How to optimise your Google Business Profile for AI search

Google Google is still important — but AI models use it differently from Maps. Get 5 specific GBP optimisations to boost your visibility on ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini.

Your Google Business Profile is your most important ticket to AI — but only if it’s optimised for AI search. ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini use GBP data to recommend local businesses. An unoptimised profile will be overlooked, even if your service is better than your competitors’. Here’s exactly what you need to do to get noticed.

By 2026, 52% of all AI searches on ChatGPT and Perplexity will be local — users will be searching for “hairdresser”, “plumber near me” or “best accountant”. Yet 9 out of 10 Danish SMVs Google Business Profiles are not optimised for AI search. They are optimised for Google Maps — and that’s not the same thing.

How do AI models use your Google Business Profile?

Local AI visibility is your business’s visibility in results from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot when users search for local services. In 2026, local AI visibility differs from traditional local SEO. Whereas Google Maps alone used to determine whether you were found locally, AI models now draw on data from Trustpilot, Krak, LinkedIn, your website — and yes, also Google Business Profile, but often as a secondary source.

AI platform	Weighting in GBP	Main data source
ChatGPT	22%	Bing Index + Trustpilot
Perplexity	18%	Live web search (5–8 sources)
Gemini	47%	Google index + GBP
Claude	13%	Brave Search + E-E-A-T

5 specific GBP optimisations for AI search

1. Write an AI-optimised description

Your GBP description is often the first thing the AI reads. Use the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) model: in the first sentence, state exactly what you do, for whom, and where. “Accountant with 15 years’ experience in SMV – bookkeeping and VAT” is better than “We offer professional advice on bookkeeping”.

2. Update opening hours and services weekly

AI models favour fresh data. According to The Digital Bloom ’25, GBP profiles updated within the last 30 days are cited in 76.4 per cent of relevant AI responses. Profiles without updates for 6+ months are cited in less than 10 per cent of cases. Set a weekly reminder to check and update your GBP profile.

3. Add all relevant categories

Google allows up to 10 categories per profile. Most SMV'er only use 1–2. AI models scan all categories to understand your business. If you’re a plumber, add: Plumbing contractor, Plumbing services, Drainage services, Heat pump installation, Energy advice — each category gives the AI an extra signal.

4. Set up a Q&A section with AI-relevant questions

Gemini often draws directly on the GBP Q&A section; Create 5–10 questions that customers typically ask, with clear, factual answers: “How much does a plumber charge per hour?” → “860 kr/hour excluding materials, including travel within the service area”.

5. Link to your llms.txt and your pricing pages

GBP allows one website link and one booking link. Use them strategically: link to your llms.txt-enabled website and to your pricing page. AI crawlers follow these links and use them to verify your GBP data.

Relark.dk: From invisible to crawled by AI

When we started with Relark.dk, it was a modern React SPA — attractive to users, but invisible to AI crawlers. The GEO Score was 49.9 (F). Following optimisation of robots.txt, structured data and SSR — it was picked up by GPTBot, ClaudeBot and PerplexityBot. Read the full case study: Relark.dk’GEO case study.

How do you measure your GBP’s AI visibility?

At Geoa, we measure your visibility across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity — including the extent to which your GBP features in the AI’s responses. Get a free 60-second test: Start for free at GEO-test. See also our guide: How GEO works.