Would you know if ChatGPT sent you a lead?
Something very interesting happened today. I spend a lot of time focusing on lead generation and different ways to attract new leads. I also use AI quite a bit in my work, from simple queries to custom scripted GPTs and more complex automations. But today for the first time, a lead that came in through our website cited “ChatGPT” as the source that led them to us.
That got me thinking about the steps I have been taking to improve our visibility in AI-driven search. Missing even one of these steps could mean missing out on leads altogether.
There’s a lot of content and conversation out there about optimization for AI. Some of it makes sense, while other advice feels a bit premature. It’s still early to know exactly what’s going to work, especially as things evolve so quickly. That said, I wanted to share some of the things I’ve been working on to increase the chances of being mentioned by AI in search, just like what happened today.
Here are the items I’ve been focusing on to increase visibility in both traditional search and AI-driven search:
Google Business Profile (GBP)
I make sure this is complete with all required information: contact info, a detailed business description, open hours, images, business updates, and more. This profile is often a first stop for AI and search engines looking for structured information about a business.
Google Reviews
This is crucial and directly tied to GBP. When Google sees customers interacting with your page and leaving reviews, it views the business as active and credible, making it more likely to appear in search results. I also monitor reviews on other sites because they contribute to the same credibility signals.
Business Directories and Backlinks
This can be a bit of a “hack” for smaller businesses that can’t compete with big-brand ad budgets. Getting listed on reputable directories (like UpCity, Yelp, BBB) or industry-specific directories helps surface the business higher in search results. It also creates backlinks from high-authority sites, which is a strong signal for search and AI systems.
FAQ Pages With Schema
Search behavior is becoming more conversational. Having content designed to answer specific questions is key. I’ve been building out FAQ pages with long-tail questions and also creating keyword-targeted pages for services we offer. Using proper schema markup (like FAQPage) makes it easier for search engines and AI tools to understand the purpose of the page and pull answers directly.
SEO-Optimized Website
I focus on all the core elements that improve site health and discoverability:
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Meta titles and descriptions on every page
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Keyword targeting, social meta tags, and optimized images
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Speed improvements through image compression, caching, and minifying code
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Regular audits using tools like Ubersuggest (for backlinks, keyword rankings, and errors) and Google Search Console (to monitor how Google sees the site)
I also run pages through GTMetrix to find ways to improve speed, which is a big factor in both search and user experience.
XML Sitemap
This is a simple but important step. An updated sitemap ensures that search engines and AI tools can crawl and index all pages on the website quickly.
Social Media
The big recent news is that Instagram is now searchable by Google. I’ve been more intentional about what we post and how we post it. That means:
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Writing detailed captions with relevant terms
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Filling out alt text for images
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Posting the type of content we’d want people to discover through search
I also focus heavily on Reddit. Search engines often pull answers from Reddit threads, so posting helpful content there increases our chances of being seen. It also helps with backlinks, engagement, and brand visibility over time.
