How to Get Your Contractor Business Recommended by ChatGPT

When someone asks ChatGPT for a contractor recommendation, you want to be the business that gets mentioned. Here's your step-by-step roadmap to AI optimization.

Step 1: Build a Strong Review Foundation

ChatGPT heavily weighs online reviews when making recommendations. Aim for:

50+ Google reviews with 4.7+ average rating
Active reviews from the past 3-6 months (recency matters)
Detailed reviews mentioning specific services
Responses to all reviews (shows engagement)

Step 2: Optimize Your Website Content

AI reads and understands your website content. Create pages that clearly explain:

What services you offer (be specific)
Your service areas (cities, neighborhoods)
Your expertise and specializations
Why customers choose you
Your licensing, insurance, and certifications

Pro tip: Write naturally for humans, not search engines. AI rewards helpful, informative content.

Step 3: Build Comprehensive Citations

Your business information (Name, Address, Phone) should be consistent across 50+ directories:

Google Business Profile
Yelp, Angi, HomeAdvisor, Thumbtack
Industry-specific directories (PHCC, ACCA, NECA)
Local chambers of commerce
Better Business Bureau

Step 4: Create Educational Content

Blog posts and guides help AI understand your expertise:

"How to Choose a [Your Trade] in [Your City]"
"Common [Service] Problems and Solutions"
"What to Expect During [Service Type]"
Local area guides and neighborhood tips

Step 5: Leverage Social Proof

AI looks for trust signals beyond just reviews:

Case studies with before/after results
Video testimonials from real customers
Awards and certifications
Years in business and completed jobs
Community involvement and sponsorships

Step 6: Monitor and Adapt

AI algorithms evolve rapidly. Test your visibility monthly by asking ChatGPT variations of:

"Best [your trade] in [your city]"
"Recommended [service] near me"
"Reliable [trade] for [specific job]"

Results You Can Expect

Contractors who fully optimize for AI Discovery typically see a 40-60% increase in qualified leads within 90 days. The key is consistency and comprehensiveness—AI rewards businesses that have strong signals across all areas.

Need Help?

AI Discovery optimization requires expertise across multiple areas—content, reputation management, citations, and technical SEO. Most contractors don't have time to do this themselves.

ContractorFlo.ai handles all of this for you. We'll optimize your entire online presence so ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI engines recommend your business consistently.