How do I connect BrightLocal Anywhere to ChatGPT?

Before you begin: Ensure you have your BrightLocal API key ready and that your BrightLocal account has BrightLocal Anywhere access enabled. If you don’t have an API key yet, contact BrightLocal support to obtain one.

To connect BrightLocal Anywhere to ChatGPT, you will require a Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education tier.

ChatGPT allows custom integrations via its Developer Mode (also referred to as the “Apps & Connectors” feature).

Follow these steps to connect BrightLocal:

Enable Developer Mode in ChatGPT

1. Log in to your ChatGPT account. Click on your profile icon and choose “Settings.” - In the Settings, go to “Connectors.”
    
2. Go to “Advanced Settings” and find the toggle for “Developer mode.” Switch it on. This enables the ability to add custom connectors. If you don’t see this, ensure you are a ChatGPT Plus subscriber and have the latest version of ChatGPT interface. Once enabled, you should see a new “Apps & Connectors” option in the sidebar or a confirmation that Developer Mode is active.

Add the BrightLocal connector

1. After enabling Developer Mode, navigate to “Apps & Connectors.” You should see an option to add or create a connector.
    
2. Click “Create”. You will be prompted to enter a URL.
    

3. Enter the BrightLocal Anywhere URL: https://mcp.brightlocal.com/mcp?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY.
   
   Contact support if you are unsure of your API key.
   See our developer documentation.
    
4. Give the connector a name, e.g. “BrightLocal”, so it’s easily identifiable.
    
5. Confirm to add it. ChatGPT will now try to connect to BrightLocal Anywhere.

Authorize BrightLocal access

1. If you’re not already, you’ll be prompted to log in to BrightLocal. Enter your BrightLocal credentials.
    
2. Click “Allow” to let ChatGPT access your data.
    
3. Once completed, ChatGPT will confirm that the BrightLocal connector is now connected.

Verify in ChatGPT

1. In ChatGPT’s interface, start a new chat.
    
2. Click the “+” and within the “More” section you should see BrightLocal listed as an available connector.
   
   
   
    
3. Select it. This tells ChatGPT that it can use the BrightLocal connector for this conversation.
    
4. Now test it by asking a simple question that requires BrightLocal data, e.g., “What’s my average star rating according to BrightLocal?” If everything is set up, ChatGPT will use the connector to fetch that info from your BrightLocal account and respond with an answer drawn from your data.

Usage in chat conversations

• When the BrightLocal connector is active in a chat, any question you ask that needs BrightLocal information will trigger the connector. You can combine it with ChatGPT’s normal capabilities.
   
• If you ever want to chat without using BrightLocal data, you can disable the connector for that chat.
  
  You can add the BrightLocal connector to multiple chats if needed, but you’ll have to enable it each time in a new chat.

Troubleshooting ChatGPT setup

• If the connector doesn’t appear in ChatGPT, try refreshing the page or toggling Developer Mode off and on.
   
• Ensure the URL and API key were entered correctly. A small typo can break the connection.
   
• If ChatGPT returns an error when querying, it might be because of an authentication issue – double-check that your API key is valid and that your BrightLocal plan supports the data you’re asking for.
   
• A ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education tier is required – free users don’t have this capability.