Getting mentioned in Gemini: how Google’s AI recommends your business

You get mentioned in Gemini when Google has enough reliable, clear information about your business. Gemini is Google's AI assistant and, for many questions, uses the Google search index and other Google services such as Maps. A strong Google Business Profile, a website that is easy to find and positive reviews are therefore the foundation for being recommended in Gemini.

What is Gemini?

Gemini is both Google's language model and its AI assistant. You will find it as a standalone app and website, but also in Android phones, in Gmail and Google Docs and in other Google products. For many people, Gemini is simply the AI that is already there, without having to install anything.

Gemini is not the same as Google AI Overviews, the AI summaries at the top of the search results. They use similar technology, but it is a different product. Read more in Google AI Overviews and your business.

How does Gemini build an answer?

Like other AI assistants, Gemini combines two kinds of knowledge:

• Knowledge from training. Everything the model read during training. See what is an LLM.
• Current information from Google. For many questions, Gemini uses Google Search to find up-to-date pages. For local questions it can also use information from Google Maps, such as address, opening hours and ratings.

That last point is the big difference from other assistants. Gemini sits right in the middle of the Google ecosystem. So what Google knows about you, Gemini can use too.

The role of your Google Business Profile

For local businesses, the Google Business Profile is probably the most important source for Gemini. If someone asks "Which bakery in Den Bosch sells gluten-free bread?", there is a good chance Gemini will use information that also appears in Google Maps.

So make sure your profile is complete:

1. The right category. Choose the primary category that fits exactly, and add relevant secondary categories.
2. A clear description. Say what you do, for whom and where. Mention your specialisms.
3. Services and products. Fill them in with short descriptions.
4. Opening hours and contact details. Up to date, including bank holidays.
5. Photos. Of your premises, your team and your work.
6. Reviews. Ask happy customers for a review and respond to every review.

Read the full guide in Google Business Profile and AI visibility.

Your website and Google Search

Because Gemini often retrieves sources via Google Search, anything that makes your website easy to find on Google helps. Traditional SEO and GEO reinforce each other here. Pay attention to:

• Indexing. Check in Google Search Console that your key pages are in the index.
• Clear answers. Start each page with a paragraph that answers the main question directly.
• Structured data. With schema markup such as LocalBusiness you tell Google exactly who you are. See structured data: a LocalBusiness example.
• Google-Extended. With this setting in robots.txt you can indicate whether your content may be used to train Google's AI models. Blocking it does not remove you from Google Search. If you want to be visible in AI, think carefully before blocking anything. See allowing AI crawlers in robots.txt.

More tips for getting mentioned in Gemini

• Be consistent everywhere. The same business name, address and phone number on your website, your business profile and in directories.
• Earn mentions on other sites. Local media, trade directories and comparison articles help Gemini trust you. See mentions on other sites.
• Use YouTube if you make video. YouTube belongs to Google. A short explainer video with a clear title and description can be an extra source.
• Answer specific questions. A museum with a page about "visiting with children" or "wheelchair access" has a better chance of being mentioned for those questions.
• Keep your information up to date. Have your services, prices or address changed? Update them straight away on your website and in your business profile. Otherwise Gemini may keep showing old details.

Frequently asked questions

Is visibility in Gemini the same as in ChatGPT?
No. Gemini leans more on Google sources. ChatGPT uses a different search index and different sources. So you can score well in one model and not in the other. See also getting mentioned in ChatGPT.

Does a high Google ranking also help in Gemini?
Often it does, because Gemini retrieves sources via Google Search. But it is no guarantee. Gemini decides for itself which information it uses in the answer.

Do I have to pay to appear in Gemini?
No. You cannot buy your place in a regular Gemini answer.

How visible are you in Gemini?

Curious whether Gemini mentions you, and how that compares with ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude? The free AI check asks five customer questions to all four. With GEO tracking you follow your visibility per model every week.