By the end of 2025, AI chatbots will handle roughly 8% of all "best [thing] near me" queries (BrightLocal projection, mid-2024). Most local businesses don't know whether they appear when ChatGPT answers — and the ones that do are quietly winning more reservations than their rivals.
How AI search differs from Google
- ChatGPT returns 3–5 named businesses, not 100 blue links.
- It blends Google Business reviews, web mentions, and Reddit threads.
- It cites no specific source most of the time — owners can't "submit" to it.
- Position 1–3 captures ~80% of the click-through.
What helps you rank in AI answers
- High Google rating (4.5+ is the threshold most AI answers respect).
- Recent reviews (LLMs weight "last 30 days" heavily).
- Specific menu items / services mentioned in reviews.
- Press mentions and listicles — Reddit and Eater-style blogs are surfaced often.
See how Yerly tracks your AI visibility →
Frequently asked questions
Which AI models matter most for local search?↓
ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity — in that order by query volume as of mid-2025.
Can I pay to appear in AI answers?↓
Not yet for organic answers. Some experiments with sponsored AI results exist but aren't open to local businesses.