In 2026, your customers search in two places: Google and AI tools like ChatGPT. The businesses that win are the ones showing up in both. The good news is that many actions help you rank in both simultaneously. This guide gives you the practical playbook — what to do, in what order, and why each action matters for both channels.
The dual channel strategy
Google and AI tools use different ranking systems, but they draw from overlapping data sources. Your strategy should target the overlap first (actions that help both), then layer on channel specific tactics for each.
| Action | Helps Google | Helps AI | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Yes | Yes | Do first |
| Google Reviews | Yes | Yes | Do first |
| Directory listings (consistent NAP) | Yes | Yes | Do first |
| Service pages with location keywords | Yes | Yes | Week 1 |
| Schema markup (structured data) | Yes | Yes | Week 1 |
| Allow AI crawlers (robots.txt) | No effect | Yes | Week 1 |
| Press release distribution | Minimal | Yes | Week 2 |
| Reviews on Trustpilot, Checkatrade | Indirect | Yes | Ongoing |
| Page speed optimisation | Yes | No effect | Week 2 |
| Backlink building | Yes | Indirect | Ongoing |
Phase 1: The overlap (helps both Google and AI)
Google Business Profile
Your GBP is the single most important asset for local visibility on both channels. Google uses it for the map pack. AI tools read it as a primary source of business information — your name, location, services, hours, and photos.
Fill in every field. Add your full service list. Upload real photos of your work (not stock images). Write a description that includes what you do, where you do it, and what makes you different. Update it whenever anything changes.
Reviews across platforms
Google Reviews drive your map pack ranking. But AI tools read reviews from everywhere — Google, Trustpilot, Facebook, Checkatrade, TrustATrader. Having reviews spread across multiple platforms creates the kind of independent consensus that makes AI tools confident enough to recommend you.
Focus on Google first (it helps both channels the most), then expand to one or two platforms that are relevant to your trade. The words in your reviews matter — ask customers to mention specific services and locations.
Directory listings with consistent details
Get listed on Yell, FreeIndex, Bark, Thomson Local, and any trade specific directories. Your name, address, and phone number must be identical everywhere. This builds backlinks for Google and creates the consistent citations that AI tools use to verify you're a real, active business.
Clear, factual website content
Every service you offer should have its own page with specific details: what the service involves, areas covered, typical costs, and your qualifications. Google uses this for keyword ranking. AI uses it to understand exactly what you offer and where.
Add schema markup (LocalBusiness structured data) so both Google and AI crawlers can read your business details in a standardised format. If you use WordPress, the Yoast SEO plugin handles this. If not, use Google's Structured Data Markup Helper to generate the code.
Phase 2: AI specific tactics (GEO)
Allow AI crawlers
Check your robots.txt file (yourdomain.com/robots.txt). If it blocks GPTBot, ClaudeBot, or PerplexityBot, those AI tools can't read your site at all. Many hosting providers and security plugins block these by default. Removing these blocks takes 5 minutes and can be the difference between being completely invisible to AI and being recommendable.
Press release distribution
This is the single fastest way to build AI visibility. A press release distributed through a service like EIN Presswire gets your business mentioned on Google News, Bing News, Apple News, and hundreds of industry outlets. 68% of AI citations come from third party sources, and press coverage is the highest impact source type.
The press release doesn't need to be about groundbreaking news. A business milestone, a new service launch, a community involvement story, or an industry insight all work. The point is to create legitimate third party mentions across authoritative news sites.
Multi platform review presence
Google Reviews help both channels. But for AI specifically, having reviews on Trustpilot, Facebook, and trade specific platforms adds extra signals. AI tools look for mentions across multiple independent sources — five platforms saying you're great is more convincing than one platform saying it five times.
Phase 3: Google specific tactics (SEO)
Page speed: Google uses it as a ranking factor. AI tools don't care. But your visitors do — test at pagespeed.web.dev and aim above 80 on mobile.
Backlinks from local sites: Links from local news, trade associations, and supplier websites build authority with Google. They have some indirect benefit for AI too, but they're primarily an SEO play.
Title tags and meta descriptions: These directly affect your Google click through rate. AI tools don't use them the same way, but good titles that clearly describe what you do and where are helpful for both.
The 4 week action plan
Week 1: Claim and complete your Google Business Profile. Check your robots.txt allows AI crawlers. Add schema markup to your website. Start asking customers for reviews.
Week 2: Get listed on 5 directories with identical business details. Create or update service pages with location keywords. Distribute your first press release.
Week 3: Test your page speed and fix any major issues. Set up review profiles on Trustpilot and one trade specific platform. Check your Google Search Console for any crawl errors.
Week 4: Search for yourself on ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Note where you show up and where you don't. Use this as your baseline for measuring progress. Plan your second press release for next month.
Want someone to handle both?
If you'd rather focus on running your business while someone else handles your Google and AI visibility, that's what we do. Our GEO Starter package covers your AI visibility foundations and core SEO for £150. Or get in touch and we'll tell you exactly where you stand on both channels.