How do I optimize my business for Perplexity and ChatGPT citations?
Optimization for AI citations requires 'Literal Authority'—direct, unambiguous answers to common industry questions paired with structured JSON-LD. In 2026, LLMs prioritize businesses that are frequently co-mentioned with high-authority local entities and landmarks.
AI search engines don't look for keywords; they look for verifiable facts and trusted recommendations.
1. The 'Direct Answer' Framework
LLMs are designed to summarize. If your content provides a clear, 2-3 sentence summary of a complex topic, you are significantly more likely to be used as the source for that summary.
2. Entity Co-occurrence
To be cited as the 'Best SEO in Los Angeles', your brand must appear alongside other established Los Angeles entities in crawlable datasets.
3. Real-Time Data Signals
Keep your Google Business Profile and local citations updated weekly. AI models with web-access (like Perplexity) prioritize the most recent data points to ensure accuracy.