How to Track Whether AI Assistants Are Recommending Your Business

You can't improve what you don't measure, and AI visibility doesn't show up neatly in one dashboard yet. Here's a simple, repeatable process.

1. Build your query list

10 to 20 questions real customers ask: "best [service] in [city]," "who does [service] near [area]," "how much does [service] cost in [city]," and your brand name.

2. Test each assistant monthly

ChatGPT (with search), Perplexity, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Gemini, Claude and Copilot. Use a fresh session. Note whether you're mentioned, which competitors are, and which sources are cited.

3. Log it

A simple spreadsheet: query, assistant, mentioned yes/no, position, cited sources.

4. Read the citations

The sources AI cites tell you where to show up: specific directories, review sites, local publications, Reddit threads, YouTube videos, competitors' pages.

5. Fix the gaps

• Missing from Bing? Claim Bing Places and submit your sitemap.
• Competitors cited for a question you don't answer? Publish the answer.
• Directories cited? Make sure you're listed accurately.
• Facts wrong about you? Fix them at the source and on your site.

6. Watch referral traffic

Analytics shows visits from chatgpt.com, perplexity.ai and similar referrers.

We run this monthly for clients. See AI search SEO.