AI SEO Services for London Local Businesses
How AI Assistants Find Local Businesses
| Assistant | Where its local information comes from | What that means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Google AI Overviews and AI Mode | Google’s search index and its local business data | An indexed website and a complete, accurate Google Business Profile |
| ChatGPT search | Web search results and pages its search crawler (OAI-SearchBot) can access | A site that doesn’t block that crawler, plus consistent details across the web |
| Microsoft Copilot | Bing search and Bing Places | A claimed, complete Bing Places listing and a site Bing can crawl |
| Siri and Apple Maps | Apple Maps data from Apple Business Connect | A claimed Apple Business Connect listing with correct details |
| Perplexity and other assistants | Their own web search and the pages they cite | Clear, factual pages and mentions on sites they trust |
What AI Search Optimisation Isn't
What AI SEO isn't
- Special "AI files" that guarantee visibility
- Content written to game a chatbot
- Guaranteed placement in ChatGPT or AI Overviews
- A replacement for local SEO
Five Things That Decide Whether You're Mentioned
Crawler access
Consistent business facts
Pages that answer real questions
Reputation sources
A clear business identity
Measuring AI Visibility Honestly
What we report on
- Search Console clicks and impressions, including AI features
- Referral visits from AI assistants
- Mentions in regular local question checks
- Accuracy of how assistants describe you
- Calls and enquiries alongside all of the above
When AI SEO Makes Sense for Your Business
AI SEO Questions
Can you guarantee ChatGPT will recommend my business?
No, and you should be wary of anyone who does. Answers vary by person, wording and location. We remove the reasons you’d be left out and track how often you’re mentioned over time.
Is AI SEO different from local SEO?
It builds on it. The same signals matter: accurate business information, reviews, a clear website and trusted mentions. AI SEO adds crawler access, answer-ready pages and checks of how assistants describe you.
Do I need an llms.txt file or special schema?
Google says no special files or schema are needed for its AI features. Accurate structured data is still useful because it helps search engines understand your business, but it is not a shortcut.
Should I block AI crawlers from my website?
That’s your choice, but blocking search crawlers such as OAI-SearchBot can keep your site out of those assistants’ answers. Training crawlers are controlled separately, so you can allow search access without allowing training.
How long does AI search optimisation take?
Fixes to access and listings are picked up as assistants refresh their sources, often within weeks. Reputation and mentions build over months, in step with your wider local SEO.