Service pages invisible to AI even though we rank well in Google - what's the disconnect?

This disconnect is common. Here’s why it happens:

Traditional SEO for services:

• Optimize for keywords (“marketing agency”, “consulting services”)
• Build links and domain authority
• Create pages that convert visitors

AI search is different:

• AI synthesizes information, doesn’t rank pages
• AI answers questions directly
• AI needs extractable, citable content

The problem with typical service pages:

Your page probably says things like:

• “We deliver exceptional results”
• “Our team of experts…”
• “Industry-leading solutions…”

AI can’t cite this. It’s marketing, not information.

When someone asks AI “best marketing agency for SaaS startups” - AI looks for content that specifically answers that question with evidence.

Service schema is underutilized for AI visibility:

Implement Service schema:

{
  "@type": "Service",
  "name": "SaaS Marketing Strategy",
  "description": "Comprehensive marketing strategy for B2B SaaS companies targeting $1M-10M ARR growth",
  "provider": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Your Company"
  },
  "serviceType": "Marketing Consulting",
  "areaServed": "United States",
  "hasOfferCatalog": {
    "@type": "OfferCatalog",
    "itemListElement": [...]
  }
}

Add FAQ schema for common questions:

• “How much does [service] cost?”
• “How long does [service] take?”
• “What’s included in [service]?”

Include LocalBusiness if applicable:

• Service area
• Contact information
• Business hours

Schema makes your services machine-readable for AI systems.

The question-based structure makes sense. Our pages are definitely more marketing-focused than answer-focused.

Question: How specific should we be about pricing? We’ve always avoided putting prices on the site.

Pricing transparency is a competitive advantage for AI:

The AI problem with “Contact us for pricing”:

• AI can’t cite your pricing
• Competitors with transparent pricing get recommended
• You lose before the conversation starts

AI-friendly pricing approaches:

1. Provide ranges

   • “Marketing strategy engagements typically range from $5,000-$25,000/month depending on scope”

2. Starting points

   • “Website projects start at $10,000”
   • “Monthly retainers from $3,000”

3. Pricing factors

   • “Pricing depends on: team size, scope, timeline”
   • Explain what determines cost

4. Package examples

   • “Example: 3-month engagement for $15,000 includes…”
   • Real examples AI can cite

Why this helps AI:

When users ask “how much does [service] cost?” - AI can cite your range instead of guessing or skipping you.

78% of prospects research pricing before contacting. Meet them where they are.

Different AI platforms, different optimization needs:

Google AI Overviews:

• Strong correlation with traditional rankings
• Your top 5 position helps here
• But needs extractable content

ChatGPT:

• Training data focused
• Authority and third-party mentions matter
• Less real-time

Perplexity:

• Real-time search
• Cites sources directly
• Content quality and recency matter

Strategy:

• Track visibility across ALL platforms
• Some platforms may cite you more than others
• Optimize for each platform’s preferences

Use Am I Cited to monitor across platforms and identify gaps.

Service pages need supporting content to drive AI visibility:

Create supporting content:

1. Case studies with specifics

   • “[Client] achieved [result] in [timeframe]”
   • Quantifiable outcomes
   • Industry-specific examples

2. Process guides

   • “How we approach [service]”
   • “What to expect from [service]”
   • Step-by-step methodology

3. Comparison content

   • “[Your service] vs alternatives”
   • In-house vs agency comparison
   • DIY vs professional comparison

4. Industry-specific pages

   • “[Service] for [industry]”
   • Specific challenges and solutions
   • Industry case studies

This content answers specific AI queries while linking back to main service pages.

Here’s my action plan:

Service page restructuring:

1. Add question-based headings
2. Lead with specific answers
3. Include pricing ranges
4. Add detailed FAQ sections
5. Implement Service schema

Supporting content to create:

1. 5 detailed case studies with numbers
2. “What to expect” process pages
3. Industry-specific service variations
4. Comparison: agency vs in-house

Technical:

1. Implement Service and FAQ schema
2. Ensure AI crawlers can access pages
3. Add structured data for pricing info

Tracking:

1. Set up Am I Cited monitoring
2. Weekly AI query testing
3. Compare visibility across platforms

This is a significant content overhaul but clearly necessary.

Don’t forget authority signals for service businesses:

What builds service authority for AI:

1. Team expertise

   • Detailed team bios
   • Credentials and certifications
   • Published work and speaking

2. Third-party mentions

   • Industry publications
   • Awards and recognition
   • Client testimonials on third-party sites

3. Original content

   • Research and data
   • Thought leadership
   • Expert perspectives

4. Review presence

   • Clutch, G2, UpCity
   • Google Business reviews
   • Industry-specific directories

AI systems evaluate not just your claims but whether others validate them.

For local/regional service businesses:

Local SEO + AI visibility:

1. Optimize Google Business Profile

   • Complete all sections
   • Add services with descriptions
   • Encourage reviews

2. Local content

   • “[Service] in [City]” pages
   • Local case studies
   • Regional expertise signals

3. LocalBusiness schema

   • Service area
   • Contact details
   • Business hours

4. Local authority

   • Local directory listings
   • Community involvement
   • Local media mentions

When AI answers “best [service] near me” - local signals matter as much as content quality.