Is showing up in AI search different from Google SEO?

Google says optimizing for generative AI search is still SEO. The best practices for SEO continue to be relevant, and there are no additional requirements.

Do I need special files or markup?

No. Google says you don't need AI text files or special markup, and that Google Search ignores AI text files like llms.txt.

How long until I show up?

Nobody can say. Google says indexing and serving isn't guaranteed. Check once a month and write down what you see.

What should I not pay for?

Skip anything sold as a guaranteed spot, an AI text file or special markup. Pay for accountable work you can check, such as a better page.

How to show up in AI search: three free moves

Q: Does my Google Business Profile count?

It counts for local map results. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance, and popularity. More reviews and positive ratings can help.

You show up in AI search the way you show up in Google. Keep your business details accurate, publish a real page that answers the buying question, and don't block the crawlers. Google says optimizing for generative AI search is still SEO. The three moves cost you an afternoon.

Google also says there are no additional requirements, and you don't need special files or markup. A page has to be indexed and eligible to show in Google Search with a snippet.

The catch is that you can do all three and still not appear. Treat AI search as one more place customers might find you, next to your map listing and referrals.

What should I fix first?

Make your Google Business Profile accurate and matching your website. Check the name, hours, service area and phone number.

Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance, and popularity, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help. The Google Business Profile audit checklist walks through the fields.

What goes on the service page?

The answer to the question a customer asks before they hire you. Name the service, the towns you cover, how pricing works and how to call or book.

Google's advice is to focus on what visitors would find helpful. You don't need to write in a special way for AI.

How do I know the crawlers can reach my site?

Check that you haven't blocked them. Open yourwebsite.com/robots.txt and ask your website host whether a firewall blocks search bots such as OpenAI's OAI-SearchBot.

You don't need an llms.txt file. Google says Google Search ignores AI text files. The llms.txt and AI crawlers guide covers what to pay for, which is nothing.

How do I check whether it worked?

Ask ChatGPT, Google and Perplexity your customer's question with your town in it, once a month, and write down what each says and the date. It takes a few minutes.

The tracking guide shows how to keep the notes. Nobody can promise a result, so judge the work by whether your page and profile are right.

What do I do next?

Do move one today and put move two on your calendar this week. For the Google side, read how to rank in AI Overviews. For ChatGPT, read how to get cited by ChatGPT.

Once your site and profile are right, ProveWorth gives you a free page with your services and the customer reviews we read before publishing. Start with your free page or see how it works.

How do I show up in AI search?