How ChatGPT Decides What to Recommend

ChatGPT doesn’t rank websites the way Google does.

It prioritizes:

• Authority 
• Relevance 
• Consistency 
• Observed trust signals 
• User satisfaction patterns 

Think of it less like SEO and more like being the default expert in your category.

Step 1: Become the “Obvious” Brand in Your Category

ChatGPT favors brands that are:

• Clearly positioned 
• Easy to explain 
• Consistently associated with a specific problem 

What advertisers should do:

• Narrow positioning (“We help X do Y”) 
• Use consistent language across all platforms 
• Avoid vague or multi-category messaging 

If AI can’t describe you in one sentence, it won’t recommend you confidently.

Step 2: Build AI-Readable Content (Not Just SEO Content)

AI systems extract answers, not pages.

Best practices:

• Write clear definitions 
• Use structured explanations 
• Publish “how it works”, “best practices”, and “mistakes to avoid” 
• Answer questions directly 

Example:

“The best Google Ads strategy for B2B SaaS in 2026 focuses on intent capture, AI bidding, and CRO-led scaling.”

That sentence alone is reusable by AI.

Step 3: Win Off-Site Authority (This Matters More Than You Think)

ChatGPT relies heavily on external validation.

Key sources:

• Industry blogs 
• Podcasts 
• Case studies 
• Reviews 
• Mentions in trusted publications 

Advertisers should:

• Get featured, not just publish 
• Encourage client testimonials 
• Show real-world results publicly 

AI trusts what others say about you more than what you say about yourself.

Step 4: Prove Commercial Effectiveness

AI recommendations favor brands that:

• Convert 
• Retain users 
• Deliver outcomes 

For advertisers, this means:

• Publishing performance results 
• Showing before/after metrics 
• Demonstrating ROI clearly 

Even anonymized case studies help train trust.

Step 5: Optimize for “Recommendation Queries”

ChatGPT is often asked:

• “Who is best for…” 
• “What should I use for…” 
• “Which agency is good at…” 

Your content should mirror these patterns.

Examples:

• “Best Google Ads agency for B2B SaaS” 
• “Who should manage paid media for scaling startups?” 
• “What’s the best way to scale ads profitably?” 

If you don’t answer these explicitly, AI fills the gap with competitors.

Step 6: Consistency Across the Entire Web

AI systems look for pattern confirmation.

You want:

• Same positioning on your website 
• Same messaging on LinkedIn 
• Same claims in case studies 
• Same descriptions in interviews 

Inconsistency weakens confidence.

Consistency reinforces authority.

Step 7: Prepare for Paid AI Placements Now

Even before formal ChatGPT ads mature, preparation matters.

Advertisers should:

• Define clear value propositions 
• Build strong conversion funnels 
• Improve post-click experiences 
• Align messaging with AI discovery journeys 

When paid placements arrive, the winners will already have:

• High trust 
• High engagement 
• Proven conversion paths 

Common Mistakes That Kill ChatGPT Visibility

• Trying to “SEO hack” AI 
• Overly promotional content 
• Weak or generic positioning 
• No proof of real-world impact 
• Ignoring off-platform authority 

AI rewards clarity and usefulness, not marketing fluff.

Final Takeaway

To get #1 visibility on ChatGPT, advertisers must stop thinking like SEOs and start thinking like the best possible answer.

That means:

• Clear positioning 
• Answer-focused content 
• Real proof 
• External validation 
• Consistency everywhere 

The brands that win in AI aren’t the loudest —
they’re the most trusted and easiest to recommend.