The rules of online discovery have changed. Here's how local businesses can adapt—and thrive.
If you run a business in Edmonton, you've probably noticed something shifting. Your customers aren't just Googling anymore—they're asking AI.
"Hey ChatGPT, what's the best Italian restaurant in Edmonton?" or "Find me an AI automation agency near me."
And here's the uncomfortable truth: if your business isn't showing up in those AI-generated answers, you're already losing customers to competitors who are. This isn't a distant future problem. It's happening right now, with millions of clicks flowing from ChatGPT to businesses every month.
The good news? There's a clear path to getting your Edmonton business visible in AI search results. Let's break it down.
The New Reality: AI Search Is Already Here
Traditional Google search sends you a list of blue links. You click, you browse, you decide. But AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and even Google's AI Overviews work differently—they generate answers directly.
Early research suggests the numbers are striking. Google's AI Mode shows roughly 95 out of 100 queries ending without any click to a website. For ChatGPT, between 78-99 queries out of 100 never send traffic anywhere. The AI just... answers.
But here's what matters: the traffic that does come through is incredibly valuable. ChatGPT sends approximately 12 million clicks per month to websites in Germany alone. These aren't casual browsers—they're high-intent users who've already been pre-qualified by the AI's recommendation.
For Edmonton businesses, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The question isn't whether AI search matters—it's whether you'll be part of the answer.
How AI Decides Who to Recommend
To understand how to get recommended, you need to understand how these systems think. And yes, they do "think"—just differently than humans.
The Reinforcement Learning Loop
When you ask ChatGPT for a recommendation, something fascinating happens behind the scenes. The AI doesn't just search a database—it learns from how users interact with its answers.
This diagram illustrates the feedback loop that determines which businesses AI engines favor. Here's how it works:
- User submits a query — "Best web developer in Edmonton"
- AI evaluates and generates results — Drawing from its training data and real-time search
- User interaction becomes the signal — This is where everything changes
If a user clicks through to a recommended business and stays—reading content, exploring pages, taking action—that's a positive reward signal. The AI learns: "This was a good recommendation."
But if the user bounces back immediately? Reformulates their query? That's a negative reward signal. The AI learns: "Don't recommend this next time."
Over millions of interactions, this creates a powerful feedback loop. AI engines favor sites that satisfy users. Not sites with the most keywords. Not sites with the biggest ad budgets. Sites that actually deliver what users are looking for.
What Satisfaction Actually Looks Like
This spectrum reveals what AI systems are actually measuring:
Negative Signals (What Gets You Demoted):
- Short click-backs — Users immediately return to the AI to try again
- Query reformulation — Users rephrase their question because your site didn't answer it
Positive Signals (What Gets You Promoted):
- Long dwell time — Users spend meaningful time engaging with your content
- Scrolling and engagement — Users explore multiple sections, interact with elements
- Sharing and bookmarking — Users save or recommend what they found
The implication is clear: your website's user experience directly impacts whether AI will recommend you. A confusing layout, slow load times, or content that doesn't match user intent will actively hurt your AI visibility—even if your SEO looks perfect.
Generative Engine Optimization: The New Playbook
This emerging discipline has a name: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). It's related to traditional SEO, but the rules are different.
What AI Actually Reads
AI systems don't see your website the way humans do. They parse structured data, extract text chunks, and evaluate authority signals. To optimize for them, you need to think like a machine.
Content formatting that AI prefers:
- Clear H1/H2 hierarchy — One primary heading, logical subheadings
- Lists and bullet points — Easy to extract and quote
- FAQ schema — Directly answerable questions
- Summaries at section tops — AI often pulls from first paragraphs
- Concise paragraphs — Long blocks get ignored; structured summaries get cited
Technical requirements:
- Schema markup (LocalBusiness, FAQ, Organization) — Tells AI exactly what you are
- Fast, accessible pages — Many AI crawlers struggle with heavy JavaScript
- Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) — Matching data across all platforms
Your External Presence Matters More
Here's something counterintuitive: what others say about you often matters more than what you say about yourself.
When ChatGPT needs to recommend an Edmonton business, it doesn't just check your website. It searches the broader web—and the sources it trusts most are:
- Editorial websites — Local news, industry publications, "Best of Edmonton" lists
- Reference platforms — Google Business Profile, Yelp, Crunchbase, G2
- Social platforms — LinkedIn, Reddit discussions, YouTube content
- Partnership directories — Industry associations, chamber of commerce listings
If you're well-represented across these sources with consistent, positive information, AI is far more likely to recommend you.
The Edmonton Business Checklist: Getting Into AI Answers
Based on current best practices and how AI systems work, here's what Edmonton businesses should prioritize:
1. Claim and Optimize Your Local Listings
Your Google Business Profile is table stakes—but it's not enough. Make sure you're also properly listed on:
- Yelp
- Bing Places
- Local Edmonton directories
- Industry-specific platforms (Houzz for contractors, G2 for software, etc.)
Critical: Your Name, Address, and Phone number must be exactly consistent across every listing. Slight variations confuse AI systems.
2. Implement Structured Data on Your Website
Add JSON-LD schema markup to your site:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "Your Street",
"addressLocality": "Edmonton",
"addressRegion": "AB",
"postalCode": "T5X 1A1"
}
}
This tells AI engines exactly what you are, where you are, and what you do—in a language they understand perfectly.
3. Create Content That Answers Questions
Think about what your ideal customer might ask ChatGPT:
- "What should I look for in an Edmonton [your service]?"
- "Best [your industry] companies in Edmonton"
- "How much does [your service] cost in Alberta?"
Create content that directly, comprehensively answers these questions. FAQ pages, detailed service descriptions, and educational blog posts all work well.
4. Build Your External Authority
Get mentioned on reputable external sources:
- Local business publications and blogs
- Industry "best of" lists
- Partner and vendor directories
- Customer reviews on third-party platforms
Each credible mention increases the likelihood that AI will trust you enough to recommend.
5. Optimize for User Satisfaction
Remember that reinforcement loop. Once AI does send someone your way, everything depends on their experience:
- Fast-loading pages
- Clear, scannable content
- Mobile-friendly design
- Easy-to-find contact information
- Content that actually matches what they were looking for
A visitor who stays, explores, and converts tells AI: "Keep recommending this business."
Why This Matters for Edmonton Specifically
Edmonton's business landscape is competitive, but the AI optimization space is still relatively uncrowded. Most local businesses haven't even started thinking about GEO—which means early movers have a significant advantage.
Consider: when someone asks ChatGPT for "AI automation agency in Edmonton" or "best web developer near me," the pool of optimized competitors is small. The businesses that establish strong GEO foundations now will dominate AI-generated recommendations for years.
This is especially true for:
- Professional services (agencies, consultants, legal, accounting)
- Local retail and restaurants
- Home services (contractors, renovations, cleaning)
- Health and wellness providers
- Tech companies and startups
How Agency7 Can Help
At Agency7.ca, we specialize in exactly this intersection: AI automation, web development, and digital optimization for Edmonton businesses.
What we bring to GEO:
AI Expertise — As an AI automation agency ourselves, we understand how these systems work from the inside. We don't just optimize for AI—we build with AI.
Technical Implementation — Schema markup, structured data, site performance optimization—we handle the technical foundations that AI engines require.
Website Development — From stunning landing pages to full CMS sites, we build web experiences designed for both human satisfaction and AI readability.
Ongoing SEO & Maintenance — GEO isn't a one-time fix. We provide continuous optimization to keep your business visible as AI systems evolve.
Custom Solutions — Every Edmonton business is different. We create tailored strategies based on your industry, competition, and goals.
Ready to Get Started?
We offer free consultations to assess your current AI visibility and create a roadmap for improvement. Book a 15-minute discovery call to discuss how we can help your Edmonton business get recommended by the AI engines your customers are already using.
The Bottom Line
AI search isn't replacing traditional search—it's adding a new, increasingly important channel. Edmonton businesses that optimize for both will capture customers others miss.
The reinforcement learning loop at the heart of AI recommendations means one thing: businesses that deliver genuine value get rewarded. Create content that answers real questions. Build websites that satisfy visitors. Maintain consistent, authoritative presence across the web.
Do these things well, and you won't just show up in ChatGPT's answers—you'll be the recommendation it keeps coming back to.
Agency7 is Edmonton's AI automation and web development agency. We help local businesses leverage AI technology to grow, automate, and thrive in the digital age. Learn more at agency7.ca