🌟 The New SEO Gold: Getting Other People to Talk About You

Why mentions from others are now the secret to showing up in AI search results

AI search is changing the rules for small business visibility.
It’s not just about optimizing your own website anymore — it’s about who else is talking about you.

Tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity don’t just scan your site; they analyze what other trusted websites and sources are saying about your business.

That means:

🗣️ The more your business is mentioned by others — in articles, community blogs, and directories — the more likely it is to show up in AI-generated search results.

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The New Digital Word-of-Mouth

Think of this like modern-day referrals — only online.
When your business is mentioned by local organizations, partners, or news outlets, AI sees that as proof that you’re real, relevant, and trustworthy.

If your name only appears on your own website or Facebook page, AI might not include you in its answers — even if you’re the best in town.

That’s why earned mentions (when others talk about you) are now the new SEO gold for local visibility.

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💬 “AI search rewards credibility — and credibility comes from other people mentioning your business, not just you promoting it.”

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What Counts as an “Earned Mention”

AI can “read” any public text — including transcribed podcasts, captions, and directories. Here’s what counts:

• Local news stories or press features

• Mentions on partner or vendor websites

• Chamber or community directory listings

• Customer reviews and testimonials

• Blog posts, podcasts, or Substack articles that reference your business

• Event listings or sponsorship pages

Every one of these adds to your business’s credibility footprint — helping AI connect your name with your service, city, and expertise.

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🧩 How to Get More Mentions (Even Without a PR Budget)

You don’t need to be famous — you just need to be findable.
Here are practical ways to earn third-party mentions starting today:

1️⃣ Join and Engage in Local Networks

• Submit your business to your Chamber of Commerce, BNI, or local business directories.

• Most chambers publish member lists online (and yes — Google reads them).

• If you attend an event, ask the host to tag or list your business name in their recap post or website.

2️⃣ Share Your Expertise Locally

• Write a short guest article for a neighborhood newsletter, Substack, or blog.

• Offer a “Top 5 Tips” piece related to your profession — editors love expert contributions.

• Don’t forget to include your name, title, and business link in your author bio.

3️⃣ Partner with Other Businesses

• Swap mentions with complementary businesses:

“We recommend [Your Business Name] for ___.”

• Add each other’s logos and backlinks on your websites.

• Cross-promote on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram — those posts count as mentions too.

4️⃣ Pitch a Local Story

• Did you celebrate a business anniversary? Hire staff? Sponsor a youth team?
  Write a short press release and email it to your local paper or community site.
  Include quotes, your website, and a clear reason it matters to your community.

5️⃣ Leverage Reviews and Testimonials

• Encourage customers to leave detailed reviews mentioning your service type + city name.

“Best massage in Salem!” performs better than “Loved it!”

• Reply to every review — AI reads responses too.

6️⃣ Be Visible on Video (and Caption It)

• Record short videos about your business and upload them with captions.

• AI tools can “read” captions — so if your business name and city are mentioned, that counts as a reference.

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💡 Pro Tip: Set a monthly goal to earn one new third-party mention.
Over a year, that’s 12 credibility signals that strengthen your business in both Google and AI search.

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🧭 Try This Week’s Action Step

Take 10 minutes today and Google your business name.
Do you only see your website and social profiles?

If so, choose one of these quick wins:

• Submit your business to your local Chamber directory

• Pitch a short “community highlight” to a neighborhood blog

• Or swap website mentions with one local partner business

Every new mention is a trust signal — and trust is the new currency in AI search.

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✉️ Stay Visible. Get Found.

If you found this helpful, you’ll love the weekly insights inside The Local Visibility Pulse Report — your plain-language guide to staying visible in an AI-driven world.

📬 Subscribe free or upgrade for full reports at:
👉 LocalVisibilityPulseReport.com

And for done-for-you visibility services, SEO campaigns, and automation tools that build your online authority, visit
💼 TheSmallBusinessGuru.com —
where small businesses learn to stay visible, get found, and grow.