AI’s Business Recommendations: It’s About Data, Not Quality, According to Kobi Omenaka

In a recent LinkedIn post, Kobi Omenaka discusses a critical misunderstanding many businesses have about how Artificial Intelligence, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, makes recommendations. Omenaka argues that AI doesn’t evaluate the inherent quality of a business but rather its digital accessibility and the machine-readable facts associated with it.

The core of Omenaka’s argument is that AI prioritizes businesses it can easily process information about, rather than those that might offer superior services. “When someone asks ChatGPT for ‘the best plumber near me’, it isn’t judging the work, because it can’t see it,” Kobi Omenaka explains. This highlights a fundamental limitation: AI’s current inability to perform real-world assessments.

The Data Accessibility Imperative

Kobi Omenaka emphasizes that for a business to be recommended by AI, its factual information must be readily available and discoverable by the AI. This includes details like services offered, pricing, service areas, and, crucially, customer reviews. “Even your reviews only count if the machine can find them,” Omenaka points out, underscoring that visibility to the AI is paramount.

This digital visibility is directly contrasted with a competitor’s potential advantage. Omenaka writes, “Your competitor has those spelled out, so the machine talks about them. If yours aren’t, you’re invisible. Missing from the answer.” This suggests that businesses that are not actively managing their online factual presence risk being entirely overlooked by AI-driven search queries, regardless of their actual market standing or customer satisfaction.

The “Boring” Solution to AI Visibility

Addressing the problem, Omenaka describes the solution as straightforward, if unglamorous. The key is ensuring that all essential business facts are documented in a way that AI can easily access and parse. This involves a consistent and comprehensive approach to digital information management.

“The fix is boring. Just your facts down somewhere a machine can find them…”

Omenaka’s insights suggest a strategic shift for businesses: focus on making your data AI-friendly. This means ensuring websites are well-structured, online directories are accurate, and customer reviews are not only encouraged but also easily indexed by search algorithms. The underlying message is that in the age of AI, digital presence is not just about human perception but also about machine readability.

Navigating the Foundational Principles of AI Recommendations

Kobi Omenaka’s analysis serves as a practical guide for business owners who may be confused about why their AI-generated search results differ from their perceived market position. By framing AI recommendations as a function of data availability rather than qualitative judgment, Omenaka offers a clear path forward.

“Follow me, Kobi Omenaka, for Found by AI, the plain-English guide to how AI decides who to recommend.”

The author encourages engagement by asking readers if they have checked AI’s perception of their business, further emphasizing the importance of this topic. Omenaka’s work, detailed further on his Substack, aims to demystify how AI systems identify and rank businesses, providing actionable advice for those seeking to improve their visibility in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.