How We Ranked in Google AI in 6 Hours

As part of our analysis, we examined how AI Overviews were displaying plumbing and HVAC results and what factors influenced which businesses appeared.

• AI Overview Coverage : We measured how often plumbing and HVAC searches in San Jose and nearby areas triggered AI Overviews.
• Competitor Analysis : We reviewed which local competitors were cited most frequently in AI-generated results.
• Service-Level Insights : We analyzed high-intent service keywords around repairs, replacements, and emergency needs, showing how visibility could be secured across multiple terms.
• Authority Patterns : We evaluated whether AI prioritized businesses with stronger reviews, certifications, or long-standing history.
• Visibility Shifts : We tracked how placements changed over time to identify growth opportunities and maintain consistency.

Our strategy focused on aligning content with how Google’s AI Overviews generate and cite results. By targeting question-driven queries, structuring content for AI readability, strengthening brand reputation, and embedding trust signals, we positioned the business to be recognized as a reliable source.

• Research Question-Centric Keyword : We optimized keywords in a Q&A format, since AI Overviews usually show answers written as direct responses to questions. To expand coverage, we also pulled insights from Google’s People Also Ask section, which provided additional related questions AI could cite. By comparing traditional organic results with the sources appearing in AI Overviews, we identified content gaps and rewrote answers to be sharper, more concise, and easier for AI to recognize and display.
• Content Structure for AI Readability : We structured pages in a way that both people and AI systems could easily understand. Content was written using natural language triples/tuples (Subject–Verb–Object), which makes it simpler for AI to extract accurate information. To avoid confusion, the writing was kept direct and concise, supported by a clear heading structure (H1, H2, H3) that highlighted the main topics and subtopics.
• Enhanced AI Reputation & Brand Authority : We strengthened brand signals beyond the website by earning citations in trusted directories that AI systems often use for comparisons, such as local business listings and industry platforms. To build conversational authority, we contributed to forums and community discussions like Reddit and Quora, where genuine insights help AI recognize relevance. Alongside this, we consistently monitored brand mentions across AI platforms to maintain accuracy, while high-quality backlinks from reputable domains reinforced overall authority.
• Establish Content Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) : Each service page was designed to demonstrate Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust (E-E-A-T). This included supporting content with facts, references, and evidence, while also highlighting author details such as certifications and years of expertise. To strengthen user-driven trust signals, we showcased customer testimonials and reviews, and emphasized service credibility with visible certifications. By keeping all information transparent, accurate, and verifiable, the content reflected the kind of reliable material that AI systems prioritize when selecting sources.