Short answer: Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google a handful of realistic customer questions about your industry and location, and track whether your business gets named, how accurately, and which competitors show up instead.
A basic AI visibility audit doesn’t require special software — it requires asking the same questions a real customer would ask, and paying close attention to the answers.
Step 1: Write down 5-10 real customer questions
Not “best [industry] in [city]” — realistic phrasing like “who should I call for an emergency [service] in [city]” or “is [your business] good.”
Step 2: Ask each question in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google
Use a fresh chat each time, log in as yourself normally would, and record whether you’re named, what’s said about you, and what’s inaccurate.
Step 3: Note who shows up instead of you
The businesses that DO get named are your real competitive set for AI visibility — often a different list than who ranks first on Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I re-run this audit?
Quarterly is a reasonable baseline, or after any major site or listing changes.
What if the AI gets my information wrong?
Trace it back to a likely source (an old listing, outdated content) and correct it there, since models often source from a specific page.
Is a manual audit as good as a paid tool?
A manual check gives a real directional read; a tool adds scale and tracking over time.
Want the tool version done for you? Run a free AI visibility scan.