The other day, I was chatting with my 12-year-old cousin about something completely random we couldn’t remember the name of a snack we’d seen earlier.

Without missing a beat, he said, “Hang on, I’ll just ChatGPT it.”

Not Google it.

ChatGPT it.

That one moment stopped me in my tracks.

Because if kids are growing up with this as their go-to search tool, we’re officially in a new era and as business owners in Central Otago, we need to pay attention.

A shift in search behavior

Let me hit you with a few facts:

• As of July 2025, ChatGPT is the 5th most visited website in the world (data via Semrush).
• Over 45% of users are under the age of 25.
• OpenAI just launched a new feature that lets people shop directly inside ChatGPT.

That last one? That’s the game-changer.

This new feature means people aren’t just using ChatGPT for curiosity anymore, they're using it to make buying decisions.

And unlike Google, ChatGPT isn’t serving up links based on keywords or who paid the most for ad space.

It’s giving real, human-sounding recommendations, based on what people are genuinely saying online.

What that means for local businesses

Let’s say someone types: “What’s a good Central Otago olive oil for gifting?” or “Where should I stop for lunch on the way to Clyde?”

If your product or service is being talked about in a natural, positive way in blog reviews, on Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, or even The Central App, ChatGPT is more likely to recommend it.

If it hasn’t been talked about? You won’t even be in the running.

This is the future of SEO - Search Experience Optimisation.

How to get your product or service noticed

You don’t need a massive budget. You don’t need to rank #1 on Google anymore.

Here’s what you do need:

1. Get People Talking About You

Encourage your customers to leave thoughtful reviews.

Partner with a local creator to do a genuine, down-to-earth review.

Ask happy customers to share a short story on social media.

It’s not about flooding the internet, it's about real people saying real things.

2. Write Like a Human

Ditch the corporate jargon.

If you’re describing a gift box, don’t say “an artisanal assortment of regional fare.”

Say: “The kind of gift that makes someone say ‘Oh wow’ when they open it.”

Add FAQs that answer real questions people are asking.

3. Don’t Wait

This is a first-mover advantage moment.

The businesses that get mentioned online now, on websites, in reviews, on forums, are the ones ChatGPT will recommend tomorrow. And the algorithm will remember.

What not to do

• Don’t pour your entire budget into Google Ads and expect ChatGPT to notice.
• Don’t spam comment sections or create fake reviews. That backfires fast.
• Don’t try to game the system by cramming your content with positive buzzwords or repetitive phrases.

The bottom line

If you want to be the brand someone “ChatGPTs” for their next gift, lunch spot, or local recommendation, focus on being genuinely worth talking about.

That’s how you win in this new era, through trust, conversation, and community.

And here in Central Otago, we’ve got the goods. Now we just need to make sure the people (and the algorithms) hears about them.