skills/local-falcon/references/ai-platforms.md

# AI Platforms Deep Dive

Reference for interpreting local-business visibility across AI platforms. Product interfaces and source/provider behavior can change. Use actual report evidence rather than assuming a fixed architecture or provider hierarchy.

## Platform Comparison

| Platform | What to examine | Tracked by Local Falcon |
|----------|-----------------|-------------------------|
| Google AI Overviews | Business mentions, cited pages, and local results accompanying summaries | Yes |
| Google AI Mode | Mentions and citations across conversational searches | Yes |
| Google Gemini | Local recommendations and cited evidence when available | Yes |
| ChatGPT | Business mentions and sources cited in actual reports | Yes |
| Perplexity | Source-linked answers for optional educational comparison | No; awareness only |

## Google AI Overviews

### Appearance and Sources

Whether an AI Overview appears depends on query intent, location, and the search experience. Layouts can differ by device and change over time; do not assume a map is always embedded or always separate.

AI Overviews frequently cite third-party publishers as well as business websites. Organic rankings alone do not establish whether a source will be cited. Inspect actual report citations, identify the sources mentioning competitors, and compare the information those sources provide.

### Practical Analysis

- Keep GBP categories, hours, service information, and contact details accurate.
- Review recurring customer themes and respond constructively to feedback.
- Evaluate relevant third-party publishers, local media, directories, and industry resources based on actual citations and market relevance.
- Keep business identity and contact information consistent across relevant listings.
- Make local services and locations clear on the website; use appropriate structured data that reflects the visible content.

AI-generated result interfaces can reduce clicks to traditional organic listings. Assess mentions, qualified traffic, calls, and leads together rather than relying on rankings or click-through rate alone.

## Google AI Mode

AI Mode offers conversational search, while AI Overviews provide summaries within a search experience. Result formats, local maps, and available features vary; avoid universal claims that a particular layout always appears or that all other discovery paths disappear.

Query fan-out explores multiple related searches and sub-questions before assembling a response. This makes clear service descriptions, useful local information, and relevant third-party references useful areas to examine.

### Practical Analysis

- Compare mentions across related customer questions and locations.
- Inspect citations to identify which sources support the response.
- Review GBP accuracy alongside website content and competitor mentions.
- Write clear, useful explanations of services and common customer questions.
- Do not treat one favorable answer as proof of consistent visibility.

## Google Gemini

Gemini is Google's AI assistant, distinct from Google Search interfaces. Its local responses depend on the question and features available in the session. It may offer educational advice, local recommendations, or links to further information.

Compare actual mentions and cited evidence where available. Maintain accurate business information and useful service content, but do not assume that strong Maps rankings transfer directly to Gemini or promise inclusion in model training data.

## ChatGPT

Public recommendation sources and connected account access are different. Source/provider behavior can change. When Local Falcon report citations are available, inspect the actual sources present in the report rather than assuming a fixed provider hierarchy.

The Local Falcon integration can access an authorized Google Business Profile through its connected GBP tools. This does not establish which providers or sources a public recommendation uses.

### Sources to Consider in Context

| Source type | Practical consideration |
|-------------|-------------------------|
| Bing Places and Foursquare | Keep relevant business listings accurate where available |
| Yelp, BBB, and TripAdvisor | Review applicable profiles and customer feedback for the business's industry |
| Editorial lists and local media | Examine credible coverage and actual mentions of the business or competitors |
| Industry directories and authoritative third-party pages | Prioritize relevance, accuracy, and evidence from report citations |
| Business website | Clearly explain services, location, hours, and contact details |

This is a set of sources to investigate, not a ranked provider list. No listing guarantees a mention. Use competitor comparisons and repeated observations across relevant queries to decide what to improve.

## Perplexity (Awareness Only)

Local Falcon does not currently track Perplexity. This optional educational section illustrates how source-linked answers can be evaluated; do not offer Local Falcon scans or SAIV tracking for it.

When reviewing an answer, inspect the citations actually present. Check whether the source supports the claim, whether business details are current, and whether the cited material is relevant to the user's location and question. Do not assume a fixed set of preferred publishers or a minimum word count for inclusion.

## Cross-Platform Strategy

- Preserve the distinction between SoLV for map visibility and SAIV for AI mentions.
- Maintain accurate GBP and other relevant business profiles.
- Compare customer review themes and competitor strengths in the local market.
- Create useful, clear service and location information.
- Inspect actual report citations before recommending a particular publisher or directory.
- Compare equivalent keywords, locations, dates, and scan configurations when evaluating change.
- Use Local Falcon AI Visibility scans for the supported tracked platforms above; Perplexity remains educational awareness only.