New AI Tool Helps Contractors Dominate Local Search

What Happened

Core6 Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Monterey Bay, has unveiled AI Search Sync™, a proprietary system designed to optimize contractors for AI-first search engines. This isn't just about Google anymore; it includes platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Apple’s Siri. The system integrates structured data, content strategy, reviews, and local SEO signals to help AI platforms correctly identify, trust, and recommend a contractor’s business when a user asks for a local service provider.

Phil Fisk, CEO and founder of Core6 Marketing, explained the shift in consumer behavior: "Homeowners aren’t Googling 'plumber near me' anymore. They’re asking their phones, 'Who’s the best plumber in Salinas?' And AI assistants are delivering one or two answers—not ten. If your business isn’t at the top of that list, you’re invisible."

Why It Matters

The rise of AI-assisted search is not a passing trend. Industry analysts predict that by 2026, over 50% of local service-related searches will be initiated through AI assistants—not traditional search engines. This shift means that contractors who ignore this change risk losing visibility, while those who adapt early will become the go-to choice in their market.

Fisk emphasized that this shift is the biggest change to local SEO since Google launched Maps. Small businesses have an advantage here because they can move faster than larger corporations.

Our Take

This is a significant development for local contractors. The shift from traditional search engines to AI-powered assistants represents a fundamental change in how consumers find and choose local services. For contractors, this means they need to adapt their digital strategies to ensure they are visible and recommended by these AI platforms.

One potential challenge is ensuring that AI platforms accurately understand and represent their services. Contractors will need to focus on maintaining great reviews, structured content, and content authority to build trust with these AI systems. However, this also presents an opportunity for contractors to differentiate themselves and become the top choice in their local markets.

Another consideration is the ethical implications of AI-driven recommendations. As AI becomes more influential in consumer decisions, there is a risk of bias or misrepresentation if the data fed into these systems is not accurate or comprehensive. Contractors and marketing agencies will need to ensure that their digital footprints are both robust and accurate to avoid being misrepresented by AI.

Implications

For local contractors, the launch of AI Search Sync™ represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in adapting to a new digital landscape where AI plays a central role in consumer decisions. The opportunity is to leverage this new tool to enhance visibility and become the top recommendation in their service areas.

For marketing agencies, this development highlights the need to stay ahead of technological trends and offer innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of their clients. As AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, agencies that can effectively navigate these changes will be well-positioned to succeed.

For consumers, this shift means more accurate and relevant recommendations for local services, making it easier to find trusted contractors quickly and efficiently.