01How search is changing
It used to be about ranking first on Google. Today it’s also about whether the AI mentions you in its answer.
Anyone asking “advertising agency near me” or “who builds websites in Upper Austria?” no longer gets a list of ten links from ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity or Google’s AI Overviews, but a finished answer – often with two or three recommendations.
These answers are built from content the AI finds and understands online. Those described clearly, completely and credibly get mentioned.
02What the AI needs to know about you
- 01
Who you are
Name, industry and what makes you special – in full sentences, not just keywords.
- 02
What you offer
Every service with its own page and a clear description.
- 03
Where you work
State your location and service area explicitly.
- 04
Why people trust you
References, experience and a complete imprint.
03The technology behind it
What a search engine can’t read, no AI can recommend.
Many AI crawlers only read the text the server delivers. Websites that assemble their content in the browser often look empty to them. These points help:
- deliver content as finished HTML and load quickly
- structured data (Schema.org) for your company, services and FAQs
- allow the AI providers’ search crawlers in robots.txt
- an llms.txt as a compact overview – not a standard yet, but quick to set up
- answer common questions directly and briefly
04Beyond your website
The AI believes you more when others say the same about you.
- 01
Google Business Profile
Complete it, add photos, ask for reviews.
- 02
Bing Webmaster Tools
Register your website and sitemap – ChatGPT relies on Bing, among others, for search.
- 03
Directories
Keep listings such as the Austrian Chamber of Commerce directory up to date.
- 04
Stay consistent
Write your name, address and phone number the same way everywhere.