Right now, someone near you is asking ChatGPT who to call for a broken AC or a clogged drain. Until this week, you had no way to shape the answer.
That changed on November 10, 2026, when OpenAI launched Businesses in ChatGPT in beta. You can now claim a profile inside ChatGPT, prove it’s yours, fix your details, and see how often ChatGPT mentions you.
Think of it as a Google Business Profile for ChatGPT. And it’s free.
Most of the coverage so far focuses on online stores. This guide is for local service businesses: HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, salons, law firms, and anyone who wins jobs over the phone.
Below, you’ll see what you can do today, how to do it, and what nobody knows yet.
What OpenAI Launched
There are two pieces:
- Business Hub. This is where you claim your profile, update your info, fo and check your numbers. It’s open to eligible businesses wherever ChatGPT is available.
- Business Agents. These are AI assistants customers can chat with from your profile. For now, they’re limited to eligible U.S. online stores and online service businesses.
Both are free at launch. The only paid option is sponsoring your agent as a destination for ChatGPT Ads.
What This Means for Local Service Businesses
The short version: you can probably claim your profile, but the agent isn’t for you yet.
- You need a website. Claiming is only open to businesses that have one, at least for now.
- You need an existing listing. OpenAI says local businesses can currently claim only an existing U.S. listing. If ChatGPT doesn’t already have one for you, you may not be able to create it yet.
- Service-area businesses are a gray area. OpenAI hasn’t said how this works for companies without a storefront. That describes most plumbers, HVAC companies, and landscapers.
- No Business Agent yet. Agents aren’t open to local businesses, and OpenAI hasn’t shared a date.
- No ranking promise. OpenAI says ChatGPT may use the information you provide. It hasn’t said that claiming your profile changes how often you get mentioned or recommended.
So why bother? Two reasons.
First, you can fix wrong information ChatGPT has about you, like an old phone number or the wrong website.
Second, you get real data from OpenAI on how often ChatGPT mentions you, instead of guessing.
How to Claim Your Business on ChatGPT
- Open Business Hub. Sign in to ChatGPT and click Business Hub in the sidebar.
- Find your listing. Search for your business name and pick the listing that matches.
- Prove you’re connected to it. You’ll only see the options that apply to your business. These include a code sent by text or an automated call to the business phone number on the listing, a code sent to your business email, a TXT record added to your website’s DNS, or a Shopify login. For most local businesses, the phone option is the fastest.
- Wait for review. OpenAI reviews each claim and emails you its decision. It may ask for more information first.
- Verify your identity. Before you can edit anything, you’ll complete an identity check through Persona. Expect to need a government-issued ID. You may also need your business registration details and proof that you can represent the business. Your verified badge appears once this check is approved, not when the claim is.
- Update your profile. Review your details and fix anything wrong. Changes are reviewed, so they can take a while to show up.
One tip before you start: make sure your name, address, and phone number match everywhere. If your website, Google Business Profile, and directory listings disagree, clean that up first. OpenAI says these details should match your official records.
What You Can Edit
Once you’re verified, you can update key details like your website and business description. Online stores can also upload a product feed with current prices and stock.
Keep your expectations realistic. OpenAI says ChatGPT “may use” this information. That’s not a promise it will show it or recommend you more often.
What the Insights Show You
Business Hub shows your numbers in 7-day and 28-day views:
- Mentions: how often ChatGPT mentions your business.
- Website clicks: clicks from ChatGPT to your site. OpenAI’s own help text says these don’t confirm website visits or conversions.
- Discovery topics: common themes in the conversations where your business came up.
- Profile views: shown in OpenAI’s examples, but missing from the first live dashboards.
Numbers only appear once there’s enough activity. So a blank doesn’t necessarily mean zero.
You also can’t see individual questions or chats. OpenAI keeps those private.
Our advice: treat these numbers as a trend line, not a lead count. Compare them with the calls and form fills you actually get. And keep tracking chatgpt.com referrals in Google Analytics, so you have your own baseline.
What We Still Don't Know
- Whether claiming a profile leads to more recommendations.
- How service-area businesses without a storefront fit in.
- When Business Agents will open to local businesses.
- How much activity it takes before insights appear.
- When claims outside the U.S. will move faster. At least one was put on a waitlist on launch day.
Quick Checklist Before You Start
- Your website is live and shows your correct name, address, and phone number.
- You can access the phone, email inbox, or DNS settings tied to your listing.
- You have a government ID and your business registration details ready.
- Your Google Business Profile is claimed and up to date. ChatGPT is a new front door, not a replacement for Google.
Need a Hand?
Not sure if your business is eligible, or stuck on verification? Reach out to the team at ICONIER Digital Marketing Agency. We’ll check your eligibility with you and help you get through each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Business Hub and Business Agents are free at launch. Sponsoring an agent through ChatGPT Ads is the only paid option.
Yes, if you're eligible. You need a website, and local businesses can currently claim only an existing U.S. listing.
No. Shopify is one of four ways to verify. You can also use your business phone, business email, or a DNS record.
Not guaranteed. OpenAI says ChatGPT may use the information you provide, but it hasn't said that claiming changes how often you're mentioned.
No. You see totals and common topics, not individual questions or chats.
Not yet. For now, agents are limited to eligible U.S. online stores and online service businesses.
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Rishabh Sharma (Rish)
Founder, ICONIER Inc.
Over 11 years of experience in managing digital products with a specific focus on branding, lead generation, and delivering custom IT Solutions. Graduated from the University of London (U.K) in Business & Management. Rish saw the opportunity to improve and digitalize operations for small and large businesses by providing simple and innovative online solutions.
