Perplexity Launches Business Profiles: Should You Claim Yours?

Perplexity just made its biggest move yet for local businesses. The AI search engine (which has blown past 100 million users) now offers business profiles that let you control how your company appears in AI search results.

If you remember the early days of Google Business Profile, this feels very familiar. And just like GBP, the businesses that claim their profiles early will have a significant advantage.

What Are Perplexity Business Profiles?

Perplexity Business Profiles are verified listings that allow businesses to provide structured information directly to Perplexity’s AI engine. Think of it as a Google Business Profile, but for AI search.

When a user asks Perplexity for a recommendation (like “best Italian restaurant near downtown Austin”), the AI now has access to verified business data instead of relying solely on web scraping and third-party sources.

Your profile can include:

• Business name, address, and contact information
• Service descriptions and specialties
• Hours of operation
• Photos and media
• Customer review highlights
• Direct links to your website and booking systems

This is significant because it gives you direct input into how an AI search engine represents your business. That is something Google Business Profile offers for Google Search, and now Perplexity is offering the same for AI search.

We covered Perplexity’s rapid growth in our post on the AI search engine you cannot ignore. Business profiles are the next logical step in their evolution.

Should You Claim Yours? (Short Answer: Yes)

Here is why this is a no-brainer:

It is free. Perplexity is not charging for business profiles (yet). There is zero financial risk.

Early movers win. In most markets, very few businesses have claimed their profiles. That means less competition and more visibility for those who act now.

You control the narrative. Without a business profile, Perplexity’s AI assembles information about your business from whatever sources it can find. Those sources might be outdated, inaccurate, or incomplete. A claimed profile lets you provide accurate, up-to-date information directly.

AI search is growing fast. As we covered in the AI search market share report, AI search platforms are capturing an increasing share of search queries. Being present on these platforms is becoming as important as being present on Google.

How to Claim Your Perplexity Business Profile

The process is straightforward:

1. Visit Perplexity’s business portal. Navigate to their business section and search for your business.
2. Verify ownership. Similar to Google, Perplexity requires verification. This typically involves a phone call, email, or postcard to your business address.
3. Complete your profile. Fill in every field. The more information you provide, the better the AI can represent your business.
4. Add media. Upload high-quality photos of your business, team, products, or completed work.
5. Link your website. Make sure the URL points to a well-optimized website with strong content.

Optimizing Your Profile for Maximum Visibility

Claiming your profile is step one. Optimizing it is where the real value comes in.

Write a detailed business description. Do not just say “We are a plumbing company.” Say “We are a full-service residential plumbing company serving Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park since 2012. We specialize in repiping, slab leak detection, and emergency plumbing repair.” The AI uses this description to match your business with relevant queries.

List every service you offer. Be specific. “Water heater installation” and “tankless water heater installation” are different queries. List them separately.

Highlight what makes you different. Years in business, certifications, awards, specialties. The AI uses these differentiators when comparing you to competitors.

Keep information consistent. Your Perplexity profile should match your website, Google Business Profile, and every other directory listing exactly. We have emphasized this consistency in our post on Google Business Profile optimization.

How Perplexity Profiles Fit Into Your GEO Strategy

Perplexity Business Profiles are a piece of your broader generative engine optimization strategy. They complement (not replace) your other optimization efforts.

Think of it this way:

• Your website is the foundation. It provides the deep, structured content that AI engines cite.
• Your Google Business Profile handles Google Search and Google AI Overviews.
• Your Perplexity Business Profile handles Perplexity’s AI search.
• Your content and reviews support all of the above across every platform.

The businesses that optimize across all four layers will have the strongest AI search visibility.

What About Other AI Platforms?

ChatGPT Search and Google Gemini do not currently offer business profiles. But given the success of Google Business Profile and now Perplexity’s move, it is likely only a matter of time.

We recommend monitoring announcements from OpenAI and Google for similar features. When they launch, early adoption will be just as important as it is with Perplexity.

The Bottom Line

Perplexity Business Profiles are a free, low-effort way to improve your visibility in AI search. If you have already invested in your website and Google Business Profile, claiming a Perplexity profile takes that investment further by extending your reach to a rapidly growing platform.

Do not wait until your competitors figure this out. The first-mover advantage in AI search is real and growing.

Want help building a comprehensive AI search presence across every platform? Talk to our team and we will get you set up on Perplexity and everywhere else your customers are searching.