What does ChatGPT know about your business? 3 tests

Ask the question yourself. Open ChatGPT and type: "What do you know about [your business name] in [your city]?" Then look at what comes back.

For most local businesses, one of three things happens. One: ChatGPT does not know your business at all. Two: ChatGPT knows it but with outdated information (old hours, previous address). Three: ChatGPT knows only what's on the Google profile, nothing more.

Each of these is a problem. If Mrs Lockwood asks tonight about a workshop in your city, one of those three gaps sent a customer to the competition.

How AIs know what they know today

Three main sources.

Google Business Profile. Address, hours, reviews, photos. Complete profile = AI has the basics. Why your Google profile matters more than ever in 2026, here.

Your website. Texts, FAQs, services, customer stories — but only if the site is built so AI crawlers can read it. Static pages with clear text get cited more than JavaScript apps with marketing fluff.

Third-party sources. Industry directories, Trustpilot, local news, competitor comparisons. Unfiltered — you have little control over what's said.

What you can do today

Three test questions.

"Which [industry] in [city] would you recommend?" — Does your name appear in the top 3?

"What is [your business name] in [city]?" — Are the facts correct? Address, hours, specialisation?

"What customer experiences have there been with [your name]?" — Are your reviews mentioned, or is the information missing?

If any answer is wrong or empty, you know where the lever is. How we systematically solve this, here. Why AI engines overlook local businesses, here.