How we score & rank contractors

1. Verification

Every listing is matched to a real California CSLB license record. We read the license number, classification (C-39 roofing), status, bond, and workers' compensation directly from the state's public records and re-check them on a recurring schedule. A contractor can't appear here without a verifiable license.

2. The AEO score (0–100)

The AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) score measures how discoverable a contractor is to AI search. It combines six factors:

• Verification — active license, bond, workers' comp.
• Citation Presence — whether AI answer engines already cite them.
• Profile Completeness — how fully the listing is filled in.
• Service Coverage — specialties and services documented.
• Geographic Coverage — mapped location and service area.
• Content Authority — website, descriptive depth, retrieval-readiness.

Each contractor's score breaks down into these categories with specific strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations — visible on every listing.

3. AI citation tracking

We run real queries against AI answer engines and record whether a contractor is cited, and which competitors appear instead. This citation data feeds the score and powers each contractor's share-of-voice versus nearby competitors.

4. Ranking

Rankings are ordered by the AEO score — a blend of verification, citation signals, profile completeness, and retrieval readiness. Never paid placement. The same structured data we publish (schema.org RoofingContractor, license identifiers, specialties) is what AI answer engines read when they recommend a pro.

Data freshness

Listings are verified against CSLB records on a recurring cadence and re-scored continuously. Structured data carries a live dateModifiedso engines know it's current.