Google was once the only place an HVAC company had to exist online to generate dozens of weekly leads.
However, things have recently changed because more homeowners are using AI platforms like ChatGPT to find local HVAC companies.
At HVAC Plumber Marketing, we’ve seen this shift happen right before our eyes, so we will outline the top 5 AI platforms to rank your HVAC Business.
1) Google Gemini
Google Gemini is #1 because it integrates directly into Google search results, which still holds an 89% market share in the search engine market.
Optimizing for Gemini helps your business be shown directly in Gemini chats, within Google AI Overviews, and Google’s new AI mode, which more people use than Gemini as a standalone app.
Establishing credible business signals through schema markup, unique content, and local citations is the best way to appear in Google Gemini.
2) ChatGPT
ChatGPT is the most widely used AI platform on its own, though its associated search engine, Bing, is not as widely used as Google.
Still, users are flocking directly to ChatGPT to ask for HVAC company recommendations in their cities and towns and placing a great deal of trust in the answers.
ChatGPT responses are becoming as convincing as referrals from friends and family, which makes appearing in them crucial to digital marketing success.
3) Perplexity
Perplexity.ai merges AI with traditional search by presenting users with AI-generated answers based on website citations.
Although Gemini and ChatGPT also cite links, Perplexity makes their citations more prominent, so users are more likely to click through.
HVAC companies can optimize for Perplexity by signaling E-E-A-T through schema markup and customer review widgets on their business website.
4) Meta AI
Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, three platforms homeowners use daily.
Meta’s AI assistant is becoming more featured on each of these apps, and it tends to showcase businesses with demonstrated social proof, like reviews and location-specific content.
HVAC companies can increase their visibility on Meta AI by optimizing their Facebook and Instagram business profiles and engaging with followers, especially those in their local service area.
5) Claude
Claude is highly regarded within AI circles, even if homeowners are not flocking to it at the same rate as ChatGPT.
Still, it’s trending upward, and its responses are similar to those on ChatGPT and Gemini, which means it provides helpful responses about HVAC companies.
Claude seems to favor HVAC business websites with strong reputations (a Google Business Profile, reviews, citations, etc.) and content that sounds human rather than AI-generated.
Final Thoughts
Google rendered the yellow pages obsolete in the 2000s, and AI will ultimately do the same to traditional search engines at some point.
This shift should inspire all local HVAC businesses to optimize their websites and profiles for AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
The days of getting found online are far from over, but the platforms that drive these HVAC leads are evolving, and you must take notice.