AI-SEO: How to rank in ChatGPT with your site

As a business owner, you obviously want people to find you online. For most of us, that’s always meant one thing: showing up in Google. Someone types in a keyword, scrolls through a bunch of results, and decides which site looks most promising.

But let’s be real: if you’re not sitting right at the top of Google, chances are people are just scrolling straight past your site. And snagging that #1 spot? That’s tougher than ever these days because the competition is huge.

Don’t get me wrong – SEO is still super important – but relying on it alone isn’t enough anymore.

More and more people are skipping Google and asking ChatGPT for answers. They get exactly what they need in seconds – without clicking through ten different websites. But here’s the question: is YOUR website part of those answers? 🤔

If you’re not sure, it’s time to learn how to rank in ChatGPT. In this blog, I’ll break down what AI‑SEO is, how ChatGPT decides which sites to recommend, and what you can do to get your website showing up in AI‑powered search results.

Searching in Google (SEO) vs. ChatGPT (AI‑SEO)

Most people still turn to Google when they need information. And if you’re a website owner, you’ve probably optimized your pages with keywords, meta descriptions, and backlinks (at least I hope so) – aka: classic SEO.

But the way people search is changing. Fast. These days, more and more people are asking their questions directly to AI tools like ChatGPT.

Instead of typing something generic into Google like “editorial New York wedding photographer”, people now ask way more specific questions in ChatGPT:
👉🏻 “Which wedding photographers in New York have a creative and editorial editing style?”

Let’s have a look at both of the queries and results:

What’s the difference? 👇🏻

• In Google, that couple has to click through a bunch of sites, browse portfolios, and figure out for themselves who feels like the best fit.
• In ChatGPT, they instantly get a list of names plus an explanation of why those photographers match their style.

Pretty convenient for them, right? But if you’re that wedding photographer, you obviously want your name to pop up in that answer.

And that’s exactly where AI‑SEO – also called GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) – comes in.

AI‑SEO is how you make sure your website isn’t just ranking in Google, but also has a shot at ranking in ChatGPT and other AI‑driven search tools.

How does ChatGPT decide which websites to recommend?

While traditional SEO is all about keywords, backlinks, and ranking factors, AI‑SEO goes way beyond that. ChatGPT isn’t just looking at your site – it’s also checking out how visible and trustworthy you are across the web.

Based on research, ChatGPT seems to pay attention to 6 factors when deciding which websites to recommend:

1. Mentions online
   The more people are talking about your website or business online, the better! Whether it’s on social media, in blogs, or even in news articles – every mention helps boost your chances of getting noticed by ChatGPT.
   


2. Reviews
   The more reviews you have (and the higher your ratings), the more trustworthy you look. This applies to reviews on your own site as well as on external platforms like Google or Trustpilot!
   


3. Relevance
   Does your website actually answer the types of questions your audience is typing into ChatGPT?
   


4. Website age
   ChatGPT tends to favor websites that have been around for a while. That doesn’t mean new businesses don’t stand a chance – it just shows that being consistently present online really pays off in the long run.
   


5. Recommendations on other sites
   ChatGPT pulls a lot of information from listicles and comparison articles like “Top 10 Wedding Photographers in New York”. If you’re featured in those kinds of lists, your chances of showing up in AI answers go way up.
   


6. Authority
   Your overall online reputation matters too. How visible are you online? Are you active on social media? Do other trustworthy websites link to yours? The stronger your online authority, the more likely ChatGPT is to recommend you.

When you focus on these factors as part of your AI‑SEO strategy, you massively increase your chances of ranking in ChatGPT answers that your ideal clients see.

How to rank in ChatGPT with your site

So, what can you actually do to rank in ChatGPT? You’ll need to go beyond basic SEO. Here are 5 practical tips to help you boost your visibility and authority – the exact factors ChatGPT looks at.

1. Create content that answers real questions

ChatGPT loves clear, helpful answers. Think about what your potential clients ask you all the time, and make sure your website answers those questions. This doesn’t just mean blog posts. Add Q&A sections to your homepage, services page, or FAQ page too.

💡 Examples for photographers:

• Blog: “How to choose the right wedding photographer for your big day”
• Blog: “When is the best time to book a maternity shoot?”
• Homepage text: “People often ask me about my photography style, so here’s what I tell them…”
• FAQ: “Where do you work?”

The bottom line? Write helpful, clear content that actually answers the questions people are typing into ChatGPT.

2. Collect reviews

The more positive reviews you have – on your own site and platforms like Google Reviews or Trustpilot – the better. So yes, you’ll need to ask your clients for reviews (even if it feels a little awkward at first 🫶🏻).

3. Build your online visibility

Make sure your name gets mentioned online more often and that reputable websites link back to you. Think guest blogs, being featured in “top 10” lists (“The 10 Best Interior Designers of 2025”), interviews, or collaborations with other entrepreneurs. The more – and the better quality – your mentions, the more likely ChatGPT is to pick up on you.

4. Keep your website content fresh

ChatGPT loves up‑to‑date information. When’s the last time you updated your website or blog? If it’s been months – or worse, years – there’s a good chance your site isn’t even being picked up. Regularly update your existing pages and write new blogs about the questions and trends that matter right now in your industry.

5. Don’t forget about traditional SEO (!)

SEO is still super important – also if your goal is to rank in ChatGPT! Websites that already perform well in Google are more likely to be seen as trustworthy by AI. So make sure your site is fully optimized for SEO, because a strong SEO foundation also increases your chances of getting featured in ChatGPT answers.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SITE FOR SEO

Want more tips on how to rank in ChatGPT?
Download the AI‑SEO Checklist!

These five tips are just the start – there’s so much more you can do to make sure ChatGPT actually recommends your website.

That’s exactly why I put together a super practical AI‑SEO Checklist – packed with extra tips and quick wins to help you get your site featured in AI search results.

Want it? Just pop your email in below, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox! 🎉