Construction and contracting businesses face increasing pressure to be discoverable online. Why? Because today’s clients expect instant answers. They want to be able to verify your credentials and research your capabilities long before reaching out. With SEO, AEO, and GEO changing the way everyone, from homeowners to project managers search, it’s critical to understand how your next big project could come from AI-driven results rather than traditional Google search.
Consider these statistics:
- Over 50% of Google searches now end without a click, with the search engine answering the question directly on the results page.
- AI-driven search could reduce traditional search traffic by 25% by 2026.
- Google AI Overviews appear in 16% of all U.S. searches, double the rate from just early this year.
Before changing your approach, let’s dig into what these acronyms mean, what’s really changing when it comes to search, and how your contracting business can stay visible to potential clients.
Understanding All the Shifts in Search
There are a lot of new acronyms in the industry. Let’s break down what they mean and how they impact your construction company. Keep in mind that as this new era of search continues to evolve, the language around it may evolve as well. At the time of this posting, these are the most widely used phrases.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
AEO focuses on structuring content to directly answer questions in search results or AI assistants. For example, a blog or FAQ on “How to choose the right siding for your home” could appear as a featured snippet or a voice assistant response, connecting potential clients with your company.
AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. They pull from multiple sources to give a quick, single answer. For contractors, this could mean users might search for “Best roofing contractor near me” and see a summarized answer featuring your company. All without ever visiting your website.
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
AEO focuses on structuring content to directly answer questions in search results or AI assistants. For example, a blog or FAQ on “How to choose the right siding for your home” could appear as a featured snippet or a voice assistant response, connecting potential clients with your company.
AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. They pull from multiple sources to give a quick, single answer. For contractors, this could mean users might search for “Best roofing contractor near me” and see a summarized answer featuring your company. All without ever visiting your website.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Why Search Changes Matter for Contractors
These search approaches help potential clients find your services faster. Being visible now ensures your business is part of the conversation when decisions are being made, from homeowners to business owners.
Tips to Keep Your Contracting Business Competitive in Search Today
Here’s how contractors can maintain top visibility across both traditional search and AI-driven search:
- Optimize your website: Ensure fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and clean code.
- Focus on keywords and user intent. Use phrases that actual clients search for when looking for a contractor, like “emergency plumbing repair,” or “custom deck installation.”
- Organize content clearly. FAQs, helpful headings, bulleted lists, checklists, and project galleries help AI extract your content.
- Create authoritative content. Blog posts and before-and-after case studies help build trust and credibility.
- Use schema markup. Highlight your certifications, services, service areas, and project types for AI and search engines.
Keep Your Clients in Focus
Ultimately, search is about being found by the right audience. While AEO and GEO are new concepts, traditional SEO principles remain essential. Quality content, technical optimization, and user-first design will help your company stand out today and as search evolves.
If you want expert guidance on how your company is performing in search today and how to align your content with search intent, the inConcert Web solutions team is ready to help.
