Key Findings
- 3,539 contractors analyzed across 50+ cities
- Average AI Trust Score: 36.4/100 (median: 37)
- Only 0.6% of contractors score above 70 (excellent visibility)
- 14% have structured data (JSON-LD), meaning 86% are invisible to AI assistants
- 100% have a website listed
Score Distribution
The majority of contractors in New York fall in the lower score ranges. This reflects a market where most businesses haven't optimized their online presence for AI discovery.
Score Distribution: New York
Web Presence & AI Readability
100%
Have a Website
14%
Have JSON-LD
Top Performing Cities
These cities have the highest average AI Trust Scores in New York, indicating contractors in these markets are more likely to be found by AI assistants.
Top Cities by Avg Score: New York
| City | Businesses | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ransomville | 5 | 51.2 |
| Astoria | 12 | 45.6 |
| Depew | 117 | 43.3 |
| Tonawanda | 99 | 42.7 |
| Clarence | 72 | 42.4 |
| West Seneca | 157 | 42.2 |
| Bronx | 50 | 41.9 |
| Williamsville | 119 | 41.8 |
| Amherst | 83 | 41.7 |
| Lancaster | 112 | 41.4 |
Hiring in New York?
By Industry Vertical
Different contractor types show distinct patterns in AI visibility. Plumbers lead with an average score of 41.5. HVAC-R lag at 32.
| Vertical | Count | Avg Score | % Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers | 166 | 41.5 | 4.8% |
| Electricians | 135 | 40.8 | 0% |
| HVAC | 172 | 39.8 | 0.6% |
| Roofers | 226 | 38.8 | 1.3% |
| Painters | 13 | 37.7 | 0% |
| Landscapers | 303 | 38.4 | 0.3% |
| General Contractors | 251 | 33.7 | 0% |
| Foundation | 76 | 40.8 | 0% |
| HVAC-R | 1 | 32 | 0% |
Performance Gap
The gap between top performers and the rest tells a clear story: the top 10% of contractors in New York score 66.8 on average, with 391 reviews. The bottom 50% average just 24.7 with 9 reviews. That's a 43.1x difference in reviews alone.
Methodology
This report analyzes 3,539 contractor business listings in New York. 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.