15 Tips on How to Get Cited by AI Assistants Like Gemini or Perplexity in Minnesota
AI-driven search is here. Instead of sifting through endless Google links, people are turning to Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT for quick, authoritative answers. These tools do not cite every business. They highlight only the most credible, trustworthy sources.
So how do you get your Minnesota business cited? Let’s break it down.
What does it mean to be cited by AI assistants?
When Gemini or Perplexity answers a question, it often references a handful of sources. Being one of those cited sources means:
- Your content is trusted by the AI as authoritative.
- Users see your brand as part of the “answer.”
- Even if clicks are fewer than traditional SEO, conversions are often higher because AI citations build instant trust.
Why are citations so important for Minnesota businesses?
Local authority matters. If someone asks, “Who are the best marketing providers in Minnesota?” or “Where can I buy eco-friendly packaging in Minneapolis?” the AI will choose sources that clearly demonstrate expertise, trust, and regional relevance.
- Citations establish you as the local authority.
- They connect you to buyers in real time, at the moment of decision.
What signals do AI assistants look for?
AI tools rely on signals similar to Google but tuned for conversational context. Key signals include:
- Expertise and Transparency: Named authors, credentials, and review dates.
- Original Research: Proprietary surveys, case studies, or Minnesota-specific data.
- Structured Content: Schema markup, snippet-ready answers, clear H2/H3 headers.
- Cross-Web Presence: Mentions on Reddit, Quora, LinkedIn, and industry publications.
- Freshness: Updated timestamps, change logs, and current data.
How do you choose the right topics and keywords?
AI assistants prioritize entities and intent-driven queries:
- Informational: “How do I treat Emerald Ash Borer trees in Minnesota?”
- Transactional: “Window replacement company Minneapolis lifetime warranty.”
- Trust-building: “Minnesota home remodeling case study energy savings.
By clustering keywords around these intents and covering topics comprehensively, you increase your chance of being cited.
How should content be structured for AI visibility?
Think “easy for a machine to scan”:
- Use Q&A formats (like this blog) for chunkable answers.
- Provide short, direct summaries under each header.
- Add FAQ and How-To schema.
- Include a TL;DR section at the top or bottom of long articles.
- Embed videos, charts, and tools that reinforce your expertise.
What off-site actions build authority?
Being cited is not just about your website. AI assistants pull from across the web.
- Participate authentically on forums like Reddit and Quora.
- Post consistently on LinkedIn, tagging experts.
- Encourage structured reviews on platforms like G2 or Trustpilot.
- Publish in local Minnesota news outlets or industry blogs.
Do all AI assistants treat local businesses the same?
At Magnetic North, we are not just reporting what others are saying about AI search. We are running our own live tests on large language models (LLMs). What we have found is that different LLMs respond differently to the same prompt. For example, in one ongoing experiment, we noticed that ChatGPT often ignores location-specific prompts. When asked for “AEO services in Minnesota,” it mostly recommends national agencies rather than highlighting Minnesota-based providers. On the other hand, Google’s Gemini and AI Overview do honor location-based requests and surface companies that are actually based in Minnesota. What this means for your business is clear: not all LLMs will recommend you equally, and your AEO strategy must be adjusted to favor each platform differently if you want to grow visibility and rankings.
Can local expertise really make a difference?
Yes. AI values context. If a Minnesota business publishes a guide on “Energy-efficient windows for Minneapolis winters,” it is more likely to be cited in local queries than a generic national article.
What’s the first step to getting cited?
- Audit your current authority signals: author bios, schema, reviews.
- Research Minnesota-specific keyword clusters.
- Build content around unique data, case studies, and Q&A formatting.
- Engage off-site in forums, LinkedIn, and PR.
- Keep content fresh and updated.
Final Takeaway
Getting cited by AI assistants like Gemini or Perplexity is not just about SEO. It is about building Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust (E-E-A-T) everywhere your brand shows up online. The fact that you are looking into this opportunity now means you are ahead of the curve. So far, we’d estimate that only 40% of our clients are bringing AI search questions and interest into our conversations. Those who take advantage of this opportunity now will be ahead as this is the great equalizer for businesses.
Ready to Get Cited?
At Magnetic North, we are ahead of the marketing industry in AEO (AI Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). If you want your Minnesota business to be visible not just in Google but in the AI assistants people now trust most, let’s connect.
digital marketing strategist, team lead
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Megan Sternke
Megan is a Digital Marketing Strategist here at Magnetic North. In her time here she has explored her interests in campaign development & execution, graphic & web design, and social media marketing. One of her favorite parts of her job is fostering relationships with clients and finding new ways to bring value to her accounts.