Lately, many of our customers have been receiving emails that follow the same pattern. At first glance, they sound important or urgent. Here’s a short excerpt:
Hello,
My name is XXX. At XXXX, I work with companies in Germany.
In this role, we assess how accurately ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can determine—based on publicly
available content—what a company stands for and when its offerings are relevant
.
If you manage [NAME OF YOUR WEBSITE], you can the Open the exam here and the
View individual analysis sections:
[LINK TO ANALYSIS]
Thank you for taking a moment to review this.
Best regards,
NAME of the "Clerk"Code language: PHP (php)What do these emails say?
These emails almost always follow the same pattern:
First, there is a more or less personal greeting and the question of whether you are responsible for your domain or website.
Then comes the note saying that the website has already been “checked” and, of course, there are vulnerabilities.
Next up are lots of great new technical terms related to “AI,” and of course, we can’t leave out the big names like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
This is followed by a link to an analysis or review.
Why These Emails Are Sent
There is no government agency or auditing body behind these emails. It’s just good old-fashioned cold calling—usually unauthorized and without prior consent. A vendor wants to sell a service and uses a current topic to strike up a conversation.
That’s a reasonable business model. New technology can be unsettling, and that uncertainty opens doors. However, an unsolicited email with a verification link is not proof that something is wrong with your website.
What does the law say about this?
In Germany, the following applies: Sending advertising via email without your prior express consent constitutes an unreasonable nuisance. This is stated in Section 7 of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG).
So anyone who sends you unsolicited advertising is treading on thin legal ice. This is not legal advice. If in doubt, please consult a lawyer. For everyday situations, however, the key point is this: You are under no obligation to reply to such emails.
Here's How to Respond Properly
- Do not click on the link. You don't know what's behind it. There's no reason to find out.
- Ignore or delete the email. This will not put you at a disadvantage.
- Block Sender, if more emails come in.
- If in doubt, ask. If you're unsure whether an email is genuine or important, forward it to us. We'll take a quick look at it. It won't cost you anything—just a minute of your time.
Visibility in AI systems is real work, not a quick check
The bottom line: Whether ChatGPT and similar tools can find your business and categorize it correctly depends on the same factors as traditional Google search visibility. Clear content, a clean structure, and unambiguous answers to the questions: Who is the website intended for? And what is its purpose?
This is a craft that requires a long-term strategy. An automated “check” via mass email is no substitute for this work. We explain how visibility in AI search engines really works in a separate article: Visibility in AI Search Engines: Why It's the Same as Good SEO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing Emails Related to AI Visibility
Is this email legitimate or spam?
Unsolicited promotional emails containing verification links constitute cold solicitation, regardless of the sender. Without your prior consent, such email advertising is prohibited under § 7 of the German Unfair Competition Act (UWG). Reputable service providers operate differently.
Do I have to respond to an email like that?
No. You are not required to reply, and there are no negative consequences if you delete the email.
What happens when I click the link?
In the best-case scenario, you'll be taken to a sales page. In the worst-case scenario, you'll confirm that your email address is active and receive more emails like this in the future. Therefore, do not click on the link.
Do I need an AI visibility check for my website?
A one-time automated check isn’t very helpful. Visibility in AI systems comes from the same ongoing work as good search engine optimization: clear content, clear structure, and a clear target audience. This is a long-term strategy, not a quick test. Landing page teaser (first-person perspective)