Most business descriptions sound like they were written by the same person. Generic phrases like "quality service," "experienced team," and "customer satisfaction guaranteed" fill every bio, About page, and listing across the internet.
Here's the problem: AI doesn't quote generic content. When ChatGPT or Perplexity recommends a business, it pulls specific, distinctive information that helps someone understand what makes that business different.
Your business description isn't just text on a website anymore. It's the source material AI uses to explain why someone should choose you over the competition.
AI tools scan your business description for specific details it can confidently share with users. Vague statements don't make the cut because AI can't verify or explain them in a helpful way.
Instead of "We provide excellent customer service," AI prefers descriptions that explain how you actually work: "We send photo updates during every repair so you know exactly what we found and what we fixed."
The difference is specificity. AI can quote the second example because it describes a concrete process someone can expect.
Your actual process. How do you handle a typical customer from start to finish? If you're a dentist, do you always take X-rays before cleanings? If you're a contractor, do you provide written estimates within 24 hours? These process details give AI something concrete to share.
What you don't do. Sometimes the most helpful information is what you avoid. "We don't use high-pressure sales tactics" or "We never start work without written approval" tells potential customers what to expect. AI likes these statements because they answer common concerns.
Your specific expertise. Instead of "experienced team," explain what that experience covers. "We've installed solar panels on both historic homes and new construction" gives AI useful context to share with someone asking about solar installation challenges.
Your business description isn't just one thing—it's everywhere your business appears online. Each version should be consistent but adapted for its specific purpose.
Your Google Business Profile description has different character limits than your website About page. Your social media bios need different information than your directory listings. But the core message should be the same across all platforms.
AI pulls information from multiple sources when forming recommendations. If your Google profile says you specialize in commercial plumbing but your website focuses on residential service, AI gets confused about what to recommend you for.
Action words beat adjective words every time. "We arrive within our scheduled window" works better than "We're reliable." "We explain every charge before you pay" beats "We're transparent."
Industry-specific terms help AI understand your expertise, but only if you explain them. "We use hydro-jetting for severe blockages because it clears roots and buildup that snakes can't reach" teaches AI something it can share with users who need that specific solution.
Numbers and timeframes give AI concrete details to quote. "Same-day appointments available until 6 PM" is more useful than "flexible scheduling."
Marketing speak makes AI skip over your description entirely. Phrases like "premier provider," "cutting-edge solutions," and "unparalleled excellence" sound like every other business description AI has seen.
Long paragraphs of dense text also get ignored. AI prefers information it can easily parse and extract. Break up your description into clear, digestible chunks that each make one main point.
Claims you can't back up hurt your credibility with AI. "Lowest prices guaranteed" or "best service in town" are statements AI can't verify, so it won't repeat them.
You can test whether your business description works by asking AI about your industry right now. Search for "best [your service] near me" in ChatGPT or Perplexity and see what kind of information gets quoted.
Notice the specific details AI shares about the businesses it recommends. Those details came from somewhere—usually from well-written business descriptions that gave AI something concrete to work with.
If AI isn't quoting your business yet, look at what information it does share about your competitors. That shows you the type of content AI finds valuable enough to recommend.
Write your business description like you're explaining your service to a friend who's never used a business like yours before. What would they need to know to feel confident choosing you?
Focus on the questions customers ask most often. If people always want to know about pricing, address it. If they're concerned about timing, explain your scheduling process. If they worry about cleanup, describe how you handle it.
Your business description should sound like your business, not like every other business in your industry. The specific details that make you different are exactly what AI needs to recommend you with confidence.
AI quotes businesses that give it something worth quoting. Make your description that source of useful, specific information, and AI will have a reason to mention your business when someone asks.
Ai Is How People Find Businesses Now. We Make Sure They Find You.
Modern Humans helps local businesses get discovered by AI assistants like ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity.
Franklin, Tennessee
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