Your CPA firm in AI search and the details clients can check

How would a prospective client check that your CPA firm is real? Start with the name and address you publish, then compare them with your other public details. The qualifications you list should also match your records.

Put the key details in page text

Describe the work your firm currently offers and explain how to contact the office. If you accept enquiries by appointment, put that arrangement beside the contact information. Important details should appear as page text, even if you also provide a brochure image or PDF.

Google recommends readable text with photographs or other supporting material alongside it, plus an up-to-date Business Profile (AI features guidance). A photograph of your door can accompany written visitor instructions. During tax season, check longer hours against when clients can actually reach the office, including the public telephone number and the appointment instructions temporary staff follow.

Make sure Google can find and preview the page

Ask your website person to check the service page, homepage and contact page. Each must be in Google's search records and eligible to appear with a short preview. The website and hosting company should allow Google to read those pages. Its AI features use the normal search requirements, with no extra technical conditions (Google's requirements).

Give them the page addresses so they can check each one. You'll review the service wording while they check access. Google doesn't guarantee it will add or show a page, even after the work is complete. Special webpage labels are optional for its AI features; they describe the page for machines and should match what readers see.

Let ChatGPT's search reader in

For your website person, OAI-SearchBot is OpenAI's automatic website reader for search; robots.txt is the small website file telling automatic readers which pages they may enter. OpenAI recommends allowing its search reader.

Opting out excludes your site from ChatGPT search answers, although direct navigational links may remain. Permission for search works independently of permission to use material for training, so you can allow search while declining training access. Search settings take about 24 hours to adjust after the file changes. OpenAI's page makes no placement promise and doesn't explain how CPA firms are chosen; that setting update gives no forecast for new enquiries.

Keep your Google profile and website consistent

Google recommends complete, accurate business information. Use the real firm name and categories describing the work you offer, with accurate hours. Service descriptions belong in the service information. Compare your website with the Google profile and existing managed directory entries.

If you're moving, correct old suite details before directing clients to the new office. Remove descriptions of services you no longer offer. For appointment-only arrangements, read the visit instructions alongside published hours. Google's local guidance says it considers information across the web when assessing how well known a business is; it gives no percentage for how much a detail counts towards an AI citation.

Describe qualifications accurately

Check published qualification or licence information against your records. Each partner's description should agree with the firm overview and clearly identify the person or firm it describes, including the work offered.

WAC 4-30-054 prohibits false, misleading or deceptive advertising and solicitation. It also prohibits coercion, overreaching or harassing solicitation. Its scope includes CPA firms, nonlicensee owners and their employees, alongside the other people listed in the rule. If you're unsure how professional rules apply to qualification wording, ask the Washington State Board of Accountancy before publishing it.

Handle reviews and testimonials separately

A review must reflect a genuine experience. Google prohibits payments or incentives and selective requests for positive feedback, as well as pressure and requests for particular content (review policy). Clients should choose their rating and wording freely. Check any request template for offered benefits or suggested praise, and leave clients free to decline.

Republishing client praise needs a separate decision. Testimonials aren't specifically addressed in WAC 4-30-054. Ask the Board about your proposed wording and placement before publishing; client-confidentiality questions need a separate review. More reviews and positive ratings can help Google local ranking, but no review count guarantees an AI recommendation.

Check partner profiles against Google's rules

Google generally allows one profile per business and excludes virtual offices that fail its location requirements (business guidelines). Receiving mail alone doesn't qualify. If clients visit, check the address and suite details; for a firm travelling to clients, review the service-area rules before choosing which address to display.

Separate partner profiles need checking against the individual-practitioner requirements. Those require direct contact at the verified location during stated hours. The examples don't expressly name accountants, so check how the rules apply before adding a profile for a colleague.

Questions about AI recommendations

Can I pay to be recommended by AI?

No one can guarantee an AI recommendation. Google says better local ranking cannot be requested or purchased (local guidance). A website contract should describe the pages to check and changes you'll receive.

How long until changes show up?

OpenAI's approximate 24-hour period covers its search-access setting, not a recommendation date (website guidance). Google also leaves adding and showing pages unguaranteed. You can confirm your website edit while waiting to see whether the page appears.