When customers ask AI "best restaurant near me" or "find a plumber in [city]," local businesses compete for AI recommendations just like they compete in local search. Local GEO optimizes your business for these location-based AI queries.
How AI Handles Local Queries
AI systems process local queries by combining location awareness (from user settings or query context), business information from local databases and directories, review aggregation from Google, Yelp, and other platforms, and web content from your site and others.
Unlike traditional local SEO, AI synthesizes all this information into direct recommendations rather than showing a list of options.
Local GEO Checklist
Google Business Profile Optimization
Complete every field. Add photos, services, products, and Q&A. Respond to reviews. This is the primary local data source for AI.
NAP Consistency
Ensure Name, Address, and Phone are identical across all platforms—website, directories, social profiles, citations.
Review Management
Actively generate and respond to reviews on Google, Yelp, and industry-specific platforms. AI aggregates review sentiment for recommendations.
LocalBusiness Schema
Implement comprehensive LocalBusiness schema markup with all relevant properties including hours, services, and geo-coordinates.
Location-Specific Content
Create pages targeting specific service areas and neighborhoods. Include local landmarks and context that AI can use for proximity matching.
Directory Presence
Claim and optimize listings on Yelp, industry directories, and local business associations. More consistent citations improve AI confidence.
Query Types to Optimize For
"Near Me" Queries
Generic searches like "coffee shop near me" require strong local signals and review scores to compete.
"Best [Service] in [City]" Queries
These explicit location queries need both city-level optimization and quality signals to rank among the best.
Specific Service Queries
"Emergency plumber in [neighborhood]" requires service-specific content combined with geographic targeting.
Comparative Queries
"Italian restaurant vs steakhouse in [area]" requires clear categorization so AI understands which comparison you belong in.
Multi-Location Considerations
Businesses with multiple locations need individual optimization for each:
- Separate Google Business Profile per location
- Unique location pages on your website
- Location-specific reviews and responses
- Individual schema markup per location
- Consistent but unique content per location
Common mistake: Treating all locations identically. Each location competes in its own local market and needs distinct optimization.
Measuring Local AI Visibility
Test local queries regularly:
- Query variations with different location terms
- Compare across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI
- Test both generic and specific service queries
- Monitor competitor mentions in same queries
Get Your Local AI Visibility Audited
Our audit tests your local presence across AI platforms and identifies opportunities to improve.
Get Free AI Visibility Audit →