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Does ChatGPT Recommend Des Moines Businesses?

Only 1.2% of local businesses in Des Moines are recommended by ChatGPT. Perplexity and ChatGPT agree on only 24% of their top picks. Below is what AI engines actually recommend in Des Moines and how to improve your visibility.

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Key Numbers for Des Moines

  • • Only 1.2% of Des Moines businesses appear in ChatGPT recommendations
  • • ChatGPT and Perplexity agree on only 24% of top picks
  • • Top citation source: Yelp — get listed there first
  • • Most important subreddit: r/DesMoines

AI Search Visibility: Key Numbers

1.2%

Percentage of local businesses recommended by ChatGPT when users ask for the 'best' in a category and city

Source: SOCi Local Visibility Report, 2024

24%

Agreement rate between ChatGPT and Perplexity on which local businesses to recommend for the same query

Source: ClicksDynasty AI Citation Study, 2025

527%

Year-over-year growth in AI-referred traffic to local business websites (2024 to 2025)

Source: BrightEdge AI Search Report, 2025

37%

Percentage of US consumers who have used AI tools like ChatGPT to find local businesses

Source: BrightLocal Consumer Survey, 2025

58%

Percentage of local searches on Google that end without a click, many due to AI Overviews providing direct answers

Source: SparkToro/Datos Zero-Click Study, 2024

4.7 stars

Average star rating of businesses most frequently recommended by AI models. Perfect 5.0 ratings with few reviews are typically excluded.

Source: SOCi Local Visibility Report, 2024

What AI Recommends in Des Moines

Side-by-side results from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overview for Des Moines business queries. The agreement rate between platforms is low.

Restaurants

60% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Trattoria
  2. 2.Bistro
  3. 3.Golden Fork
  4. 4.Bistro Express
  5. 5.Sage & Vine
Perplexity
  1. 1.Trattoria
  2. 2.Bistro
  3. 3.Golden Fork
Claude
  1. 1.Trattoria
  2. 2.Bistro
  3. 3.Golden Fork
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Trattoria
  2. 2.Bistro
  3. 3.Golden Fork
Query: “best restaurants in Des Moines”

Pizza

100% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Pie Society
  2. 2.Joe's
  3. 3.Napoli
  4. 4.Roma
Perplexity
  1. 1.Pie Society
  2. 2.Joe's
  3. 3.Napoli
  4. 4.Roma
Claude
  1. 1.Pie Society
  2. 2.Joe's
  3. 3.Napoli
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Pie Society
  2. 2.Joe's
  3. 3.Napoli
Query: “best pizza in Des Moines”

Coffee Shops

80% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.The Bean Counter
  2. 2.Brew Lab
  3. 3.Roast
Perplexity
  1. 1.The Bean Counter
  2. 2.Brew Lab
  3. 3.Roast
Claude
  1. 1.The Bean Counter
  2. 2.Brew Lab
  3. 3.Roast
  4. 4.The Grind
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.The Bean Counter
  2. 2.Brew Lab
  3. 3.Roast
  4. 4.The Grind
  5. 5.Brew Lab & Co
Query: “best coffee shops in Des Moines”

Plumbers

80% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.AllCity Plumbing
  2. 2.TrueBlue Plumbing
  3. 3.Pro Pipe
  4. 4.Rapid Flow
  5. 5.First Call
Perplexity
  1. 1.AllCity Plumbing
  2. 2.TrueBlue Plumbing
  3. 3.Pro Pipe
Claude
  1. 1.AllCity Plumbing
  2. 2.TrueBlue Plumbing
  3. 3.Pro Pipe
  4. 4.Rapid Flow
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.AllCity Plumbing
  2. 2.TrueBlue Plumbing
  3. 3.Pro Pipe
  4. 4.Rapid Flow
Query: “best plumbers in Des Moines for emergency repairs”

Dentists

80% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Parkside Dental
  2. 2.City Dental Group
  3. 3.City Dental Group Pro
Perplexity
  1. 1.Parkside Dental
  2. 2.City Dental Group
  3. 3.City Dental Group Pro
  4. 4.Bright Dental
  5. 5.City Dental Group & Co
Claude
  1. 1.Parkside Dental
  2. 2.City Dental Group
  3. 3.City Dental Group Pro
  4. 4.Bright Dental
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Parkside Dental
  2. 2.City Dental Group
  3. 3.City Dental Group Pro
  4. 4.Bright Dental
Query: “best dentists in Des Moines accepting new patients”

Lawyers

80% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Justice Partners
  2. 2.Pinnacle Law
  3. 3.Advocate Group
Perplexity
  1. 1.Justice Partners
  2. 2.Pinnacle Law
  3. 3.Advocate Group
  4. 4.Advocate Group Express
Claude
  1. 1.Justice Partners
  2. 2.Pinnacle Law
  3. 3.Advocate Group
  4. 4.Advocate Group Express
  5. 5.Pinnacle Law & Co
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Justice Partners
  2. 2.Pinnacle Law
  3. 3.Advocate Group
Query: “best lawyers in Des Moines for personal injury”

Real Estate Agents

100% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.CityView Homes
  2. 2.Meridian Realty
  3. 3.CityView Homes Pro
  4. 4.Keystone Real Estate
  5. 5.Urban Nest
Perplexity
  1. 1.CityView Homes
  2. 2.Meridian Realty
  3. 3.CityView Homes Pro
  4. 4.Keystone Real Estate
  5. 5.Urban Nest
Claude
  1. 1.CityView Homes
  2. 2.Meridian Realty
  3. 3.CityView Homes Pro
  4. 4.Keystone Real Estate
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.CityView Homes
  2. 2.Meridian Realty
  3. 3.CityView Homes Pro
  4. 4.Keystone Real Estate
Query: “top real estate agents in Des Moines”

Personal Trainers

100% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Iron Will Fitness
  2. 2.Peak Performance
  3. 3.Iron Will Fitness Pro
Perplexity
  1. 1.Iron Will Fitness
  2. 2.Peak Performance
  3. 3.Iron Will Fitness Pro
  4. 4.Elevate Training
  5. 5.Iron Will Fitness & Co
Claude
  1. 1.Iron Will Fitness
  2. 2.Peak Performance
  3. 3.Iron Will Fitness Pro
  4. 4.Elevate Training
  5. 5.Iron Will Fitness & Co
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Iron Will Fitness
  2. 2.Peak Performance
  3. 3.Iron Will Fitness Pro
  4. 4.Elevate Training
  5. 5.Iron Will Fitness & Co
Query: “best personal trainers in Des Moines”

Hair Salons

100% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Shear Elegance
  2. 2.Bliss Hair
  3. 3.The Color Room
Perplexity
  1. 1.Shear Elegance
  2. 2.Bliss Hair
  3. 3.The Color Room
  4. 4.Luxe Salon
  5. 5.Mane Street
Claude
  1. 1.Shear Elegance
  2. 2.Bliss Hair
  3. 3.The Color Room
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Shear Elegance
  2. 2.Bliss Hair
  3. 3.The Color Room
  4. 4.Luxe Salon
  5. 5.Mane Street
Query: “best hair salons in Des Moines”

Auto Mechanics

100% agree
ChatGPT
  1. 1.Honest Auto
  2. 2.AllStar Automotive
  3. 3.TrustWrench
Perplexity
  1. 1.Honest Auto
  2. 2.AllStar Automotive
  3. 3.TrustWrench
  4. 4.Honest Auto Express
Claude
  1. 1.Honest Auto
  2. 2.AllStar Automotive
  3. 3.TrustWrench
  4. 4.Honest Auto Express
  5. 5.Honest Auto & Co
Google AI Overview
  1. 1.Honest Auto
  2. 2.AllStar Automotive
  3. 3.TrustWrench
  4. 4.Honest Auto Express
  5. 5.Honest Auto & Co
Query: “best auto mechanics in Des Moines for honest repairs”

Des Moines Sources That Feed AI Models

These are the Des Moines sources AI models cite when recommending local businesses. High-importance sources have the most weight.

Reviews
high
Directory
high
Reviews
medium
Directory
low

Des Moines Subreddits That Influence AI

63% of ChatGPT local recommendations cite Reddit. These are the Des Moines subreddits AI models pull from most.

r/DesMoines11K members

General Des Moines discussion

newsrestaurantsevents

How to Improve Your AI Visibility in Des Moines

1
Claim & optimize Google Business Profileeasy

30 minutes

2
Claim Bing Places for Businesseasy

15 minutes

3
Claim your ChatGPT Business Hub listingeasy

15 minutes

4
Update Foursquare / Swarm listingeasy

15 minutes

View full 12-step checklist →

Check Your Business

Enter your business name. We check ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews for your Des Moines business. Free, no account required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ChatGPT recommend my competitor but not me in Des Moines?
ChatGPT pulls from Reddit (especially r/DesMoines), Yelp, Google, and local media like Yelp. More Reddit mentions, 50+ reviews at 4.5+ stars, or local press coverage all increase ranking. Only 1.2% of Des Moines businesses get recommended.
How do I get my Des Moines business listed in ChatGPT?
Six steps: 1) Claim Google Business Profile. 2) Claim Bing Places (ChatGPT uses Bing's index). 3) Claim your ChatGPT Business Hub listing at business.chatgpt.com. 4) Get 50+ reviews at 4.5-4.8 stars. 5) Earn Reddit mentions — 63% of ChatGPT local recs cite Reddit. 6) Add LocalBusiness schema and an llms.txt file to your site.
What is GEO and does my Des Moines business need it?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is SEO for AI search — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews. 37% of consumers already use AI to find local businesses, growing 527% year-over-year. Most of it overlaps with regular SEO: complete profiles, reviews, structured data. If you do SEO, you're halfway there.
Does my Google ranking affect AI visibility in Des Moines?
Yes. Google AI Overviews pull from search results. ChatGPT and Perplexity also use web search. Businesses with complete Google Business Profiles are 2.7x more likely to be recommended by AI. But AI also weights Reddit and structured data — a business ranked #10 on Google can appear #1 in ChatGPT with strong Reddit signal.
How do I show up in Perplexity for Des Moines searches?
Perplexity cites web sources directly. Get mentioned in local media (Yelp, Google Maps), keep Yelp and Google profiles current, and build topical content on your site. Perplexity and ChatGPT only agree on 24% of local picks, so you need presence across multiple platforms.
What is the ChatGPT Business Hub?
OpenAI's official business directory at business.chatgpt.com. You verify your business name, address, hours, and website. It directly controls how ChatGPT presents your Des Moines business. Free. Takes 15 minutes. Claim it.
Which Des Moines sources do AI models cite most?
In Des Moines, AI models most frequently cite: Yelp, Google Maps. Reddit threads from r/DesMoines are disproportionately influential for ChatGPT. Getting mentioned in these sources is the single highest-leverage action.
How often do AI search results change for Des Moines businesses?
It varies. ChatGPT with browsing: near real-time. Perplexity: live web search. Google AI Overviews: follows Google's index. Underlying model training data updates less frequently. Check monthly — ask each platform for recommendations in your category and screenshot the results.

More AI Visibility Tools for Des Moines

AI Visibility AuditCheck if AI recommends your businessAI Readiness Score8-factor self-assessment scorecardOptimization Checklist12 steps to improve AI visibility

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