Listicle Link Building For ChatGPT (James Dooley Interviews Jabez Reuben)

James Dooley: Listicle link building for ranking in ChatGPT. There are many business owners now trying to get their brand or company listed and mentioned inside ChatGPT specifically. So, Jabez, why does listicle link building help get brands listed in ChatGPT? Jabez Reuben: When it comes to ChatGPT, when you publish a listicle, it connects directly to how large language models retrieve information. On the back end, when a query is entered, ChatGPT expands that query into multiple variations. That process is called query fan-out. Jabez Reuben: For example, it might search for best accounting firms in London, best accounting firms for small businesses, or best firms for enterprise. If your brand appears across multiple listicle articles such as five recommended firms, ten best providers, or niche-specific rankings, you increase your surface area. Jabez Reuben: Listicles work right now because they simplify information retrieval. Structured lists reduce ambiguity, so LLMs can extract and rank entities faster. That is why brands appearing in multiple listicles tend to get picked up more consistently. James Dooley: That is where it gets interesting. There is still debate around whether ChatGPT uses Bing, Google, or datasets like Common Crawl. Some people think it has its own internal search layer now. James Dooley: What matters is this. Different data sources produce different results because Bing and Google rankings are not the same. If a site ranks well in Bing, it can appear in ChatGPT outputs even if it is weak in Google. That gap creates opportunity. James Dooley: When you analyse the sources ChatGPT pulls from, listicles appear often because they provide clean comparisons. That clarity increases the chance of selection. James Dooley: So for anyone watching this, how important is it to get listed in ChatGPT? Jabez Reuben: It is critical, but one listicle will not move anything. That is the mistake most people make. You need volume because LLMs rely on consensus. Jabez Reuben: You need listicles, comparison content, review pages, and deal-breaker articles. These include topics like what to consider before buying, why a brand is safe, and what to avoid. Jabez Reuben: When your brand appears across multiple formats, you create consistency. Consistency drives inclusion because repeated mentions strengthen entity recognition. James Dooley: That makes sense. So what about competitors? Should businesses include competitors in their listicles? Jabez Reuben: Yes, and ignoring that is a mistake. If your brand is not placed alongside recognised competitors, LLMs will not classify you in the same category. Jabez Reuben: The process is simple. Start by placing your brand alongside established competitors in top ten lists. That builds association. Once that association is recognised, you can reposition your brand higher over time. Jabez Reuben: You should also create direct comparison articles. That reinforces relevance because it connects your brand with known entities. James Dooley: So for anyone looking to build links and improve visibility inside ChatGPT, listicles are one part of the strategy, not the whole thing. James Dooley: Jabez, what is the best way for people to reach out if they want help with this? Jabez Reuben: You can reach out through our agency website or contact me directly on LinkedIn. James Dooley: Jabez, it has been a pleasure. That is listicle link building for ranking in ChatGPT.