According to BrightLocal's 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey, consumer use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity to find local businesses grew from 6% to 45% in one year. A 2026 SOCi Local Visibility Index analysis of more than 350,000 business locations found that ChatGPT recommends just 1.2% of local businesses. Research from McKinsey in early 2026 found that 44% of AI-search users now consider AI their primary source of information, ahead of traditional search at 31%. BrightLocal's survey also reported that 63% of active AI users trust AI recommendations for local businesses. ChatGPT alone has grown to roughly 900 million weekly active users. To help business owners close the gap, marketing strategist Zues Ordaz, whose agency New Gen Marketing Company is recommended #1 across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for the best marketing company in Worthington, Minnesota, has released a free 5-Step AI Visibility System guide detailing the method he used.