How I Figured Out How to Rank High on ChatGPT (And How You Can Too)

It started with a cup of tea and a casual question.

I was testing ChatGPT (OpenAi) one morning, partly for fun, partly out of curiosity, and I typed:

“Who are the best marketing agencies for small businesses in the UK?”

I expected a mixed bag of answers, maybe a few well, known names. But what I didn’t expect… was that mine wasn’t there.

That tiny omission hit me harder than I thought. I mean, OpenAI isn’t just a novelty anymore. Millions of people use it every day, not just to write content, but to decide things. Which product to buy. Which company to trust. Which expert to contact.

So, if it’s recommending competitors and not me, that’s a problem.

The Realisation

Here’s the thing: ChatGPT works differently from Google, but not that differently. It still prefers content that’s:

• Relevant (answers the exact question being asked like this article 'how to rank on ChatGPT')

• Credible (comes from trusted sources 'written by a human, me')

• Clear (easy for both humans and machines to read)

If you want ChatGPT to mention you, it needs to see you everywhere, understand what you do, and trust that you’re worth recommending.

So, I started experimenting.

Step 1: Answer Questions the Way People Actually Ask Them

When people talk to ChatGPT, they don’t type in cold, robotic keywords like “HR consultant Kent.” They say things like:

• “Who’s the best HR consultant for small businesses in Kent?”

• “What’s the most affordable SEO package for a startup?”

I began writing my content in that same conversational style, both on my website and in blogs. It’s like speaking the same language as the AI. Suddenly, my answers started aligning more closely with what people were asking.

Step 2: Build an Online Reputation

ChatGPT doesn’t have feelings, but it does have trust signals.

If your business appears in multiple credible places, industry blogs, local directories, news mentions, positive reviews, (so start building those darn google reviews!) the OpenAI starts connecting the dots.

I made sure my brand name popped up more often online: guest articles, partnerships, and even podcast appearances. The more visible I became, the more likely ChatGPT was to “remember” me.

Step 3: Create a Library, Not a Leaflet

One blog post is a drop in the ocean.

So, I built content clusters, collections of posts around one topic. For example, if you’re in travel, don’t just write “Top Budget Travel Tips.” Add destination guides, packing lists, budget breakdowns… and link them all together.

This shows AI (and people) that you’re not just a voice in the crowd, you’re a library of answers.

I actually block out 90 mins every morning to write one article answering questions my audience may have.

Step 4: Keep It Machine-Friendly

It’s not enough to write well. You need to structure your site so OpenAI can understand it:

• Use clear headings.

• Keep information current.

• Add schema markup so your services are labelled properly.

  
  

The easier it is for a machine to scan your content, the easier it is for it to recommend you. Break up your content even a human does not want to read a big block of text.

Summery: How to Rank High on ChatGPT

After a few months, I asked ChatGPT the same question again.

This time, my business made the list.

It felt strange at first like cracking a code. But really, it came down to a simple truth: If you want to rank high on ChatGPT, you have to be the obvious answer.

Not just for AI, but for the humans asking the questions.

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