November 2022: the month ChatGPT arrived and search started to shift
Covers November 2022. Part of our search timeline: a month-by-month look at the changes that shaped SEO, AI search, paid ads and social media, written in November 2026 for local businesses with the benefit of hindsight.
Quick answer: OpenAI made ChatGPT publicly available on 30 November 2022. Within a few weeks it was among the fastest-growing consumer apps the world had seen, and it reset what people expect from search: ask a full question, get a straight answer. That kicked off the AI search era, which today covers AI Overviews and AI Mode from Google.
At the time, few plumbers or builders gave it much thought. Looking back, it was the start of a change in how customers find and choose local businesses.
What launched in November 2022
ChatGPT went live as a free research preview, so anyone could hold a conversation with a large language model. People were quickly impressed by how fast it could write, explain and summarise, and it caught the public imagination.
Why it mattered for UK local businesses
It raised two questions that are still very much alive for trades and service businesses. First, how can AI tools save time in the business, for example drafting quotes, emails or website copy? Second, when a homeowner asks an AI assistant who to call for a new boiler or a roof repair, how do you make sure your business is the one it suggests?
What to do about it now
- Let AI tools speed up your research and first drafts, but always have someone who knows the trade check the facts.
- Publish clear, correct information about your services, areas covered and contact details that AI tools can pick up and quote.
- Begin checking how AI assistants describe your business and your local competitors.
Frequently asked questions
Has ChatGPT replaced Google?
No, though it has changed how plenty of people research. Google is still dominant, while AI assistants are a growing way for customers to discover businesses.
Can a local trade business show up in ChatGPT answers?
Yes. Clear website content, good reviews and being mentioned on reputable sites all raise the chances of an AI tool suggesting your business.
Sources and further reading
Want help with this? Our AI search and GEO service helps local businesses get recommended by tools like ChatGPT. Get in touch.
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