Also known as: ChatGPT, OpenAI ChatGPT, GPT
ChatGPT is the conversational AI system OpenAI released in November 2022, built on the GPT model family (today GPT-4o, GPT-4.1 and specialised models). With more than a billion weekly users it triggered the mass adoption of AI-based information seeking, and with the launch of ChatGPT Search in October 2024 it established a web search engine of its own. For GEO, ChatGPT is one of the most important target engines: being cited there as a source pays off in reach and in brand authority alike.
ChatGPT Search does not return a list of results but an answer generated by the model, with linked sources in the margin or within the text. Its ranking logic differs fundamentally from Google's: what counts is not a position in the result list but the citation (a clickable source) and the mention (a reference without a link). Whoever supplies the answer as a cited source wins — being second or third is not "fewer clicks" here, it usually means "not mentioned at all".
OpenAI runs two separate crawlers. GPTBot crawls for the training of future models. OAI-SearchBot crawls for live search inside ChatGPT Search. Blocking GPTBot excludes you from training; blocking OAI-SearchBot makes you invisible in ChatGPT Search. For GEO visibility the recommendation is to allow both.
Example: A B2B SaaS provider builds a pillar page with a clear question-and-answer structure, complete Article schema with Wikidata sameAs for its tool category and three competitors, an FAQ section and a visible update date. After eight weeks the article is cited as the top source in ChatGPT Search for four of six prioritised queries — and after three months the direct referral traffic from ChatGPT exceeds the classic Google traffic to that same pillar page.
Citation tracking for ChatGPT in Rankmio
Free SEO & GEO Check
SEO score, AI visibility and citability of your website in 30 seconds — no registration required.
Register for free, get 10 credits and start right away.
Register now