How ChatGPT Uses Bing for Smarter Local Search—and What It Means for Your Business
Local search is changing fast—and if your business wants to stay visible online, you’ll want to understand how new AI tools like ChatGPT are playing a role. In a recent Search Engine Land article, we got an inside look at how ChatGPT is now conducting local searches using Bing’s real-time search results. It’s a big shift that could impact how your business shows up when someone asks about the best pizza in town, the closest tow truck, or where to get emergency well repair. Let’s break it down in simple terms—and talk about what you can do to benefit from this new development.
Wait, ChatGPT Can Do Local Search Now?
Yup! When someone types a local search query into ChatGPT (using GPT-4 with web browsing enabled), it now sends that query to Bing. ChatGPT then gathers 20 to 30 of the top results and crafts a natural-sounding answer based on the best information it finds. This means ChatGPT doesn’t just rely on its training data anymore—it’s using real-time data to answer questions like:
- “Best coffee shops in Elkhart, Indiana?”
- “Local trailer repair near me”
- “Top-rated IV therapy providers in Michiana”
And this isn’t just a flashy gimmick—it’s part of a major transformation in how people find local businesses online.
Why It Matters for Your Business
If you’re a business owner in Northern Indiana or anywhere else, you need to be thinking about more than just Google rankings. AI platforms like ChatGPT are becoming digital concierges—helping people find services, restaurants, repair shops, and more through conversational searches. That means your business could be recommended (or missed entirely) based on how well your online presence is optimized—not just for search engines, but for AI assistants pulling from them.
How ChatGPT Gathers Local Info
According to the Search Engine Land article, here’s how ChatGPT’s local search works:
- Receives a user’s question (like “best trailer upfitting shops near Goshen”).
- Sends the query to Bing, which performs a traditional web search.
- Collects the top 20–30 pages returned by Bing.
- Reads and summarizes those pages to craft a concise answer.
This approach means your business doesn’t need to rank #1 to get seen—you just need to be in the top results and have relevant, trustworthy content.
What You Can Do to Show Up in ChatGPT’s Local Results
So how can your business become part of the AI-driven future of local search? Here are a few easy but powerful tips:
1. Optimize Your Website for Local SEO
This is a no-brainer. Make sure your site clearly includes your location, services, contact details, and city names. If you need help making your website stand out, Next Level Pixels builds custom websites designed to convert visitors into leads.
2. Claim and Update Your Bing Places Listing
Most businesses focus only on Google Business Profiles, but Bing has its own version called Bing Places. Since ChatGPT uses Bing, this profile is critical. Make sure your business info is accurate, detailed, and includes high-quality photos.
3. Get Quality Mentions Across the Web
Because ChatGPT pulls from multiple sites, you want your business mentioned in local directories, review sites, and articles. These mentions act as credibility signals that can boost your visibility. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our SEO services to help you rank and be referenced in all the right places.
4. Run Local Ad Campaigns That Appear in Search Results
Paid ads can also appear in the search results ChatGPT uses. That’s why smart local businesses invest in digital advertising. Need help setting up ads that actually work? Let us handle your digital ad strategy.
5. Keep Your Info Consistent Everywhere
From your website to your social profiles to your Bing Places listing, everything should match. Mismatched details (like different phone numbers or hours) can hurt your credibility in AI search responses.
The Future Is Conversational—Are You Ready?
AI isn’t a trend—it’s the future of search, and it’s already here. People are getting used to asking ChatGPT for restaurant ideas, repair shops, service providers, and more. If your business isn’t part of that conversation, you’re missing out on potential customers.
But the good news? Getting visible is totally doable. You don’t have to be a marketing expert or tech wizard—you just need a partner who knows what to do. That’s where we come in.
At Next Level Pixels, we help small businesses like yours show up online, attract leads, and grow—without the stress. Whether you need a smarter website, an SEO refresh, or better digital ads, our team is here to help you stand out in a crowded digital world.
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Let’s Chat About Your Local Strategy
Have questions about ChatGPT, local search, or anything digital marketing related? Reach out to us—we’d love to help you figure out how to take advantage of these changes before your competitors do.
Because the businesses that adapt are the ones that thrive.