AI Will See You Now: How to Get ChatGPT to Recommend Your Content

Written By Holly Alexander

The prescription to optimize your content for AI-driven discovery and referral.

You may have spotted something new in your Google Analytics: chat.openai.com showing up as a referrer. That means someone asked ChatGPT a question, your website was recommended—and they clicked.

Welcome to SEO 2.0: the rise of AI-driven search and referral.

While you can’t “submit” your site to ChatGPT the way you do with Google, you can take smart steps to increase your chances of being mentioned—and drive meaningful traffic from generative tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.

Here's how to earn a spot in the AI spotlight. 

1. Create Content That Answers Specific, Real-World Questions

AI tools aim to be helpful above all else. That means they tend to cite content that clearly and directly answers natural-language queries like: 

  • “What’s the best flooring for homes with dogs?”

  • “Can I have a white sofa with kids?”

  • “How do I design a guest room that doubles as a playroom?”

What to do:
Write blog posts and landing pages that mirror these kinds of questions—literally. Use headings like:

  • H2: Can I have a white sofa with kids? (Yes—here’s how)

  • H2: What’s the best way to dog-proof a rental apartment?

  • H2: How do I keep my house looking grown-up with toddlers around?

Include a short, direct answer up top, then elaborate further in the body.

2. Use Structured Data (FAQ + How-To Schema)

AI models—and search engines—prefer content that’s easy to parse and structured for clarity. Pages that use schema markup (like FAQPage, HowTo, and Product schema) are more likely to be understood and referenced.

What to do:

  • Use Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure your structured data is valid.

  • Build FAQ sections that match how people phrase questions in tools like ChatGPT.

3. Target Long-Tail, Niche Queries

ChatGPT doesn’t prioritize content that ranks #1 on Google. It surfaces answers that feel relevant and specific. That’s why long-tail queries—questions with more detail and intent—are where smaller brands can win.

What to do:
Use tools like AlsoAsked or Answer the Public to find the exact questions your audience is asking, and build content around them.

Example:
Instead of targeting “best couch,” target “best stain-resistant sectional for families with pets.”

4. Write Like a Human (So AI Can Recommend You)

The best-performing content in ChatGPT is clear, conversational, and helpful. That’s not a coincidence. AI models are trained to identify content that sounds trustworthy—just like a smart friend answering a question.

What to do:

  • Avoid stiff, over-optimized language.

  • Break text into scannable sections.

  • Write in the second person (“you”), and explain “why” and “how.”

5. Build Authority Through Credible Mentions

ChatGPT often pulls from sources it has seen mentioned elsewhere on the web. That includes listicles, directories, expert roundups, and press coverage.

What to do:

  • Pitch your business to appear in articles, guides, or industry lists.

  • Contribute quotes to journalists via tools like HARO or Qwoted.

  • Create original, cite-worthy content that others link to (like stats, comparisons, or tools).

What About AI Overviews in Google?

You’ve likely seen those AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. Google calls them AI Overviews, and they’re part of a new wave of generative search experiences.

Sites that clearly answer questions—and are seen as trustworthy—are more likely to be cited in those summaries, often with clickable links.

Translation: You don’t just want to rank anymore—you want to be referenced.

Final Thought: SEO 2.0 Is Already Here

Generative AI isn’t replacing search. It is changing how users find and trust information—and who gets credit for providing it. Whether they’re typing into Google or prompting ChatGPT, people are looking for helpful, well-structured answers.

If your site delivers those answers clearly, consistently, and credibly, you’ll earn your place in the AI-powered future of search.

Need help creating AI-optimized content?
Let’s talk about how to make your site the one ChatGPT recommends next.

Holly Alexander