Guide for business owners
What AI apps read about your business
AI apps like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity answer questions about local businesses using what they find on the web: your listings, your website, your reviews, and other sites that mention you. To change what they say, fix those sources.
By Hypher. Published .
In three steps
Ask the apps about you
Ask a few AI apps what a customer would ask, like "Where can I get my brakes done in Rapid City?" Write down what they say.
Fix the sources
Correct anything wrong on your Google, Bing and Apple listings, your website and your social pages.
Write plain facts
Put what you do, where, your hours and answers to common questions on your website, in plain text.
Where do AI apps get their facts?
Each app works a little differently, and the companies don't share every detail. What is known, in general:
- Gemini and Google's AI answers draw on Google's own data, including Business Profiles, and on websites.
- ChatGPT's web search uses outside search providers, and Bing is widely reported to be one of them. That makes Bing Places worth claiming.
- Siri and Apple Maps use Apple's own map data, which you can correct with Apple Business Connect.
- Perplexity searches the live web and shows links to the pages it used.
How do I check what they say about me?
Ask the way a customer would. Try "Where can I get [what you sell] in Rapid City?" and "What are [your business name]'s hours?" Ask in a few apps, and ask more than once, because answers can change from one day to the next. Write down anything wrong and check again in a month.
How do I fix a wrong answer?
You usually can't edit an AI answer directly. Instead, fix the places it learned from: your Google, Bing and Apple listings, your website, and sites like Facebook and Yelp. Some apps also have a thumbs-down or feedback button. Changes can take weeks to show.
What helps an AI app understand my business?
- Plain text on your website, not only words inside photos or PDFs
- A page for each main service, with the city in the words
- Answers to the questions customers really ask
- The same name, address and phone everywhere
- Mentions on other local sites, like a business group you belong to or local news
Is my website blocking AI apps?
It might be. Some website hosts and security services block some AI crawlers by default. If you want AI apps to be able to mention you, ask your web person or host to check that their crawlers aren't blocked.
What should I avoid?
Hidden text, stuffing your pages with keywords, and fake reviews can all backfire. So can tools that promise to "rank you in ChatGPT". No one controls what these apps say.
How does Hypher help?
Every Hypher member page is built to be read by search engines and AI apps: plain text that loads without extra steps, your facts in a standard format, and links to your other profiles so they can tell it's all one business. See what members get.
Questions people ask
Can I pay to show up in AI answers?
Be careful of anyone who promises a spot in AI answers. No one outside those companies controls them.
Do AI apps read my Instagram or Facebook?
Sometimes. Text on a public web page is much easier for them to read than photos and captions, so keep your key facts on your website too.
How often should I check?
Once a month is plenty. Use the same few questions each time so you can see what changed.
This guide is general advice, not a promise of results. Google, Bing, Apple and the AI apps change how they work often. If something here looks out of date, tell us.