● The short answer
AI assistants answer "best near me" questions by searching in real time, using your approximate location, then summarizing what they find in maps data, review platforms, directories, local media, forums and business websites. Gemini can ground answers in Google Maps data; ChatGPT uses search partners such as Bing. Businesses that are accurately listed, well reviewed and written about locally are the ones most often named.
Key takeaways
- AI assistants answer local questions by searching live and summarizing maps, review, directory and web sources.
- Gemini can ground in Google Maps data; ChatGPT uses search partners such as Bing.
- BrightLocal's 2026 survey found 45% of consumers used AI tools for local recommendations.
What happens when someone asks
When someone asks ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity or Google's AI features for "the best Thai food near me," the assistant usually does not answer from memory. It runs one or more searches, often breaking the question into several sub-queries (a process called query fan-out), reads the results, and writes a summary with a short list of businesses. This is grounding: tying the answer to live sources rather than training data alone.
The how is where we come in.
What we walk through with you, for your business:
- Where each assistant gets local data
- How people are using it
- What makes a business more likely to be named
- What does not work
Every business is different, so the plan is too. Tell us where you want to show up and we will show you what it takes.
Talk to usMore questions
Do AI assistants use my Google reviews?
Google's Gemini models can ground answers in Google Maps data, which includes ratings and reviews. Other assistants may draw on Google results, Bing, Yelp, TripAdvisor or other review platforms, depending on their search partners. Healthy reviews on Google plus the leading review site in your category cover most assistants.
Why does AI recommend my competitor and not me?
Usually because the competitor has more or better evidence in the sources the assistant reads: more recent reviews, a mention in a local best-of list, a clearer website or more consistent listings. Check which sources the assistant cites, then work on being present and accurate in those sources.
Sources
- Google: Grounding with Google Maps now available in the Gemini API
- OpenAI Help Center: ChatGPT search
- BrightLocal: Local Consumer Review Survey 2026
- FTC: Federal Trade Commission announces final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials
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