Is findability in ChatGPT becoming more important than ranking high in Google?
Do you have a question, want to compare products, or book a vacation? Most people use Google search for this, both in the B2C and B2B markets. But now there’s a new player on the scene: on Thursday, October 31st, OpenAI launched a new tool called ChatGPT Search. This tool has the potential to change the search market. Discover why it’s important to capitalize on ChatGPT Search now. And with 7 tips to improve your visibility in this fast-growing search engine.
Findable in ChatGPT? Clarity and relevance: the new standard for websites. Optimizing for AI models so that you can be found in ChatGPT is also known as GEO (Generative Engine Optimization).
Being findable in ChatGPT happens because AI models such as ChatGPT are trained on large amounts of (your) website data. If your website is well structured and publicly available, it is more likely to be included in that data or for that data to be consulted live via tools.
What is ChatGPT Search?
You may already be familiar with ChatGPT, but now there’s also ChatGPT Search. This new search function provides instant answers to all your questions, based on up-to-date internet information. This means that companies with current and relevant content can be found directly by customers, without going through traditional search results.
The function is easily activated by clicking the globe icon next to the paperclip in the ChatGPT window. With a Chrome extension, you can even set ChatGPT Search as your default search engine. With this, OpenAI enters the search engine domain and competes with established names like Google and Bing. ChatGPT Search is now available for paid ChatGPT users and will soon be rolled out to all free users.
ChatGPT Search vs. Google
A popular search engine like Google is facing stiff competition with the introduction of ChatGPT Search. But what makes this search engine different? While both platforms are search engines, they offer a different experience: ChatGPT Search focuses on providing immediate answers.
Users receive quick, clear answers supported by reliable sources like Reuters and Wikipedia. This search engine thus provides reliable insights with less effort for the user. In addition, users can manually search via the web icon if desired.
With Google, on the other hand, users have to enter search terms and click through a list of results to find the right information. ChatGPT Search largely eliminates these steps, making the process much more efficient. This is a thorn in Google’s side, as it reduces the visibility of Google Ads.
Too good to be true? Yes, it’s not perfect yet. While this AI tool navigates the web incredibly quickly and intelligently, it’s not flawless: AI models can still make mistakes or make up things completely. This means that sometimes incorrect information ends up in the chatbot’s answers, especially if the source filtering isn’t working properly. For example, if you ask about a made-up fact or an event that never happened, you might easily get a convincing-sounding but completely incorrect answer.
Why ChatGPT Search is important for your business
The shift to AI-powered search solutions means your company’s visibility is determined in a new way. While with Google, you still rely on SEO and advertising, with ChatGPT Search, you no longer have to compete for ranking with keyword optimization. ChatGPT Search looks directly at the content to determine which answers are most helpful to the user’s question.
This allows companies to put themselves in the spotlight by creating content that provides clear and direct answers to frequently asked questions. This can have a huge impact on how customers find your business and interact with you. It’s therefore crucial to design your content so it’s appealing to this new search engine. To ensure your business is visible in ChatGPT Search, you can already take steps to optimize your content for this AI tool. You can automate this using the Fozzels content creation automation software.
7 tips to make your business discoverable in ChatGPT Search
With these tips, you can prepare your business for visibility in ChatGPT Search and ensure customers can easily find you through this new search engine. An added benefit? Many of these tactics are also effective for improving your search engine ranking (SEO) in Google: a win-win.
1. Keep content fresh and relevant
AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT Search prioritize recent and relevant information. So make sure your content is regularly updated so your business information is always up-to-date.
2. Optimize your website for AI
Use schema markup to clearly structure important business information (such as contact details, product details, and locations). This allows the AI to better understand and use this data in search results, improving your visibility. Add “schema.org” data to your website code. For example, use the Product Schema for your products, Organization for your company name, location, and opening hours. FAQ for frequently asked questions. Article schema for blog articles or knowledge base data. In addition, there are many more schemas available for specific industries and functionalities.
3. Write in natural language
AI models use natural language processing. Make sure the content on your website is written in a clear, flowing style that reflects how people would ask questions. This increases the chance that your content will be selected by GPT Search.
FAQ sections on landing pages and articles are very valuable. Collect the most common questions people have about a product or service and provide the answers on the appropriate page or in a knowledge base. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is a key aspect of AI in answering user questions. Use complete natural search queries as FAQs.
4. Encourage positive reviews
Reviews signal to the AI that your business is trustworthy. Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave a review on platforms like Google My Business and other relevant websites.
5. Publish valuable content
Create blog posts, FAQs, and other content that addresses specific questions your target audience may have. This increases the chance that AI tools will recognize your business as a trustworthy source. Ensure the content is well-structured and answers common questions. AI loves lots of data, which is why AI models give more weight to content from “authoritative sources” — i.e., companies that publish lots of useful, informative, and well-written content relevant to their business. So publish content that exudes value and be an authority yourself! What you could do:
- Start a blog or knowledge base.
- Regularly publish articles about your area of expertise.
- Provide concrete tips, trends, or explanations (“What is the best way to install solar panels?”).
- Use visuals, infographics, videos, podcasts, creative content, and lots of examples, such as references, case studies, etc.
- Keep all your content up to date and relevant. For example, update outdated articles or write new ones.
- Provide comprehensive and in-depth information on a topic. A short piece of text is no longer enough.
Don’t forget to adhere to the EEAT guidelines. This stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. In other words, demonstrate that you are an experienced party with the right expertise. This will give you authority and make you appear trustworthy. These are important factors in becoming discoverable in ChatGPT.
6. Keep your local business profiles up-to-date
Local business listings play a key role in AI searches. Keep local profiles, such as Google My Business and other relevant platforms, up-to-date. This helps you be more visible to customers in the area. Make sure your Google Business profile is fully completed.
Note: Use the same business information across all your channels (consistency = reliability).
7. Build backlinks from authoritative sources
Just like with traditional SEO, backlinks from reputable websites help make your content more trustworthy. AI models interpret this as a sign that your information is valuable, increasing your chances of being found in GPT Search. So, collect backlinks. How?
- Ask partners or customers to link to your site if it’s relevant to your business.
- Post comments on forums or news articles (e.g., LinkedIn) with a link to your site.
- Write guest posts (as mentioned above) or publish creative content on relevant sites.
Use the same brand name consistently. Avoid abbreviations, variations, or different spellings in your brand name. Always write it the same way. This makes it easier for an AI model to recognize your brand.
Need help implementing content generation strategies automatically? Fozzels is here to help.
Become discoverable in ChatGPT
The rise of AI systems like ChatGPT is changing the rules of online visibility and how to be found in ChatGPT. It’s no longer just about ranking well in Google, but about actually being mentioned in the answers AIs provide. By investing in clear content, structured data, brand consistency, and relevant visibility on trusted platforms, you can build your presence in this new digital reality.
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