We all know ChatGPT uses Bing to fetch real-time web data, but what’s less known is that you can literally view the exact queries it runs, and which pages it considers relevant.
This lets you reverse-engineer your SEO to appear in ChatGPT’s responses, a critical move as more users rely on AI search instead of traditional Google search.
How to See What ChatGPT Actually Searches
Here’s the method I used:
- Open ChatGPT and enter a prompt that requires web browsing
(e.g., “Web3 startup accelerator with open intake?”) - Open Developer Tools in your browser (Inspect → Network tab)
- Run the query and look for ‘conversation’ or JSON-type network requests
- Filter by Fetch/XHR
- Now run your query
- A file will appear labeled conversation
- Click it and go to the Response tab where you’ll the JSON with how ChatGPT parsed and sourced your answer.
You’ll see:
The exact Bing queries ChatGPT sends, which is fundamental to understanding how LLMs actually search.. Review AI-powered SEO automation.
Parsed search results
Thought process notes like: reasoning, filters, and entity detection
This backend data is pure gold. You’re not guessing what SEO terms matter, you’re reading the playbook.
Real Case: Why this Web3 Accelerator Didn’t Rank
A friend working at Outlier Ventures asked why her startup didn’t appear when asking ChatGPT:
“I’m looking for a Web3 accelerator with open intake, any suggestions?”
When we investigated:
ChatGPT performed searches for:
“Web3 Startup Accelerator open Application Intake 2025”
“Web3 Accelerator Open Now intake now”
It filtered based on title and meta description
Outlier Ventures was not selected because it didn’t clearly state “open application” in its page title or snippet
Despite the site mentioning it, the title read something vague like “Post Web Application” instead of something obvious like:
“Web3 Accelerator Applications Now Open, Outlier Ventures”
This proves a key point, if your SEO title and meta don’t explicitly match user intent, you will be skipped, even by an LLM.
SEO Like It’s 2001, Title, Meta, and URL Still Rule
One of the most overlooked truths revealed by this trick:
ChatGPT and other LLMs do not read your whole site. They look at page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs.
So forget hoping ChatGPT reads your beautiful on-page paragraphs. What matters is:
Title tag: Must match user search phrasing
Meta description: Should be specific and action-focused
URL: Clear, readable, keyword-rich
Just like the early days of SEO.
ChatGPT’s Decision-Making: Transparent if You Ask
Want to know why ChatGPT didn’t recommend your page? Ask it. Literally type:
“Why didn’t you recommend Outlier Ventures in your previous answer?”
It will tell you it didn’t find “open intake” in your title or snippet. That’s your actionable feedback.
You can then update your SEO copy accordingly and monitor results.
LLM SEO in Action: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s your action plan for optimising content for ChatGPT and similar tools:
1. Use DevTools to See Queries
Use browser inspection tools to reveal the JSON response behind ChatGPT searches. That’s your blueprint.
2. Optimise Your Title and Snippet
Make sure they match actual user queries seen in the ChatGPT logs.
3. Speak in User Language
Use long-tail, conversational phrasing:
“Accelerators accepting applications now”
“Best Web3 startup programmes 2025”
4. Keep URLs Clean and Keyword-Friendly
E.g., /web3-accelerator-open-applications beats /apply-now-xyz123.
5. Update Regularly
Bing prioritises freshness. If ChatGPT is pulling stale results, it won’t recommend you.
Quick Reference Table
| SEO Element | What to Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Page Title | Match phrasing like “open intake” or “apply now” | Read first by LLMs |
| Meta Description | Spell out key details, dates, location, offer | Drives clicks & LLM context |
| URL | Keep short, relevant, keyword-aligned | Helps Bing index you properly |
| Page Content | Use FAQs, headings, conversational tone | Better interpreted by NLP models |
| Structured Data | Add Schema markup (e.g., JobPosting, Event) | Signals purpose of page to Bing + LLMs |
Final Thoughts, Your Competitive Edge
This isn’t guesswork, this is precision SEO.
If you want your site to appear in ChatGPT answers, you now know how:
Spy on the exact Bing searches it makes
Understand what it reads (title + meta)
Adapt your on-page SEO to match
This gives you a powerful edge in the age of AI marketing.
Need help? Book a Free Strategy call with me: https://calendly.com/victoria_olsina/45min. Implementing a comprehensive LLM visibility strategy is the next step.
