How to Check Your AI Search Visibility for Free
In short
GEO tools and “AI SEO checkers” are multiplying. Before paying for one, you can check most of what matters yourself with free tools and a simple prompt list.
Searches for “GEO SEO checker”, “AI SEO checker” and “generative engine optimization tools” are rising. Some paid tools are useful for tracking many prompts over time. But a small business can get a clear picture in an afternoon with free tools.
1. Can AI crawlers reach your site?
Open yoursite.com/robots.txt and check you're not blocking search crawlers you want (Googlebot, Bingbot, OAI-SearchBot). Also check your hosting or firewall doesn't block bots by default.
2. Are your pages indexed in Google and Bing?
In Google Search Console, the Page indexing report shows which pages are indexed and why others aren't. In Bing Webmaster Tools, submit your sitemap and check the same. Pages that aren't indexed can't be cited.
3. Run a prompt list once a month
Write ten questions customers really ask, and run them in ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google (AI Overviews / AI Mode). For example:
- “Best [your service] in [your city]”
- “How much does [your service] cost in [your city]?”
- “[Your business name] reviews”
- “[Problem your customers have] — who can fix it near [area]?”
4. Record what you see
For each prompt, note whether you're mentioned, whether you're linked, which competitors appear and which sources are cited. A simple spreadsheet is enough. Answers vary between runs, so look at patterns over months, not single results.
5. Fix from the sources outward
If competitors appear and you don't, look at the pages being cited: they usually answer the question directly, show prices or locations, and have reviews or proof. Improve the matching page on your site first, then your Business Profile and directory listings.
A simple monthly tracking sheet
Keep one row per prompt and one column per month. In each cell, note M (mentioned), L (linked), or — (absent), plus the top competitor and the main source cited. After three months you'll see whether changes to your pages moved anything, which is more than most paid dashboards tell a small business.
Pair it with Search Console: if a page you improved gains impressions for the matching queries, the same improvement usually shows up in AI answers a little later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are paid GEO tools worth it?
They help when you track many prompts across many locations over time. For a single small business, a monthly manual check is usually enough to start.
Why do AI answers change every time?
Generated answers vary by wording, location and timing. Track trends over several runs instead of single results.
What is the most common reason a business isn't cited?
No page that directly answers the question — or a page that isn't indexed.
Key Takeaways
- Check crawler access, then indexing in Google and Bing.
- Run the same ten customer prompts monthly and record results.
- Fix the page that should answer each prompt before buying tools.
Sources & further reading
- Robots.txt introduction and guide — Google Search Central
- Page indexing report — Search Console Help
- Bing Webmaster Tools — Microsoft Bing
- Overview of OpenAI crawlers — OpenAI
Keep reading
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