The way people search online is shifting fast. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and AI overviews are changing how customers find plumbers, landscapers, and electricians.
Instead of typing “plumber near me,” people are now asking full questions like, “Who’s the best plumber in Bowral for hot water repairs?”
If your business doesn’t appear in these AI-powered results, you could be invisible to customers who never even reach Google’s traditional listings.
What is AI Search?
AI search uses artificial intelligence to understand what people mean, not just what they type. Platforms like Google and ChatGPT pull answers from multiple websites and summarise the information.
For trade businesses, this means the old rule of stuffing keywords into your website is fading. AI wants clear, useful answers written in natural language.
Why It Matters for Tradies
When a potential customer uses AI to find a local service, they’re not scrolling through ten blue links. They’re reading one answer and that answer might mention your competitor.
AI search rewards:
- Trusted, easy-to-read content
- Real reviews and consistent business details
- Sites that answer real-world questions clearly
If your website includes FAQs, case studies, and content that shows local expertise, AI is more likely to feature your business.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Write for questions, not keywords
Think about what your customers actually ask: “How much does driveway paving cost?” or “Can I install outdoor lighting near a pool?”
- Add clear service pages
Use pages that cover one topic per page for example, “plumbing for renovations” or “retaining walls for sloped blocks.”
- Get your name in AI systems
Make sure your business is listed correctly on Google Business Profile, and get mentioned on local directories and review sites.
Ready to Get Found?
At Trade Up Digital, we help tradies like you show up on Google, get found in AI search, and turn clicks into real jobs.
👉 Ready to start booking bigger jobs?
What is AI search and how does it work?
AI search uses machine learning to understand intent and deliver direct answers instead of a list of links.
How can trade businesses appear in AI search results?
By creating clear, helpful content that answers real questions and maintaining strong local listings and reviews.
Is ChatGPT hard to use?
Yes, but it needs to evolve. AI SEO builds on traditional methods by focusing on natural language and real expertise.
Bachelor Science – Major: Computer Science. Melbourne University.
Diploma Nutrition. Australian College of Natural Therapies
JILLIAN BRANDON
About the Author
With over three decades of experience in technology, programming, and digital marketing, Jillian Brandon has built a reputation as a leader in the evolution of intelligent online systems. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science, her early career included roles with major organisations such as the Australian Stock Exchange, Merrill Lynch, Fujitsu, and Liquid Air in the UK. This global experience established her deep technical expertise and strategic understanding of how digital systems and data shape business performance.
As the founder of Manifest Website Design and its specialist divisions Trade Up Digital and Rank for Care, Jillian now applies her extensive knowledge to the fields of SEO, automation, and AI development. She specialises in creating high-performing digital systems that combine search optimisation and AI-driven automation to deliver measurable growth. Her work positions her at the forefront of Australia’s emerging AI business landscape, helping companies leverage technology to gain a competitive advantage.