AI search visibility for trades and home services

“Emergency plumber near me” is exactly the kind of question people now ask an AI assistant. Here’s how a trade business can give ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google’s AI features what they need to name you.

Last updated 15 October 2026 · Written by GPT Visibility

What customers ask

“Emergency plumber in Leeds tonight”
“Recommend a Gas Safe engineer for a boiler service in Bristol”
“Good electrician for an EV charger install near Reading”
“Reliable roofer for a flat roof repair in Croydon”

These questions combine a service, a place and often urgency or trust. AI assistants answer them by searching the web and reading the pages that come back, so your job is to make those three things easy to verify.

The checklist for trades

1. Let AI search crawlers in

Allow OAI-SearchBot, PerplexityBot and Googlebot, and check your website builder or host isn’t blocking them. Our free check tests this in seconds.

2. One page per main job, saying where you work

Boiler servicing, bathroom fitting, rewires, EV chargers – a short page each, with what’s included, typical price ranges or how you quote, response times, and the towns or postcodes you cover. Put your main area in your homepage title and heading.

3. Show your accreditations – and make them checkable

If you’re on the Gas Safe Register, a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, or TrustMark, say so in text and link to your listing. Independent registers are exactly the kind of corroborating source an assistant can check.

4. Get your profiles consistent

Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect and the trade directories you use (for example Checkatrade, TrustATrader, MyBuilder or Yell) should all show the same business name, phone number and service area.

5. Reviews that describe the job and the place

“Fixed our leaking combi the same evening in Headingley” helps far more than “great service”. Ask customers to mention what you did and where; never buy or script reviews – Google’s policies prohibit fake engagement.

6. Use the right schema

Schema.org has specific types for trades, such as Plumber, Electrician, HVACBusiness, RoofingContractor and Locksmith. Add your phone, address or service area and opening hours, matching what’s on the page.

7. Say if you do emergencies – and when

If you offer 24/7 or same-day call-outs, state the hours and areas clearly in text. Assistants can only repeat what they can read.

Get your free 5-prompt snapshot

We’ll ask ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini five questions your customers might ask, check whether AI crawlers can reach your site, and send you a short recorded walkthrough of what we found. No obligation, no card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can you guarantee AI assistants will recommend my business?

No. Nobody can guarantee placement in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini or Google’s AI features. We measure how often you’re named for customer-style questions, fix what’s in your control and re-test.

Do directories like Checkatrade matter for AI search?

They can. AI assistants often draw on independent sites that describe a business, and trade directories and review platforms are common examples. Keep your details there consistent with your website.

What schema should a plumber or electrician use?

Schema.org includes specific LocalBusiness types such as Plumber, Electrician, HVACBusiness and RoofingContractor. Use the most specific one that fits, with details matching your visible page.