What to optimize
Start with accurate, readable service and location pages, relevant customer evidence, and clear contact information. Use structured data only when it matches visible facts.
The REAL Method is an editorial checklist for business facts, evidence, answers, and links. It is not a measurement of Copilot or a vendor-specific formula.
- Record the exact prompt, date, answer, mention decision, and source link if present.
- Review crawler access and business facts as possible website issues, not proven causes of one answer.
- Compare like-for-like prompts over time before reporting a visibility trend.
Fast response workflow
When a Copilot feature changes, check the provider's current documentation and repeat a small, dated query set. Update this guide only where the source or observed answers support a change.
Common questions
How does Microsoft Copilot pick local answers?
Copilot's answer and sources can vary by prompt and product context. Check website accessibility and public business facts, then record an actual answer and citation rather than assuming a fixed selection rule.
Do I need to be in Bing for Copilot to find me?
Bing presence is worth checking as a separate discovery signal. We cannot infer that Bing Places controls a particular Copilot answer without observing that answer and its sources.