One of our clients didn’t find us through Google, but thanks to a question asked to ChatGPT.
This episode shows how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way people search for suppliers and partners.
But how can you “stand out” and get recommended by an AI?
In this article I share reflections and practical advice for companies that want to position themselves also in the world of AI search.
The real case: when a client comes from ChatGPT
Today, digital word of mouth doesn’t only happen through traditional search engines, but also through artificial intelligence.
Our recent experience is concrete proof: a new client found us by directly asking ChatGPT which reliable web agency in Bologna used a solid framework.
The answer? Tecnotrade, with October CMS.
This episode opened our eyes to a crucial aspect: ChatGPT and other AI models don’t work like Google.
They don’t just read keywords or sponsored links, but process data from authoritative sources, public content, mentions, articles, reviews, and case studies.
In practice, they build an overall “digital reputation”.
For this reason, the question is no longer only “how to rank on Google,” but also “how to position yourself in the AI’s perspective.”
If your brand isn’t told consistently and doesn’t leave clear traces on the web, AI simply won’t see you.
Our client didn’t type ten links and make comparisons: they received a single clear name.
This demonstrates the strength of the new paradigm: less dispersion and more trust in AI’s direct recommendation.
And if today ChatGPT chose us, tomorrow it could choose (or ignore) your company.
How AI indexing works and why it’s different from SEO
When we talk about ChatGPT, we must forget the logic of traditional SEO made of keyword stuffing and aggressive link building.
Here there are no “first pages” to climb, but a model that reprocesses huge amounts of data.
The priority is not being the first result, but being recognized by the model as “reliable” and “trustworthy.”
AI indexing is built through several factors:
Clear, topic-focused content: articles that clearly explain who you are, what you do, and why you do it in a specific sector.
External references: mentions on third-party sites, interviews, case studies that strengthen your reputation.
Narrative consistency: a coherent brand that does not communicate conflicting messages.
Reliable technologies: if your name is associated with solid tools (in our case October CMS), this increases the likelihood that AI will connect you to quality and reliability.
AI doesn’t just “read” your website, but cross-checks multiple sources.
This makes the game more complex, but also more meritocratic.
You can’t “cheat” with SEO tricks: you really need to work on your brand positioning.
Practical strategies to be found by ChatGPT
If today you wanted to maximize your chances of being suggested by ChatGPT in your sector, what should you do?
Here are some practical tips based on our experience:
Share real cases: publish actual projects, explain how you solved problems and what results you delivered to clients. AI will use them as tangible proof of your expertise.
Write for people, not just for Google: clear, educational, and user-friendly articles help both users and AI better understand who you are.
Be consistent everywhere: LinkedIn, website, press releases, interviews. Your narrative must be unique and always reinforce the same message.
Highlight the technology you use: if you rely on reliable frameworks or software, talk about it. AI recognizes them as signals of quality.
Focus on authority: if you manage to get mentions in industry blogs, local media, or authoritative portals, you increase the chances of being associated with reliability.
These steps don’t replace classic SEO, but they complement it. The future will be hybrid: Google will continue to matter, but ChatGPT and other AI tools will become increasingly relevant for brand and supplier discovery.
The real challenge for companies, therefore, is to start working today on their AI reputation.
Because the day someone in your industry asks ChatGPT for advice, you may want to be the answer.
