GEO is The New SEO: How to Get Recommended in ChatGPT Responses

Recently, after numerous misdiagnoses from medical professionals, I asked ChatGPT: ‘Who is the best child dermatologist in my city name?’. It gave me six different options, and I picked one based on geographical location and the mentions of skin complaints in kids. I visited him and he was a fabulous dermatologist; thorough, patient, kind, and gentle with my son. He asked me, where did I find out about him?

Somewhat embarrassed, I said that ChatGPT had recommended him. He told me I was not the first- in fact, he was getting increasing numbers of referrals from ChatGPT. And this was not part of any marketing strategy. He doesn’t rank particularly well in Google search, he’s (only) got 600 Google reviews with an average of 4.8, he’s not paid for Google ads, he has Instagram accounts he intermittently uses with some engagement, and the website has some information but no blogs or
real depth.

So how did he get recommended to me? And how can your business get recommended in ChatGPT?

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the new SEO (Search Engine Optimization). And it’s time to make sure you’re doing what you can to make sure you’re visible and trustworthy to LLMs.

Asking ChatGPT For the Down-Low

I asked ChatGPT how it makes these recommendations. It said:

1. That it checked the relevance for location, speciality, and implied goals (such as being experienced
   and trustworthy)
2. It used criteria to evaluate options, such as experience, qualifications, reviews, specialization, availability, clinic quality
3. ‘I used a live web search in your case because dermatologists update frequently, and you might want only currently open clinics’
4. It balanced the choices based on high reviews, specializations, and clinics with real online presence.
5. I then asked it for the actual sources of information and ChatGPT told me it used:
   • The website to confirm the occupation
   • A specialist medical website to confirm his MBBS, MD in Dermatology
   • Reviews from medical websites show high satisfaction rate
   • Mentions on Reddit
   • Google reviews, although it acknowledges these can be fake or unhelpful (for example if the receptionist was ‘rude’, that doesn’t reflect the quality of the doctor)
   • The doctor’s active online presence helps to build trust if it’s active, credible, and adds value

It said that educational blogs and social media presence are of low to medium importance. It notes that if the user asks for someone with a social media presence or if there are multiple options to recommend, their online social media becomes more important. So while blogs can help with authority, credibility, engagement, and transparency, it’s not a ‘primary factor’ in making a decision.

How Can You Get Recommended in ChatGPT?

The first thing to note is that every algorithm is different. This article is talking about a paid search on ChatGPT. Claude or Perplexity will possibly say something different, but will likely have similar strategies.

The second thing is that this is a long-term game. It’s not going to be an easy one-off fix. But, it is totally doable to get ChatGPT to notice you- and recommend you to your potential customers.

1. Be Super Transparent

• Be on Google Maps, and make sure your contact details, opening hours, and photos of your premises are included.
• Post your prices on your website. This may feel awkward, but it’s not a barrier for the right customer.
• Have your qualifications listed (even if you’re not in a medical field, this can help you to gain credibility).
• Talk about how long you’ve been in business, and longevity of any staff.
• Mention specialities and talk precisely about what it is you offer.

2. Deliver Excellent Service

It should go without saying, but everything hinges on your service or product actually being good. Consistently good customer outcomes are vital.

3. Get Listed in Reputable Directories

This isn’t about quantity, but about quality. Ensure you are listed with all relevant information, on business directories that rank well in search engines.

4. Get Reviews

Ask for reviews from customers, and it doesn’t have to be on Google. Glassdoor, Practo, Yelp, Amazon, Tripadvisor, G2, Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, Manta, YellowPages, the list of possible sites depends on your industry. Focus on verified or industry- specific review sites.

There is an art to asking customers for reviews, and you need to formulate a plan for which sites you prioritise. You’ll want customers to mention exactly what they purchased or experienced from you, whether it was a painless root canal procedure, most thorough gutter cleaning, or prettiest diary planner. While you don’t want to say ‘I want to get recommended in ChatGPT responses’ directly, you need to tell customers that the more precise their review is, the more helpful it is to others that need your service or product.

Make sure you respond to reviews too, and have clear and respectful responses to negative reviews.

5. Site Content and Blogs Help

While these may not be the deciding factor for ChatGPT, they help by providing context. For example, if you are a tutoring company, you’ll want to write about the ages of the kids you tutor, what subjects, and any learning disabilities you can help with.

Plan your website content around this. Don’t have a bunch of blogs talking about unrelated or peripherally related subjects; keep it tight, useful, and watch your credibility soar.

An FAQ page is a great option as it is helpful for site visitors, and also a great way to answer questions that ChatGPT has. The more information, the better.

Also, make sure your ‘About Us’ page is actually about you as a person, not just some bland business origin story. List key staff too, with achievements, qualifications, and other relevant information that can help to increase credibility.

6. Social Media Content

You don’t have to be out there going viral, but you should have a presence. TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, hang out where your customers are. Post relevant and educational content that reinforces your expertise, shows you are legitimate, and post there regularly. This is especially true for lifestyle brands, services, and products.

What NOT To Do

Don’t spam. No keyword stuffing or black-hat SEO or backlink strategies. Don’t get fake reviews or provide false information. All of these things are really hard to undo once they’ve done, they can create long-lasting and irreversible brand damage.

Key Takeaways For LLM Visibility

In order to get recommended in ChatGPT responses, focus on improving visibility, earning trust, and being a credible, legitimate business. Be transparent and human. Think about your perfect customer, what they would benefit from, and form a marketing plan around them.

And the recommended medical service? He was incredible, correctly diagnosed the problem, prescribed medicines that worked, and then followed up a few weeks later with a message checking if my son’s issue was resolved.

That reminds me, I must go leave a review.