Key Findings
- 1,918 contractors analyzed across 50+ cities
- Average AI Trust Score: 21.5/100 (median: 22)
- Only 1.5% of contractors score above 70 (excellent visibility)
- 11% have structured data (JSON-LD), meaning 89% are invisible to AI assistants
- 100% have a website listed
Score Distribution
The majority of contractors in California fall in the lower score ranges. This reflects a market where most businesses haven't optimized their online presence for AI discovery.
Score Distribution: California
Web Presence & AI Readability
100%
Have a Website
11%
Have JSON-LD
Top Performing Cities
These cities have the highest average AI Trust Scores in California, indicating contractors in these markets are more likely to be found by AI assistants.
Top Cities by Avg Score: California
| City | Businesses | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|
| West Hills | 16 | 46.8 |
| Canoga Park | 17 | 45.4 |
| Granada Hills | 18 | 43.4 |
| La Jolla | 25 | 42 |
| Reseda | 14 | 41.6 |
| Chatsworth | 35 | 40 |
| Santa Clara | 5 | 40 |
| Northridge | 33 | 36.8 |
| Woodland Hills | 66 | 32.7 |
| Del Mar | 5 | 31.6 |
Hiring in California?
By Industry Vertical
Different contractor types show distinct patterns in AI visibility. Roofers lead with an average score of 31. Landscapers lag at 0.
| Vertical | Count | Avg Score | % Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers | 10 | 47.7 | 0% |
| Electricians | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| HVAC | 7 | 33 | 0% |
| Roofers | 163 | 31 | 5.5% |
| Painters | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Landscapers | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| General Contractors | 40 | 30.3 | 5% |
Performance Gap
The gap between top performers and the rest tells a clear story: the top 10% of contractors in California score 67.3 on average, with 38 reviews. The bottom 50% average just 1.2 with 19 reviews. That's a 2x difference in reviews alone.
Methodology
This report analyzes 1,918 contractor business listings in California. Each business is scored on three dimensions: Identity (business presence verification), Legitimacy (ratings, reviews, and credentials), and Readability (structured data for AI systems). Scores are capped at 100. Data is sourced from Google Maps and business websites, refreshed regularly.