Lately, I’ve been tinkering with ChatGPT’s new Agent Mode—partly for fun, partly because I’m trying to build an AI-powered DIY content tool for coworking operators. But along the way, I started thinking: how can AI search help people feel out coworking spaces, not just find them?

Let me explain.

AI Can Now Do the Searching for You

Agent Mode is ChatGPT’s new feature that acts on your behalf. You can ask it to go research something—like, say, to find you a pair of jeans in your size and style preference, plus a shirt to pair with them—and it will scour the web, compare options, and return with a list of recommendations.

Think of it like a hyper-intelligent assistant that handles the information overload for you.

You can literally give it a complex task, walk away and grab a coffee, and come back in ten minutes to a full on recap + results.

In fact, for our purposes, I'm building out prompt architecture for how you can use Agent Mode to publish content on WordPress, Hubspot, ActiveCampaign, Hootsuite, etc. so that, when mixed with strategy and prompt architecture for content creation, you can operate a sophisticated content marketing engine with less legwork.

This will all be a service we offer as a DIY option. More on that to come in a month or two.

I digress.

Anyhow, that's how I found myself in this experiment/mess in the first place, and it got me thinking:

People are already using ChatGPT for research, but this takes it up a notch. Now, you can ask it to get a sense of the vibe and community within a space—not just its pricing and specs.

With that in mind, I wanted to check out the methodology used by ChatGPT's Agent Mode to understand subjective insights as well as objective ones so that I could discern what we could do on behalf of our clients to make sure they're sending the right signals.

Why?

People aren’t just looking for a desk, chair, and walls when shopping for a coworking space. They’re looking for a place they want to spend time + be surrounded by people they like, can learn from, collaborate with, or grow alongside. That part matters just as much as the specs, location, amenities, and pricing—if not more.

So, the experiment began...

I fed Agent Mode a multifaceted prompt from the perspective of a creative professional (read: me) looking for a coworking space in New York. I live in Canada, but I wanted to test for a massive market. I really wanted to challenge Agent Mode by giving it a ton of options to sift through, mull over, and decide between. After all, it's easy to pick a top three when there are four options available. But when there are hundreds...? 

For anyone interested, here's the prompt I gave it... Skip to the TL;DR if you don't want to read all of this.

I run a distributed content marketing agency with contractors across North America, and I’m looking for a coworking space in New York City that suits me as the founder. I’m a creative professional, so I’m not looking for something overly corporate or sterile. I dress, act, and talk casually. I like to work comfortably. So, I want a space that feels like a mix between a studio, a cafe, and a clubhouse. Think relaxed but focused, with creative energy and enough personality to feel inspiring. Please research and recommend coworking spaces that match the following criteria:

Workspace Requirements:

• Lots of natural light (this is non-negotiable)
• Comfortable for full workdays (inviting design, quality furniture, well-ventilated)
• Private or semi-private options (e.g., dedicated desks, not just hot desking chaos)
• Strong, reliable Wi-Fi for video calls
• Phone booths or quiet areas for calls or podcasting
• Ability to host small client meetings (1–4 people) in a casual setting

Culture & Community

• Friendly, approachable, and casual atmosphere—not too corporate or startup bro-y
• Community of creatives, freelancers, or small studios (designers, writers, strategists, developers, etc.)
• I want to be surrounded by inspiring, aspirational people—the kind of members I could learn from, collaborate with, or even partner with down the line
• Look for signs of a growth-minded, curious community, where knowledge-sharing and creative conversations happen naturally
• Bonus if pet-friendly (I have two)
• Double bonus if it includes lifestyle perks (e.g., yoga, cold brew, plants)
• Signs of authentic engagement: events, workshops, visible member interaction
• Look for Member Spotlights, blog articles, or Instagram Stories that show community personality and highlight interesting member profiles Social Element
• I want to feel like I can talk to people easily—not be stuck in a silo or anonymous desk row
• Spaces that actively encourage low-pressure social interaction, like communal kitchens, casual events, member lunches, or interest-based Slack channels
• I’m looking for a place where conversations can spark ideas—whether over coffee or at an event
• Bonus if there are happy hours, hosted roundtables, or curated community-building experiences
• Look for evidence that the space attracts people who care about what they do, not just those looking for a desk

Location & Surroundings

• Located in a walkable, vibrant neighborhood
• Close to restaurants, cafes, breweries, parks, or other interesting local businesses
• Available or nearby parking (I don’t want to waste time hunting for a spot)

For Each Space, Please Provide:

• Name, address, and contact link (website + booking or email if available)
• Types of memberships or spaces offered + pricing (if public)
• Natural light situation
• General vibe and tone
• Who works there (types of members, industries, team sizes)
• Amenities and perks
• Neighborhood description
• Summary of whether it fits my creative, social, inspirational, and convenience-focused criteria

Final Output

Wrap up with your top 3 recommendations and categorize them:

• Best all-around fit
• Best for creative energy and vibe
• Best for inspiration, collaboration potential, and meaningful connection
• Best for convenience/location

Make sure your picks are based on a blend of practical fit, social energy, growth mindset, and brand personality.

TL;DR

I wasn’t interested in something sterile or overly corporate. I wanted a place with natural light, a casual vibe, space to focus, and—this is key—a sense of community.

I wanted somewhere I’d be surrounded by interesting, growth-minded people.

I asked for a blend of objective specs (like location, private offices, Wi-Fi) and subjective signals (like vibe, community, energy, neighborhood, and social proof).

What Agent Mode Did (and Why It Matters)

The results were surprisingly thoughtful. In about 10 minutes, ChatGPT's Agent Mode pulled top contenders like The Farm Soho, Neuehouse, and Camp David. But what fascinated me more was how it got there.

Agent Mode wasn’t just scanning coworking websites for features and pricing. It looked at:

• Member interviews and spotlights
• Blogs and articles about the community
• Reviews on third-party platforms
• Walkability scores and Google Street View
• Social media posts and tags and location pages
• Mailing list or newsletter sign-ups
• Member directories
• Real, recent photos and posts from the space or its members to get a sense of energy and design
• Virtual tours

In other words: it was searching for signs of culture. Vibe. Energy. The stuff that doesn’t always show up in a spec sheet but matters just as much—if not more—to someone deciding where to work.

The Implication for Coworking Spaces

We already know that people don’t just buy a desk, walls, and chairs—they buy into a community. Something that feels like it's for them and their business. But this experiment revealed something important for marketers:

AI tools like ChatGPT are now sophisticated enough to seek out and interpret those intangibles.

That means your online presence needs to go beyond the basics.

If your website just lists rates, square footage, and amenities, you might show up when someone searches for “private office $600/month.” But if someone’s looking for the right place to belong—a space that aligns with their personality, work style, or aspirations—they (and the AI tools helping them) will start looking for deeper signals.

Things like:

• Member spotlights that showcase your community’s diversity and vibe
• Event recaps
• Local round-ups + community features
• Places online where your space shows up that aren't owned by your
• High-quality photos
• Blog posts that reflect your space’s values and energy
• Social content that captures real moments, real people, and real collaboration (yours and the stuff you're tagged in)
• Features or mentions on other platforms (PR, directories, reviews) that add credibility

The more holistic your digital ecosystem, the more you’ll show up in future-forward search—and the more likely you are to resonate with the people who belong in your space.

So, what?

This isn't some major technological breakthrough. I'm sure tons of people have already been through this process. But this did give me some interesting perspective that might shape how we use content to help our clients get leads as technology continues to evolve.

And so, I thought I'd share it with you, in case it can help guide your approach.

This isn’t just about ranking on Google anymore. It’s about being understood—by both people and the AI tools helping them make decisions.

So, if you’re a coworking operator thinking about your content strategy, consider this your nudge:

Yes, keep your pricing and features clear. Keep your product pages dialed in. Focus on SEO and all those good things.

But don’t stop there.

Invest in content that tells the full story—of your space, your members, and the experience of being there—for the AI tools and the people using them.

Think about your blog, your off-page SEO, your social media channels, and beyond.

This was already important without AI search. But as people turn more toward AI for in-depth research, it's going to be vital that you send all the right signals. And that means having a well-rounded, multifaceted online ecosystem.

That’s the stuff AI will be pulling from. And more importantly, it’s what your future members are really looking for.

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