The Complete Guide to ChatGPT Business Recommendations for Female Entrepreneurs
TL;DR: ChatGPT recommends businesses based on expertise authority, specific positioning, and comprehensive content that answers real client questions. Focus on becoming the obvious expert for your niche rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
Ever wondered why some businesses get name-dropped when people ask ChatGPT for recommendations while others remain completely invisible?
Last month, I tested this by asking ChatGPT variations of “Can you recommend a good business coach for women entrepreneurs?” Guess what? The same three names kept appearing in responses, while brilliant coaches I know personally never got mentioned once.
When I asked the same question to Google it served up the tired decades-old names you’ve all heard of – and for whatever reason, aren’t interested in…
That’s when I realised something crucial: ChatGPT isn’t just changing how people search for information – it’s becoming the primary way your ideal clients discover and evaluate business services. If you’re not on ChatGPT’s radar as a trusted expert, you’re missing out on qualified prospects who are ready to invest in themselves.
The shift is happening faster than most female entrepreneurs realise. Women are asking ChatGPT questions like “How do I find a marketing consultant who doesn’t push social media?” or “What should I look for in a business coach as a working mum?” These aren’t casual browsing sessions – these are people actively seeking solutions you provide.
But here’s what I’ve learned after six months of obsessively tracking how AI systems choose which businesses to recommend: ChatGPT’s recommendation process is surprisingly predictable once you understand what it’s looking for.
Why ChatGPT Business Recommendations Matter More Than You Think
Let me share something that might make you uncomfortable: your ideal clients are having detailed conversations with ChatGPT about exactly the problems you solve, and you’re probably not part of those conversations.
I started tracking this when a potential client mentioned during our discovery call that “ChatGPT suggested I look for someone who specialises in AI search optimisation for women-owned businesses.” That comment made me curious, so I began testing various business-related queries to see which experts ChatGPT was recommending.
The results certainly made me sit up and pay attention. ChatGPT consistently recommended the same experts across different conversation topics, and these weren’t necessarily the businesses with the biggest marketing budgets or the most social media followers. They were the ones who had established clear expertise in specific niches.
More importantly, the people asking ChatGPT for business recommendations are typically further along in their buying journey. They’re not casually browsing or scrolling – they’re actively seeking solutions and comparing options. When ChatGPT recommends your business, you’re getting pre-qualified leads who already trust the source of the recommendation.
According to my observations over the past few months, businesses that get consistently recommended by ChatGPT report higher-quality discovery calls and better client fit. The AI has already done some filtering based on the specific questions asked, so prospects arrive more educated about what they need.
How I Discovered ChatGPT Was Recommending My Competitors (Not Me)
About four months ago, I had one of those “oh shit” moments that every business owner dreads. I was testing how ChatGPT responded to questions about GEO and AI search optimisation – my area of expertise – when I realised my name wasn’t appearing in any recommendations.
Despite having comprehensive content about transitioning from SEO to GEO and helping women entrepreneurs with AI search optimisation, ChatGPT was recommending other experts when people asked relevant questions.
It was like discovering your ideal clients were asking for directions to businesses exactly like yours, but everyone was pointing them toward your competitors instead. Frustrating doesn’t begin to cover it.
That’s when I decided to reverse-engineer the process. I spent weeks asking ChatGPT hundreds of business-related questions, documenting which experts got recommended and analysing what made them stand out. I compared their content, positioning, and online presence to understand why ChatGPT viewed them as authorities worth recommending.
The patterns that emerged completely changed how I approach content creation and business positioning for AI discovery.
The 4 Elements ChatGPT Looks for Before Recommending Businesses
Through my analysis of ChatGPT’s recommendation patterns, I identified four consistent elements that influence which businesses get suggested:
1. Specific Expertise Positioning
ChatGPT gravitates toward experts who are known for solving particular problems rather than generic service providers. Instead of “business coach,” the recommended experts were positioned as “scaling strategist for service-based businesses” or “productivity coach for working mothers.”
The lesson? ChatGPT needs to understand exactly what makes you different from the hundreds of other coaches or consultants in your general field.
2. Demonstrated Authority Through Content
The recommended experts consistently had comprehensive content that answered specific client questions in detail. Not surface-level blog posts, but thorough guides that showed genuine expertise and experience.
ChatGPT seems to favour content that includes personal frameworks, specific methodologies, and real-world examples over generic advice that could apply to anyone.
3. Clear Problem-Solution Alignment
ChatGPT recommends businesses when there’s obvious alignment between what someone is asking for and what the expert specialises in. The more specific your positioning, the more likely you are to be recommended for relevant queries.
4. Consistent Professional Information
The recommended experts had consistent information across platforms – the same business description, clear credentials – and similar positioning everywhere ChatGPT might encounter their information.
My Step-by-Step Process for ChatGPT Optimisation
After identifying these patterns, I developed a systematic approach to optimise for ChatGPT recommendations. Here’s the exact process I use with clients:
Week 1: Research and Positioning Audit
First, I test current ChatGPT recommendations for their industry. I ask variations of questions their ideal clients might ask and document which experts get mentioned. This reveals positioning gaps and opportunities.
Then I help them develop specific expertise positioning that differentiates them from generic service providers. Instead of competing with everyone, we identify their unique intersection of expertise.
Week 2: Content Strategy Development
We create comprehensive content that demonstrates their specific expertise and methodology. This isn’t blog content optimised for search engines – it’s detailed, helpful content that establishes genuine authority.
The focus is on answering the exact questions their ideal clients ask during discovery calls, using the same language and addressing the same concerns.
Week 3: Authority Documentation
We document their credentials, experience, and unique approach in ways that ChatGPT can understand and reference. This includes detailed bio pages, methodology explanations, and case studies that show real results.
Week 4: Consistency and Testing
We ensure consistent business information across all platforms and begin testing ChatGPT responses to relevant queries. This testing phase helps us refine the approach based on actual recommendation patterns.
Real Examples: ChatGPT Conversations That Convert to Clients
Let me share some actual examples of how this works in practice (with permission from clients):
Example 1: Business Coach Positioning A client was struggling to get ChatGPT recommendations despite having solid traditional SEO rankings. Her generic “business coach for women” positioning wasn’t specific enough for AI recommendations.
We repositioned her as “business growth strategist helping female service providers scale to six figures without sacrificing family time using the BALANCE methodology.” Within six weeks, she started appearing in ChatGPT responses to questions about scaling service businesses while maintaining work-life balance.
Example 2: Marketing Consultant Specialisation Another client, a marketing consultant, was invisible in ChatGPT recommendations until we focused her positioning around “marketing strategies for businesses that refuse to use social media.” This specific angle made her the obvious choice when people asked ChatGPT about marketing without social platforms.
The key in both cases wasn’t having more content or better SEO – it was more about becoming the obvious expert for specific problems that people actually ask ChatGPT about.
Common Mistakes That Keep You Invisible in ChatGPT
Based on my experience helping female entrepreneurs improve their ChatGPT visibility, here are the most common mistakes I see:
Mistake 1: Generic Business Descriptions
Using broad terms like “life coach” or “business consultant” without specifying who you help or what problems you solve. ChatGPT needs clarity to make confident recommendations.
Mistake 2: Keyword-Focused Content Instead of Expertise Demonstration
Creating content optimised for search engines rather than content that demonstrates genuine expertise and authority. ChatGPT prefers comprehensive, helpful content over keyword-stuffed articles.
Mistake 3: Inconsistent Professional Information
Having different business descriptions, credentials, or positioning across platforms. This confusion reduces ChatGPT’s confidence in recommending your business.
Mistake 4: Assuming Credentials Alone Establish Authority
Listing qualifications without demonstrating how you apply that knowledge to solve specific problems. ChatGPT wants to see expertise in action, not just on paper.
Your 30-Day ChatGPT Recommendation Action Plan
Here’s your practical roadmap to start getting recommended by ChatGPT:
Days 1-7: Research Phase
- Test current ChatGPT recommendations for your industry
- Ask 10 variations of questions your ideal clients might ask
- Document which experts get recommended and analyse their positioning
- Identify gaps where your expertise could fit
Days 8-14: Positioning Development
- Develop specific expertise positioning that differentiates you from generic providers
- Create detailed business descriptions that clearly explain who you help and how
- Ensure consistency across all platforms and profiles
Days 15-21: Content Creation
- Create comprehensive content answering specific client questions
- Document your unique methodology and frameworks
- Include real examples and case studies where possible
- Focus on demonstrating expertise rather than optimising for keywords
Days 22-30: Testing and Refinement
- Begin testing ChatGPT responses to relevant queries
- Monitor whether your positioning changes recommendation patterns
- Refine approach based on initial results
- Continue creating authority-building content
The Compound Effect of ChatGPT Recommendations
What I love about optimising for ChatGPT recommendations is the compound effect. Once ChatGPT starts recognising you as an authority in your niche, it becomes easier to get recommended for related queries. And, much like your savings account working on compound interest – I’m going to say yes, yes, yes to compound interest from AI search engines!
Each recommendation builds your authority score, making future recommendations more likely. It’s like having a trusted referral partner who knows exactly when to recommend your services.
More importantly, the clients who find you through ChatGPT recommendations typically arrive more educated about your approach and ready to work with you. The AI has already filtered for relevant expertise, so discovery calls tend to be higher quality.
Key Points to Remember:
- ChatGPT recommends based on specific expertise, not generic positioning
- Comprehensive, authority-demonstrating content outperforms keyword-focused content
- Consistency across platforms builds ChatGPT’s confidence in recommendations
- Testing and refinement are essential for improving recommendation frequency
- Quality of leads from ChatGPT recommendations typically exceeds traditional marketing channels
Ready to become the expert ChatGPT recommends when your ideal clients are ready to invest? Start with my 50-point GEO audit checklist to assess where your business currently stands in AI search systems.
