What AI search recommended this week
31 August 2026 · Based on 78 recorded test runs · AI Visibility Index
AI search engines are already showing clear local preferences, and the names they repeat are not random. Across the recorded test runs, some businesses appeared in nearly every answer for the same query, while others surfaced only when the phrasing shifted slightly.
What the data shows
The strongest pattern in the dataset is concentration: a small set of businesses repeatedly dominates the answers for each local service query. For “dentist in Brisbane, Australia” across 13 test runs, four businesses were named in 100% of answers: North Brisbane Dental Clinic, Brisbane Dental, and Brisbane Dental and Denture Clinic; Dental Boutique Brisbane appeared in 85%, and SmileFresh Teeth Whitening Brisbane in 62%.
A near-identical topic but slightly different wording changes the mix. For “dentist in Brisbane, Australia?” across 13 test runs, Brisbane Dental was named in 100% of answers, Pure Dentistry in 77%, North Brisbane Dental Clinic in 54%, Brisbane Smiles in 38%, and St Lucia Dental in 31%. That contrast suggests that AI search results can be sensitive to small prompt changes even when the intent looks the same.
Sydney shows an even tighter top tier. For “dentist in Sydney, Australia?” across 13 test runs, Paramount Dental Sydney and Spa Dental Sydney CBD were each named in 100% of answers. Quay Dental Clinic appeared in 92%, while Pitt Street Dental Centre showed up in 62% and Pitt St Dental Centre in 38%.
The landscaping results are more distributed, but the leaders still stand out. For “landscaper in Austin, TX” across 13 test runs, Southern Love Landscaping & Design was named in 100% of answers, Anderson Landscape in 85%, Top Choice Lawn Care and Ground & Garden in 31% each, and Austin Pro Landscape in 23%.
When the query shifts to “landscaper in Austin, TX?”, the answer set reshuffles. Across 13 test runs, Ground & Garden, Top Choice Lawn Care, and Southern Love Landscaping & Design were each named in 77% of answers, Anderson Landscapes in 54%, and Austin Creative Landscaping in 46%. The exact business spelling also changes in the dataset, which is a reminder that AI answers may vary in how they surface and format local entities.
Denver is the most clustered landscaping market in this set. For “landscaper in Denver, CO” across 13 test runs, Mile High Landscaping, Designs by Sundown, and Designscapes Colorado were each named in 92% of answers. Little Foot Landscaping appeared in 62%, and The Fisherman LLC in 31%.
What this means if you’re a local business
If AI search engines are being used as a discovery layer, local businesses need to think like entities, not just websites. That means making sure the business name, address, phone number, service categories, and location signals are consistent across the web.
It also means crawler access matters. If a model or search system cannot reliably read your pages, structured data, or business profiles, you are less likely to be represented clearly in answer results.
Citable answers matter too. Pages that state services plainly, use unambiguous location references, and are easy to quote may be more likely to be surfaced in local recommendations. For multi-location brands, consistency across listings and site pages is especially important.
FAQ
Why do some businesses show up in every answer while others only appear sometimes?
The recorded runs suggest that AI search systems strongly prefer a small set of entities for each query. Small wording changes can also shift which businesses are surfaced.
Does this prove the AI is ranking the “best” local business?
No. The data only shows which businesses were named most often in the recorded test runs. It does not measure quality, conversion rate, or customer satisfaction.
All numbers above come from recorded test runs published in our open data index. Want your business tested? One-time diagnostic, no subscription.
Originally published at the AI Visibility Index.
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