I'm truly not trying to insult anyone here but...
Local businesses are *still* the absolute slowest to adapt to pretty much anything that can actually help them grow.
In one particular case it’s costing them 10s of thousands of dollars every single month.
If you’re ignoring all the free traffic + sales you could be getting from ChatGPT and Google right now, you’ll be playing painful catch-up in 2026 and 2027.
Let’s walk through exactly how to fix this without hiring expensive outside help.
And if you want the private ChatGPT + Perplexity cheat codes we’ve been testing (not public yet), just Follow + RT + Comment “2025 X Local Guide.”
You must do all 3 for the DM.
Alright, let's start at the top.
Google and AI engines both rank based on authority and entity trust, albeit in slightly different ways.
For local businesses, this means:
PR + backlinks from locally trusted sites
Brand mentions that reinforce your entity
NAP and schema consistency across the web
If you skip authority, you’ll stay invisible even for easy ZIP-level searches.
Proven local authority plays:
Partner with complementary local businesses for link swaps
Pitch seasonal tips or cost data to neighborhood blogs and news outlets
Submit to high-trust local directories (Chamber, Patch, Yelp, etc.)
Sponsor school or charity events to get linked in recap posts
Get featured in “Best of [City]” guides (AI cites these directly in answers)
Want the shortcut?
Try the SEO Stuff's Gold Plan, with links placed only on sites already surfacing in AI results that are already getting strong traffic.
Check out the case studies I've been posting this week for proof of how effective this can be.
But authority alone isn't enough.
Your Google Business Profile matters a lot, too.
As of late 2025, ChatGPT and Gemini are pulling Google Business Profile data directly into AI Overviews.
GBP optimization checklist:
Complete every field (categories, services, hours, Q&A, attributes)
Upload 100+ geo-tagged photos (storefront, staff, vehicles, neighborhood)
Post updates weekly (promos, FAQs, seasonal events)
Reply to every review using keywords and location names
Keep NAP consistent across all directories
A well-optimized GBP is now the baseline for visibility in Maps, AI Overviews, and “near me” searches.
And make sure you're building out your service and location pages.
AI Overviews often surface location pages above the map pack.
To earn those placements, you need structured, localized content.
Each ZIP or neighborhood page should include:
Embedded Google Map
Local job photos and staff images
FAQ block using exact-match city queries (“How much does AC repair cost in Pasadena?”)
Internal links to your main service and contact pages
FAQ schema on every page
Mobile-first layout that loads fast
The goal is to create AI-friendly Answer Hubs for each service and location.
And don't sleep on the importance of reviews.
Perplexity and Gemini now quote review text in summaries and AI Overviews.
Here's your action plan:
Ask for reviews immediately after service via SMS or email
Display top reviews on your site and GBP
Reply with keywords like “Thanks for choosing us for HVAC repair in Scottsdale”
Target 150+ reviews per location
More reviews = more mentions = more AI citations and higher call volume.
Also, don't sleep on the importance of technical SEO when it comes to both traditional and AI search.
A broken or slow site kills trust with AI engines.
Local technical checklist:
Core Web Vitals: LCP < 2.5s, CLS < 0.1, INP < 200ms
Lazy-load and convert images to WebP or AVIF
Submit XML sitemap monthly to Google and Bing
Fix broken links and redirect chains
Implement schema: LocalBusiness, Service, Review, FAQ, Event
A fast, structured, and crawlable site signals quality to both Google and ChatGPT Browse.
Now let's talk local-first content.
AI and Google now prioritize city-specific structured content with clear takeaways.
Content framework:
Hub: “Complete Guide to [Service] in [City]”
Subpages: “[Service] in [ZIP]” with pricing, FAQs, and photos
Blog posts: “5 Common [Service] Problems in [City] (and Cost to Fix)”
Seasonal posts: “Best Fall Maintenance Checklist for [City] Homeowners”
Always include a TL;DR or “Key Takeaways” box. Perplexity pulls these directly into summaries.
And make sure you're driving branded search volume.
Even for small local businesses, branded search is now one of the strongest AI visibility signals.
Ways to trigger branded search:
CTAs in social posts: “Search [Business Name] reviews on Google”
Share transformation stories tied to your city
Run retargeting ads featuring 5-star reviews with city mentions
Offer local promos (“Free roof inspection in Pasadena this week”)
A small lift in branded search can dramatically boost citations across both Google and ChatGPT.
And of course none of this actually matters if you're tracking the wrong metrics.
Traffic alone doesn’t matter.
Focus on the signals that drive calls and bookings.
Key metrics to monitor weekly:
Branded search growth in Google Search Console
GBP views, calls, and directions requests
AI Overview and ChatGPT citation coverage
Review volume and keyword usage trends
Conversion rate on service and location pages
Measure what generates calls, not clicks.
90-Day Local SEO + AI Search Roadmap:
Days 1–30
Fully optimize GBP and Bing Places
Fix Core Web Vitals and schema
Launch 3 ZIP-specific service pages
Audit and clean up NAP consistency
Days 31–60
Earn 5 or more local backlinks
Post weekly GBP updates
Collect 30 or more new reviews
Launch retargeting with testimonial creatives
Days 61–90
Publish 3 AI-friendly local blog posts
Pitch neighborhood blogs and local media for backlinks
Reach 150+ reviews per location
Refresh FAQs and update top pages for AI
Most local businesses still:
Ignore GBP updates
Have under 50 reviews
Fail Core Web Vitals
Publish no city-specific content
And that’s why they’re a non-factor in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.
Follow this roadmap and you’ll own visibility where customers are actually searching.
Want the done-for-you version?
Try the Gold Plan at seo stuff dot com and see why over 80 percent of customers return for multiple purchases.
And check out the case studies I've been posting over the past week.
And if you want the private ChatGPT + Perplexity cheat codes we’ve been testing, just Follow + RT + Comment “2025 X Local Guide.”
You must do all 3 for the DM.