45% of people now ask AI for local recommendations. Is your business on the list?

Here's a number that should make every local business owner sit up: according to BrightLocal's Local Consumer Review Survey 2026, 45% of consumers now use AI tools like ChatGPT to find local business recommendations. A year earlier it was 6%.

That makes generative AI the third most popular source of local business recommendations in the survey. The research was carried out with US consumers, but the same tools are used every day here in the UK, so it's a trend worth taking seriously in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch too.

Reviews still rule

The same survey found 97% of consumers read online reviews when choosing a local business, and 41% say they always do. That matters twice over: people read your reviews, and AI tools use what's said about you online to decide who to recommend.

Five things to do this month

1. Ask AI about yourself. Type "best [your service] in [your town]" into ChatGPT, Gemini and Google. Who comes up?
2. Finish your Google Business Profile. Services, photos, opening hours, the lot.
3. Make reviews a habit. Ask every happy customer. Reply to every review, good or bad.
4. Post useful local content. Tips, behind-the-scenes, local news. Give people something to share.
5. Get mentioned locally. Local press, business groups, partner websites and directories all count.

Want us to do the checking for you? Book a free AI visibility check and we'll show you exactly what AI says about your business.