My Business Listing Tutorial
