Why ChatGPT Local Visibility Matters
You’ve heard it before: AI assistants are the new search engines. And yes, that includes ChatGPT. When someone asks “Where’s the best coffee shop near me?”, ChatGPT dishes out local recommendations.
If your business isn’t on that list, you’re invisible. No footfall. No clicks. No sales.
Tracking chatgpt local visibility isn’t just clever. It’s vital. You need data. Hard facts. That’s where visibility tracking comes in.
The Competitor: Local Falcon’s Approach
Local Falcon has a neat tool for tracking AI visibility. Their Local AI Visibility Tracking can scan:
- Google Business Profile.
- Apple Business Connect.
- ChatGPT results.
They map it all. Live. Geo-grids. Colour-coded heat maps. Share of AI Voice. Average Rank Position. It’s slick.
Their strengths:
- Visual clarity. Pin colours tell a story.
- Multiple data sources. Not just ChatGPT.
- Deep metrics: ARP, ATRP, SAIV.
But here’s the catch:
- Enterprise pricing. A steep monthly fee.
- Closed-source. No community-driven enhancements.
- Learning curve. Tech-heavy for non-specialists.
- Focus on agencies and big brands. Small businesses pay too much.
Why an Open-Source AI Tracker Is Better for SMEs
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) need tools that fit tight budgets and lean teams. You don’t have a dedicated analytics squad. You need simplicity. Transparency. No hidden fees.
Our AI Visibility Tracking for Small Businesses project ticks those boxes:
- Open-source. Peek under the hood. Suggest features. Contribute.
- Affordable. Free tier available. Pay-as-you-grow plans.
- User-friendly. Intuitive interface. No code needed.
- Community support. Share tips. Solve issues together.
It’s built for you. The coffee shop down the road. The boutique studio in the High Street. Solo founders. Lean teams.
Step-by-Step: Scanning Your ChatGPT Local Visibility
Ready to dive in? Here’s how you track chatgpt local visibility with our open-source tool.
1. Install the Tracker
Clone the repo. Run the installer. It’s as simple as:
git clone https://github.com/geo-vote/ai-visibility-tracker.git
cd ai-visibility-tracker
npm install
No heavy dependencies. No complex configs.
2. Add Your Business Location
Open the dashboard. Hit “Add Location”.
- Type your address.
- Or drop a pin on the map.
- Name it: “Downtown Café”, “Smith & Sons Plumbing”.
3. Select ChatGPT as Data Source
Go to Data Sources. Tick “ChatGPT”.
Easy.
4. Input Local-Intent Keywords
The magic words. Think how people ask ChatGPT:
- “Who’s the best pizza place in Camden Town?”
- “Where can I get a late-night locksmith in Brighton?”
- “Any dog-friendly pubs near the river?”
Use natural phrases. Context matters.
5. Configure Your Geo-Grid
Choose grid size:
- Small (5×5) for neighbourhoods.
- Medium (10×10) for towns.
- Large (15×15) for cities.
Set your radius: 1km to 20km.
6. Run the Scan
Hit “Start Scan”. The tracker queries ChatGPT across each grid point. Seconds later, you’ve got your report.
Reading Your ChatGPT Scan Report
Your report breaks down into three core parts:
-
Visibility Metrics
– Average Rank Position (ARP): Your sequence in responses where you’re mentioned.
– Average Total Rank Position (ATRP): Across all points, mentioned or not.
– Share of AI Voice (SAIV): How often AI lists you when giving local options. -
Geo-Grid Heat Map
– Green pins: You’re mentioned. Pin number = position.
– Red pins: AI gave local picks but skipped you.
– Grey symbols: No business suggestions. -
Competitor Insights & Sources
– List of all brands ChatGPT mentions.
– How many grid points they dominated.
– Source breakdown: review sites, forums, directories.
Use this data to spot gaps. For example, if ChatGPT often cites Yelp but never mentions your profile, it’s time for a Yelp update.
Boosting Your ChatGPT Local Visibility
Data alone doesn’t win customers. You need to act on it. Here are quick wins:
- Update your third-party listings. Yelp, TripAdvisor, local directories.
- Encourage reviews. More mentions = higher SAIV.
- Add conversational content on your site. FAQs that mimic ChatGPT queries.
- Use Maggie’s AutoBlog to auto-generate SEO-optimised, localised blog posts.
Example: A post titled “Top Vegan Cafés with Free Wi-Fi in West London” matches ChatGPT questions.
By pairing our tracker with Maggie’s AutoBlog, you get insights and content in one plug-and-play setup.
Comparing Costs & Flexibility
Local Falcon’s enterprise focus means you pay for unused features. Our open-source tracker offers:
- A free plan: 5 scans per month.
- Starter: £19/month for 25 scans.
- Growth: £49/month for unlimited scans.
Plus:
- Community plugins. Need Telegram alerts? Someone’s built it.
- Customisable dashboards. Change the metrics you care about.
- Transparent roadmap. Vote on features.
Real-world Example: Baker’s Delight
Let’s look at a local bakery in Manchester:
- Initial Scan: ARP 4.2, SAIV 15%. No mentions in northern grid cells.
- Action: Posted new reviews on Google Business Profile. Wrote blog posts via Maggie’s AutoBlog: “Best Morning Pastries Near Piccadilly”.
- Follow-up Scan: ARP 2.1, SAIV 45%. Green pins across the centre. Grey pins turned red – still gaps.
Lesson? Targeted content + directory updates = visibility boost.
Troubleshooting & Tips
- Slow scans? Reduce grid size. Or upgrade bandwidth.
- No mentions at all? Check your source listings. Directories first.
- Confusing metrics? Hit “Help” in our dashboard. Community forums can sort you.
Future-Proofing Your Strategy
AI search evolves fast. Today it’s ChatGPT. Tomorrow? Claude, Gemini, Bard. Our tracker roadmap already includes:
- Multi-platform scans. One click for all AI assistants.
- Trend reports. See month-on-month changes.
- API access. Integrate with your BI tools.
Stay nimble. Stay ahead.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Tracking chatgpt local visibility doesn’t have to break the bank or your brain. With an open-source, community-driven AI tracker and tools like Maggie’s AutoBlog, you get:
- Clear metrics.
- Actionable insights.
- Customised content generation.
Ready to leave competitors in the dust?