How to get into ChatGPT's answers without paid ads

ChatGPT ads are one route. The other is getting AI to mention you in its answer on its own, for free. When someone asks "Who builds good websites for restaurants in my city?", you want to be in the answer. This discipline is called optimization for AI search (sometimes GEO). Let's keep it simple.

How AI chooses whom to mention

AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Perplexity draw on what they find online. When connected to the web, they browse pages much like Google. They'll mention you when:

• they find clear and accurate information about you,
• your pages directly answer people's questions,
• others write about you too (reviews, articles, directories),
• your website is technically readable.

1. Say clearly who you are and what you do

It sounds obvious, yet many websites can't say it. Your homepage should state in one sentence:

• what you do ("We run PPC ads and create AI content"),
• for whom ("for online stores and online courses"),
• where ("across Europe").

AI literally uses these sentences in its answers.

2. Answer your customers' questions

Write down the 20 questions clients ask you most. Answer each one clearly on your website, in an FAQ section or a blog article. When someone asks AI the same question, your answer has a good chance of being used.

Tip: answer in the very first sentence. Not "In today's world it's important to…", but "Yes, it pays off if…".

3. Get others to talk about you

AI trusts information more when several sources confirm it. What helps:

• reviews on Google and in industry directories,
• mentions in articles and interviews,
• active social media profiles,
• the same details (name, address, contact) everywhere.

4. Help AI read your website

This is the technical part your web admin can do for you:

• structured data: an invisible description of the page for computers (who you are, your services, questions and answers),
• an llms.txt file: a short company summary meant specifically for AI,
• allowing AI crawlers in your robots.txt file. Some websites block them without knowing,
• a fast website that works even without complex scripts.

That's exactly how we built the FLAI.systems website.

5. Be specific

"We are professionals with years of experience" says nothing. A sentence like "Last year we repaired 350 bikes in Leeds" is specific and memorable. AI (and people) prefer facts. True ones, of course.

How to tell whether it works

Regularly ask ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity the questions you want to be the answer to. Note whether they mention you and whom they mention instead. Look at what sets those others apart, and fill the gap.

Summary

For AI to recommend you, it needs to find clear, true and verifiable information about you. Say clearly what you do, answer customers' questions, collect mentions and reviews, and have your website technically prepared. And if you want to be visible in ChatGPT right away, combine it with paid ChatGPT ads.