How AI picks a plumber
For plumbers, best-of lists were the biggest share of what AI cited, more than in any other trade, and Thumbtack was the most cited site.
80 AI answers to questions about plumbers cited about five sites each. Best-of lists and rating sites were 35% of what they cited, the most of any trade, then directories and review sites (34%), plumbers' own websites (20%, the least of any trade) and publishers (9%).
The sites cited most
- Thumbtack, in 39% of answers.
- ConsumerAffairs, in 30%.
- Forbes, in 29%.
- Angi, in 25%.
- Google, through Maps and Business Profiles, in 25%.
What it means
For plumbers, getting onto the local lists AI reads is the biggest lever. National guides like ConsumerAffairs and Forbes mostly rank national brands; the city lists are where a local plumber can get in.
What to do first
- Search “best plumber in [your city]” and note every best-of list on the first two pages; ask each to consider you, with your reviews, license and response times.
- Claim your free Thumbtack and Angi profiles.
- Keep your Google profile complete and your reviews coming.
- Make your service pages answer what people ask: emergencies, water heaters, drains, and what affects the price.
Do this before the next lesson
- List the best-of pages for plumbers in your city.
- Send the short note from the best-of lists lesson to the three that come up first.
In Groow
Groow's Listicles page lists the best-of lists AI cites for your questions, who's on each, and drafts the note to each author.
Put this to work on your business
Groow checks how ChatGPT, Google and Google Maps see your business every week, tells you what to fix first, and drafts the work for your OK.