How Do I Check If AI Search Tools Know About My Business?
Quick answer
Ask the AI tools directly. Search your business name, your services and your city in ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, Copilot and Perplexity, then write down what each one says, what it gets wrong and who it recommends instead. That simple AEO audit shows where you stand and what to fix first.
Why should I care what AI tools say about my business?
More people are asking AI tools questions they used to type into Google. "Who's a good bookkeeper in Chandler?" or "What should I look for in a roofer in Mesa?" The answers often name specific businesses.
If those tools don't know you exist, or they describe you wrong, you're missing out on a growing group of customers. If you're new to the idea, start with what AEO is and how to get mentioned by AI search. This post is about the step before fixing anything: finding out where you stand.
How do I run a simple AEO audit myself?
Set aside an hour and open a spreadsheet or a notes doc. Then work through these steps.
- Pick your tools. Check ChatGPT, Google (look for an AI Overview at the top of results), Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. Use a private or logged out window where you can, so past chats don't shape the answer.
- Ask about your business by name. Try "What is [Business Name] in [City]?" and "What services does [Business Name] offer?"
- Ask the questions customers ask. Try "Best [service] in [City]," "Who should I hire for [problem] near [City]?" and "How much does [service] cost in [City]?"
- Ask comparison questions. Try "[Your business] vs [competitor]" or "Is [Business Name] good?"
- Write down everything. Note whether you're mentioned, what's said, what's wrong and which competitors show up.
- Note the sources. Many AI tools link to where they got the information. Those links tell you which websites and listings matter.
Repeat a few of the same questions in a month. AI answers vary from one try to the next, so look for patterns, not a single result.
What should I look for in the answers?
Once you have your notes, sort what you found into a few buckets.
Are you mentioned at all?
If AI tools don't mention you for your main service and city, they probably don't have enough clear, consistent information about you yet.
Is the information correct?
Look for an old address, wrong hours, services you don't offer or a business you sold years ago. AI pulls from many sources, and old info sticks around.
What do they say about you?
Notice the words used to describe you. Do they match how you want to be known? If AI says you're "a general contractor" and you specialize in kitchen remodels, your website and listings may not say that clearly enough.
Who shows up instead?
If the same competitors appear over and over, look at their websites, reviews and listings. You'll usually see clear service pages, strong Google Business Profiles and plenty of reviews.
Why might AI search tools not know my business?
In my audits, the same reasons come up again and again.
- Your website doesn't clearly say what you do, who you serve and where.
- Your Google Business Profile is incomplete or hasn't been touched in a while.
- Your name, address and phone number are different across listings.
- You have few reviews, or reviews that don't mention your services.
- Your site has no FAQ content that answers real customer questions.
- Search engines have trouble crawling your site, or it isn't verified in their tools.
That last one is easy to overlook. Microsoft Copilot draws on Bing search, so setting up Bing Webmaster Tools is a quick win many businesses skip.
What do I fix first after the audit?
Start with whatever is wrong, then work on what's missing. Wrong information can steer customers away, so correct your Google Business Profile, website and main listings first.
After that, focus on clarity. Make sure each service has its own page, your city and service area are stated plainly and you answer common questions in simple language. If you want the full playbook for getting recommended, read how to get ChatGPT to recommend your business.
Keep expectations honest. Changes take time to show up, and no one controls what AI tools say. Think of this as making your business easy to understand, then checking back every month or two.
Let's take this off your plate
If you don't have time to run these checks, aren't sure what the answers mean or just don't want to add one more thing to your list, I can do it for you. AEO audits and fixes are part of my marketing manager service, and you can see how I work as an SEO specialist for local businesses. Book a free call and I'll show you what AI tools say about you.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check what AI tools say about my business?
Once every month or two is plenty for most small businesses. Check again after big changes, like a new website, new services or a move.
Can I pay ChatGPT to recommend my business in its answers?
No. OpenAI says ads stay separate from ChatGPT's answers and paying for ads does not change what it recommends. Your best path to being recommended is clear, accurate information across the web.
What if an AI tool says something wrong about my business?
Find where the wrong information lives, often an old listing or page, and fix it at the source. Some tools also let you flag a bad answer, but correcting the source is what lasts.
Is an AEO audit different from an SEO audit?
They overlap a lot, since both look at how clear and findable your business is online. An AEO audit adds the step of asking AI tools directly and checking what they say about you.