For a long time, getting found online meant one thing: show up on Google. You’d focus on keywords, keep your website clean and quick, and cross your fingers that the search gods smiled on your business. But lately, something’s shifted. More people are skipping the search bar and going straight to apps like ChatGPT to ask for help.

And the numbers back it up. Search engine use is actually starting to decline, while AI tools are becoming the go-to for answers. (source: Business Insider)

If you’re a contractor, plumber, electrician, or any kind of local service provider, this shift matters. Because if the way people ask for services is changing, the way you show up needs to change too.

What’s AI SEO – and Why Should It Be on Your Radar?

AI SEO is a newer spin on an old goal: helping people find your business online. But instead of showing up on Google’s search page, you’re trying to appear in the responses people get when they ask chat apps or voice tools for advice. For example, “Who installs tankless water heaters near me?” or “Best electrician in [your city]?”

You might also hear it called GEO (short for Generative Engine Optimization) or AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). Don’t get hung up on the jargon. What matters is this: people are asking questions, and these platforms are answering by pulling from what’s out there on the web. If your information is clear and helpful, you stand a better chance of being part of the answer.

This isn’t a tech gimmick. It’s a new lane in the same game. If more people are asking smart tools for help, you want your name in that mix.

How Do These Chat Tools Actually Learn About Your Business?

Here’s the short version: they read the internet.

Not in real time like Google’s search bots, but they’ve been trained on a mountain of online content. Websites. Business listings. Articles. Reviews. FAQs. All of it. That information gets baked into how they respond to questions.

So if your website explains what you do, where you work, and answers the kinds of questions your customers are already asking, then you’re giving these systems something useful to work with.

Want to Show Up in Chat Results? Here’s What to Focus On

If you’ve already done basic SEO, you’re ahead of the game. But showing up in answers from ChatGPT or similar platforms means thinking a bit differently about how your site presents itself.

Ask yourself: If someone who’s never heard of me lands on my site, would they know what I do, where I work, and how to get in touch? If the answer isn’t a quick yes, you’ve got room to tighten things up.

Here’s how to get your site working harder for you:

Say what you do and where you do it.

Make it obvious. “Licensed electrician serving Mesa and Chandler” is a lot better than “Full-service contractor” buried halfway down the page.

Write like you talk.

Think about the questions your customers ask you. What’s it cost? Do you offer emergency service? How long does it take? Put those questions on your site. Then answer them like you would if someone asked you face to face.

Structure matters, too.

Using subheadings for those questions, and answering clearly right underneath, makes it easier for people and smart systems to pick up what you’re saying.

Help the tech help you.

There’s something called structured data (also known as schema markup) that lets you tag parts of your site (like your hours, reviews, services, and FAQs) so they’re easier for search engines and smart assistants to understand. You don’t need to be a coder. Free tools can generate it for you.

Be local, and say so.

Don’t just say “we serve the area.” Mention towns, zip codes, landmarks – anything that gives your content some local color.

Let your reputation speak up.

Reviews still count. These platforms are learning from what people write about you – on your site and across the web. Keep your feedback fresh and your tone real.

Don’t Outsmart the Algorithm — Just Let them Find You

Forget the tech lingo for a second. You don’t need to hack the system or chase every trend. You just need to show up like the pro you already are.

Think about it from your customer’s perspective: they’ve got a leaky pipe or a broken panel or a hot attic they can’t stand to be in, and they need help. Fast. Whether they ask a search engine, a voice assistant, or some chat app on their phone, the goal’s the same: get found, get trusted, get hired.

Your job is to make sure your website answers the right questions, speaks to the right location, and shows why you’re the one to call. Keep it honest. Keep it useful. Keep it human.

That’s what these smart systems are really looking for anyway.

Tech Tip FAQ: Do I Need to Use Schema Markup?

Q: Is writing out a list of questions and answers on my site good enough?

Absolutely. A plain FAQ section, written in clear language, is already helpful for your visitors and for chat-based platforms.

Q: So what’s the point of schema markup then?

Think of it like labeling your tools. Schema helps search and smart tech understand exactly what your content is. It’s not required, but it can boost your visibility and make your info easier to reference.

Q: Do I need a developer to set this up?

Nope. You can use free tools like the Solis Schema Markup Generator to create the code, and then copy it into your site. Test it with Google’s Rich Results tester to make sure it’s working.

Need a Hand?

You can absolutely take a crack at this yourself. There are free tools out there, and we’ve linked a few in this article. But free still costs time, and for most busy business owners, that’s in short supply.

If you’d rather skip the guesswork and get things done right, Local Splash is here to help. We specialize in making service businesses like yours stand out – whether someone is searching the old way or asking the latest AI assistant.

One more thing we’re doing across all our sites: a new file called llms.txt. It works alongside your robots.txt file, and it’s designed to guide how Language Learning Models (LLMs) interact with your content. It might seem like a small detail now, but it’s a forward-looking move that helps future-proof your site as these systems evolve.

Talk to Local Splash and let’s get your business in front of the people already looking for it.