More Australians now ask an AI assistant who to call before they ever open Google. If you run a plumbing business in Brisbane, a dental clinic in Perth or a cafe in Melbourne, the question is simple: when someone asks, does the answer include you?

1. Pick the questions your customers really ask

Think like a customer, not a marketer. People use natural, local phrasing: “who is a good tradie near me for a hot water system in Gold Coast”, “best family dentist in Joondalup”, or “dog friendly cafe in Inglewood”. Write down five to ten questions that match how your own customers describe what they need, including the suburb.

2. Ask more than one assistant

Different assistants draw on different sources and can give different answers. Try the same questions in ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity. Note which businesses are named, in what order, and what is said about each.

3. Record what you find

For each question, note whether you were mentioned, who else was named, and the wording used to describe you. Do this in a simple spreadsheet. Answers can change from one day to the next, so a single check is only a snapshot. Repeating it over time is what shows a trend.

4. Work out why you are missing

AI assistants tend to name businesses they can find clear, consistent information about. If you are absent, common reasons are:

• no page on your website answers the question (for example, a service in a specific suburb);
• your business details differ across your website, Google Business Profile and directories;
• competitors have more reviews or clearer pages that the assistant can quote.

5. Fix it and recheck

Publish pages that directly answer the questions where you were missing, keep your details consistent everywhere, and recheck after a few weeks. Only state facts you can stand behind: AI tools can repeat inaccuracies, so make sure what you publish is correct.