Original studies and tactical resources on Google Maps, local SEO, AI search, reviews, and lead generation for home-service contractors.
Some resources report what we have measured across active contractor campaigns. Others explain how contractors can apply the underlying principles. Each item is labeled clearly so you know what you are reading.
Original research is work Homerankr measured, analyzed, or conducted. Field guides are educational and tactical. Checklists are concise diagnostic tools. Commentary is interpretation and analysis.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Studies, analyses, and campaign findings produced by Homerankr.
FIELD GUIDE
Practical explanations of how local SEO and AI search systems work.
CHECKLIST
Short diagnostic resources for finding visibility and conversion problems.
COMMENTARY
Homerankr’s interpretation of changes affecting contractors and local search.
RESEARCH LIBRARY
Data-led studies and campaign observations about how contractors are discovered, recommended, and contacted. Each study below is a separate dataset with its own scope.
The first study of ChatGPT contractor recommendation patterns across 6 trades and 20 US markets. What we found will change how you think about AI search.
July 2026 · 100 ChatGPT recommendations · 6 trades · 20 US markets
Homerankr tracked 12 contractors from zero AI visibility to their first ChatGPT citation. The fastest took 23 days. The slowest took 94.
August 2026 · 12 contractors tracked · 23–94 days to first citation
FIELD GUIDES & BLOG
Tactical explanations, checklists, and field notes for contractors who want to improve Google Maps visibility, AI search discovery, reviews, and lead response.
I want to understand AI search
Start with the 847-search Contractor AI Visibility Study — what we measured across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity.
Read the researchI need to improve Google Maps visibility
Start with how the local 3-pack actually works — GBP category, service area, review velocity, and grid-based rank tracking.
Read the guideI need more calls from existing demand
Start with missed-call text-back — why the 60-second response window separates booked jobs from lost revenue.
Read the guideShowing 16 of 16 resources
How Google Maps, AI Overviews, and ChatGPT recommendations combine into one compound lead generation system for contractors.
GBP category, service area, review velocity, and grid-based rank tracking explained for contractors.
The citation hierarchy, review signals, and content structure that get a local business recommended by AI.
The 7 most common reasons a GBP is invisible in the local 3-pack, with a quick audit checklist.
FAQPage schema, direct-answer content structure, and HowTo schema for AI Overview eligibility.
What makes a location page rank, and why templated city-name-swap pages fail.
Why the 60-second response window separates booked jobs from lost revenue.
How home service contractors rank on Google Maps, appear in AI Overviews, and get recommended by ChatGPT in 2026.
The response strategy that improves map pack ranking, builds trust with prospects, and recovers from negative reviews.
The honest comparison of Google Ads vs SEO for home service contractors. When to use each and the 12-month cost breakdown.
How to build, protect, and leverage your Google review presence to rank higher in Google Maps and improve close rates.
The 10 GBP settings that determine your map pack ranking and how to fix the most common contractor mistakes.
Homerankr’s interpretation of the 6 factors that control Google Maps ranking for contractors and the fastest way to improve each one.
The home service marketing tactics that produce inbound calls in 2026. What actually works and what wastes budget.