Key Findings
- 482 contractors analyzed across 4+ cities
- Average AI Trust Score: 23.2/100 (median: 22)
- Only 1% 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 North Carolina fall in the lower score ranges. This reflects a market where most businesses haven't optimized their online presence for AI discovery.
Score Distribution: North Carolina
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 North Carolina, indicating contractors in these markets are more likely to be found by AI assistants.
Top Cities by Avg Score: North Carolina
| City | Businesses | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 477 | 23 |
Hiring in North Carolina?
By Industry Vertical
Different contractor types show distinct patterns in AI visibility. HVAC lead with an average score of 0. General Contractors lag at 19.5.
| Vertical | Count | Avg Score | % Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Roofers | 16 | 21.3 | 0% |
| Landscapers | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| General Contractors | 4 | 19.5 | 0% |
Performance Gap
The gap between top performers and the rest tells a clear story: the top 10% of contractors in North Carolina score 67 on average, with 147 reviews. The bottom 50% average just 1.2 with 136 reviews. That's a 1.1x difference in reviews alone.
Methodology
This report analyzes 482 contractor business listings in North Carolina. 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.