What we have traditionally considered ‘search’ is changing fast. Alongside Google’s familiar results, more people are getting answers from AI assistants like ChatGPT. For small businesses, that shift creates a new kind of visibility goal: not just ranking with organic links, but becoming a trusted local (or niche) source that AI assistants choose to reference.
We think of this as GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) at 10TH DEGREE. It’s not magic and it’s not guaranteed, as AI answers and citations vary by prompt, LLM used, and context; but improving a few consistent signals (authority, clarity, performance, and content depth) increases the odds that your site is discovered in both Google and AI-assisted experiences. Below is a straightforward, action-oriented checklist you can start using right now, inspired by research done by SE Ranking.
1. Build real domain authority – One of the strongest signals that influences whether ChatGPT references a domain is domain authority, which is often reflected by quality backlinks from many unique websites. For small businesses, the goal isn’t chasing massive publications; it’s earning legit mentions from relevant places.
Our recommendation: Earn diverse, credible referrals by focusing on:
- Local PR (community news sites, local bloggers, chamber of commerce mentions)
- Partnerships (vendors, associations, sponsor pages, “trusted partner” directories)
- Testimonials (where you’re listed as a customer on a partner’s site)
- Data-backed or “useful” resources (pricing guides, checklists, local guides people actually cite)
- Relevant directories and review platforms (accurate listings that point back to you)
When other sites validate your business consistently, it gives AI systems more reason to trust you.
2. Win in Google search to strengthen your GEO foundation – Traditional SEO still matters a lot. Sites that attract more search visitors tend to show up more often in AI citations, and pages that rank on the ‘first page’ of Google search are more likely to be referenced than pages buried deep.
Our recommendation: Treat Google performance as fuel for AI visibility:
- Grow qualified organic traffic (not just clicks)
- Improve average rankings across a few core services/topics you actually sell
- Strengthen internal linking so your best pages share authority with related pages
If Google consistently “trusts” your pages, you’re building the same credibility signals AI models lean on.
3. Turn your homepage into an information hub – A nuance many small businesses miss: strong organic traffic to your homepage can signal brand trust and navigational demand, which are both correlated with being referenced more often by AI.
Our recommendation: Optimize your homepage like a high-value landing page:
- Clear positioning (who you help + what you do + where you do it)
- Strong title/meta description for branded + “service in city” searches
- Prominent pathways to your best service pages and resources
- Technical excellence (fast load, clean navigation, crawlable structure)
For small businesses, your homepage often is your authority anchor.
4. Publish ‘complete’ content that answers the whole question – AI systems tend to prefer pages that feel complete, like the kind someone would bookmark. Thorough pages often earn more citations than thin posts that skim the surface.
Our recommendation: Aim for topic coverage (not word count for its own sake):
- Explain the concept in plain language
- Give examples and step-by-step guidance
- Add supporting stats/sources when relevant
- Answer the natural follow-up questions customers ask
If your page reduces the need to look elsewhere, it becomes a stronger candidate to cite.
5. Make content easy to scan – Structure matters. Pages that are skimmable and substantial perform better. A strong pattern is using clear headings with sections long enough to fully complete a thought.
Our recommendation: Build a reader-first layout:
- Use descriptive H2s/H3s (not vague headers like “Overview”)
- Keep paragraphs readable, but not choppy micro-sections
- Use bullet lists for steps, checklists, and comparisons
This helps humans and AI systems interpret your page quickly.
6. Refresh your best pages regularly – Freshness is a competitive edge. Updated pages tend to stay relevant longer and can be cited more often than stale pages.
Our recommendation: Put simple updates on a quarterly rhythm:
- Replace outdated stats
- Add a new section based on recent customer questions
- Expand FAQs based on what you hear in sales calls
- Add internal links to newer supporting pages
You don’t need to rewrite everything all the time. Consistent improvements add up.
7. Use question-led titles and add FAQs that match real customer language – A simple shift: phrasing key pages as questions aligns with how people ask ChatGPT for help. FAQs also mirror conversational prompts.
Our recommendation: Add conversation-friendly signals:
- Titles like “How do I…”, “What is…”, “Best way to…”
- An H1 that matches the customer’s real question
- An FAQ section inside the main page content (not hidden)
This can be especially helpful for small businesses that are still building authority.
8. Strengthen third-party trust signals – AI assistants often look for signs that a business is legitimate beyond its own website. Reviews and consistent profiles across platforms are credibility multipliers.
Our recommendation: Claim and actively manage:
- Google Business Profile
- Industry review sites relevant to your niche
- Local directories (where appropriate)
- Partner/vendor marketplaces
Consistency across the web reduces doubt and increases trust signals.
9. Improve Core Web Vitals (speed and usability matter) – Performance and UX are more important than ever. Fast, responsive sites are associated with better engagement signals and are typically more “usable” as references.
Our recommendation: Treat speed like a growth lever:
- Reduce JavaScript bloat
- Compress and properly size images
- Improve INP responsiveness (slow interactions hurt)
- Optimize LCP/FCP (first meaningful load matters)
- Monitor performance regularly
Better UX supports better rankings and better AI-ready visibility.
10. Don’t over-focus on shortcuts like LLMs.txt – It’s tempting to try out new technical SEO and GEO ideas, but some emerging tactics (like adding an LLMs.txt file) don’t appear to meaningfully increase citation likelihood compared to fundamentals.
Our recommendation: Put effort where it consistently pays off:
- Authority + legitimate mentions across the web
- Strong organic performance (especially the homepage)
- In-depth, well-structured, updated content
- Reviews and local presence
- Real site speed improvements
Want 10TH DEGREE to help optimize your small business website for ChatGPT?
If you’re ready to improve how your business shows up in AI-driven search, 10TH DEGREE can help with technical SEO, content strategy, performance optimization, review management, managed directory listings, and website improvements designed to increase both Google rankings and AI citations.