How Business Owners Can Improve Local Visibility Using ChatGPT

When someone asks ChatGPT for a local chiropractor, they don’t just get a basic list; they get recommendations with explanations of why each clinic is worth visiting. These can be “award-winning” or “specializes in sports rehabilitation.” The AI pulls from reviews, awards, and patient feedback to explain why each clinic is worth visiting.

This isn’t luck, it’s what happens when businesses build a solid reputation across multiple platforms, not just Google. If you want your biz to get these AI tools to recommend your practice, you need to be consistent so potential customers might look or leave feedback. Each review and profile adds up, creating the kind of credibility that gets AI tools to recommend your practice to people in the Fraser Valley.

Here’s what this looks like in practice. When we asked ChatGPT for “chiropractors in South Surrey,” each recommendation came with specific reasons for each business. Even though it’s a search local to us, you’ll notice how each result is not just a name, which is exactly how ChatGPT and similar tools work. Notice how the AI highlights “PAN Readers’ Choice Award” or “Best Chiropractor.” These aren’t random picks. The AI pulled from multiple sources to find specific reasons each practice stands out. That “why” comes from having a strong reputation beyond just Google. The AI finds awards, patient comments about specific treatments, and other details to give people a real reason to choose them.

 

The Changing Dynamics of Local Search

Local search is changing. Instead of simply showing up on Google Maps, a new client might ask an AI tool for help and get a curated list of local chiropractors with a short summary. What matters isn’t just being listed, it’s how you’re described by the AI tool. That description could be “multidisciplinary,” “family-focused,” or “specialist in the Gonstead technique.” These are the points that actually matter to patients, and they come from having consistent information across your profiles and reviews.

To show you how competitive this market is, here’s a look at 10 chiropractic clinics in South Surrey, along with what makes each one stand out.

List of recommended chiropractors in South Surrey / White Rock with descriptions of services offered.
A list of local chiropractor clinics around South Surrey presented in a table with clinic names and their respective locations/notes.

If you want your business recommended like this, you need to be active on all the platforms we’ve mentioned, making sure your brand story stays consistent and strong wherever a potential customer might find you. When AI systems scan the web for recommendations, they’re looking for that depth of information that turns a simple business listing into a trusted recommendation with real substance. Each company has its own strengths, but it’s the visibility and depth of their online presence that decides who shows up when clients search, or when AI tools give recommendations.

Why Reviews Beyond Google Matter

With a highly saturated area, simply having a Google profile won’t guarantee visibility. So the more complete your online presence across different platforms is, the better chance AI has of pulling the right information to set you apart from competitors. The thing is, AI tools don’t just pull from Google, and Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI means Bing’s data feeds directly into ChatGPT results. Studies and industry research suggest that Bing Places listings with reviews spread across multiple sites have a stronger chance of being included in ChatGPT’s recommendations. In practice, this means that focusing only on your Google reviews leaves a gap in your visibility.

Four rounded-corner blue cards detail factors for online visibility: Google Profile, Bing & ChatGPT, Review Distribution, and Consistency.

Having your clients’ voices appear on different trusted sources, from Facebook and Yelp to RateMDs and BBB, increases the likelihood that your business will show up in AI-generated lists. The consistency across these platforms becomes the foundation of how your business gets recognized and recommended.

Local Review Sources That Matter in the Lower Mainland

Not every review platform carries equal weight, and the sources that influence Bing Places and ChatGPT often differ from those that drive Google. For businesses in the Lower Mainland, here are the platforms that matter most and should be part of your review approach:

  • Google Business Profile – The starting point for almost every potential customer's search
  • Facebook – Reviews left on business pages and through local groups are influential
  • Yelp – Still relevant in Metro Vancouver, especially for healthcare and personal services
  • YellowPages.ca – While less prominent than before, it continues to appear in Bing's index
  • RateMDs – A healthcare-specific site that many Canadian patients check before booking
  • Healthgrades – A growing player for medical practitioners, with an expanding presence in Canada
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Signals credibility and trust for people making comparisons
  • ThreeBestRated.ca – Often shows up in "best of" search results for local businesses
  • 411.ca – Remains active in BC for local lookups

Building a Stronger Local Reputation

From what we’ve seen, simply having a listing isn’t enough. Each profile must be active, detailed, and updated regularly. Business owners should focus on a few best practices that strengthen online visibility:

  • Diversify review requests: ask every customer for feedback on multiple platforms, not just Google. This will help spread out where your reviews appear
  • Respond to all reviews: engagement signals that you’re active and invested in customer service regardless if its positive or negative reviews
  • Leverage Facebook: Encourage check-ins and tags, especially since local community groups have a significant influence on decisions and can naturally help increase visibility
  • Be Consistent: Keep your Bing Places listing and Google Business Profile aligned and updated, even if it doesn’t feel like a priority today. This helps with AI-driven search results

The Bigger Picture

With the rise of AI-driven search and the "Shop Local" movement, potential patients increasingly ask tools like ChatGPT for recommendations. When they ask for a chiropractor in South Surrey, the responses they receive are influenced by your presence across various platforms. Being active on 5-10 trusted sources could be the deciding factor between being recommended or being overlooked.

For you, this isn't just about search rankings, it's about reputation. Businesses that broaden their review presence now are positioning themselves to appear in the right places as AI continues to shape how people search for local services.