AI Keeps recommending my competitors from one source

I am trying different searches for local SEO companies near me. It's my understanding AI platforms like Chat GPT look for consensus, however it seems like Chat GPT references a single directory, Clutch. If you're a paying client for clutch and have a few reviews you're at the top and recommended by Chat GPT. As a small business I am competing with other local agencies who have 24+ reviews and I dont even have that many clients.

After having a few clients leave a review on clutch, they do not get accepted. So I feel as though I am at a loss.

How can one compete when others buy their top listing and maybe even their reviews, especially when the platform like clutch won't accept legitimate client reviews. Im almost wanting to make my own but I wouldn't even know how to get those either to stick.

Is there other strategies or options?

Any discussion I am open to.

that doesn't mean that Clutch is some hard ChatGPT ranking factor just because it keeps showing up in those searches. OpenAI says search uses multiple factors, so i'd also make sure your own site isn’t blocking OAI-SearchBot

maybe you can build the same proof elsewhere too - solid case studies on your site, your GBP, and a couple legit local/niche directories

Proxy_Soxy said:

that doesn't mean that Clutch is some hard ChatGPT ranking factor just because it keeps showing up in those searches. OpenAI says search uses multiple factors, so i'd also make sure your own site isn’t blocking OAI-SearchBot

maybe you can build the same proof elsewhere too - solid case studies on your site, your GBP, and a couple legit local/niche directories

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I absoltuely made sure I am not blocking OAI-Searchbot. I am also on other directories, however when I look at sources it show Clutch as the leading one and always mentions clutch. Some reviews are taken from others like GoodFirms and Pick an Agency. Both of those don't stick either, even from legitimate reviews from real clients. I see these others getting ahead and I turned over every stone that I know and I just can't seem to get it.

For Google the rumour is the freshness of the review, however even a business with 200 reviews and they aren't new still outperforms when everything else matches and is the same.

Clutch is what it found, not why it decided. Run "best local SEO company [your city]" through Bing and you'll see the pages it actually read, usually two or three directories and a couple of "top 10" posts. The fix is to be on those pages, whichever they are, not to fight Clutch. I got a client cited in about six weeks by getting them named on three of the list pages that already ranked and putting a plain comparison page on their own site that ranks for the same query. Mentions on pages that rank are the whole game there, the link itself is secondary.

Keells said:

Clutch is what it found, not why it decided. Run "best local SEO company [your city]" through Bing and you'll see the pages it actually read, usually two or three directories and a couple of "top 10" posts. The fix is to be on those pages, whichever they are, not to fight Clutch. I got a client cited in about six weeks by getting them named on three of the list pages that already ranked and putting a plain comparison page on their own site that ranks for the same query. Mentions on pages that rank are the whole game there, the link itself is secondary.

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I agree and have done that and I get the same directories I should be in. Goodfirms (client left review but not accepted), 10SEOS (likewise client left review but not accepted), Clutch (3 clients left reviews, only one accepted).

In no way were they incentivized, All I asked was for a review telling about the services used and the outcome, the rest is up to them. So I feel like I am at a crossroads where I want to add some of these myself or find a review service. Even Google is removing a heap load of reviews. The only thing that has helped was asking clients for a review from their mobile phone and a screenshot of their report page. I feel as though a little black hat and taking their reviews and some how getting them posted isn't all a bad idea for one or two. Else wise it's nearly imposible for a smaller person to compete. A larger businesses will almost always get more clients and thus more reviews.

I'm now going to have to learn what clutch is. I'm now engaging the AI group. keep posting so I can learn about what happens.

GNews said:

I'm now going to have to learn what clutch is. I'm now engaging the AI group. keep posting so I can learn about what happens.

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Clutch is a directory listing for tech companies. They hold a lot of weight for the past gew years. So if you're a web design or SEO, or AI optimization, tech etc. I would recommend being on there as a directory.