Harford County AI Index, fall 2026
We asked ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Google 2,137 times who to hire in Bel Air, Aberdeen, Abingdon, Havre de Grace, Edgewood, Joppa, Fallston, Forest Hill, for 15 kinds of business. Measured October 1 to October 24, 2026. These are shares of many answers, not fixed ranks.
Five numbers
- 41% of the 1,213 businesses listed on Google Maps were never named in any answer.
- 33% of every mention went to just the top 3 businesses in each town and trade.
- 17 of 72 rankings where ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini all picked the same #1.
- 18% of the time, asking the same AI the same question again gave the exact same list.
- 68 vs 30 Google reviews: the typical named business against the typical one never named.
Trade by trade
| Trade | Towns | Businesses named per town | Share of mentions to the top 3 | Listed on Google Maps, never named | Median Google reviews, named vs never named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | 4 | 39.5 | 22% | 46 of 77 (60%) | 55.5 vs 24 |
| Personal Injury Lawyers | 4 | 34.3 | 32% | 36 of 66 (55%) | 71 vs 41.5 |
| Landscapers | 7 | 49.4 | 23% | 67 of 131 (51%) | 33 vs 24.5 |
| Garage Door Companies | 4 | 22.8 | 39% | 30 of 62 (48%) | 119.5 vs 39 |
| Car Detailers | 4 | 23.3 | 41% | 36 of 78 (46%) | 92 vs 28 |
| Plumbers | 6 | 35.3 | 27% | 40 of 94 (43%) | 173 vs 25.5 |
| Med Spas | 4 | 20.3 | 50% | 24 of 59 (41%) | 154 vs 108.5 |
| Roofers | 8 | 36 | 28% | 51 of 126 (41%) | 74 vs 50 |
| House Cleaners | 4 | 31 | 32% | 27 of 69 (39%) | 21 vs 12 |
| HVAC Companies | 7 | 34.4 | 30% | 49 of 135 (36%) | 77 vs 17.5 |
| Chiropractors | 4 | 18.3 | 54% | 15 of 43 (35%) | 70 vs 27 |
| Painters | 4 | 25.3 | 44% | 22 of 72 (31%) | 35 vs 22.5 |
| Hair Salons | 4 | 21.8 | 40% | 21 of 70 (30%) | 81 vs 79 |
| Dentists | 4 | 24.5 | 40% | 23 of 77 (30%) | 286 vs 88 |
| Pest Control | 4 | 24 | 32% | 14 of 54 (26%) | 97.5 vs 109 |
Town by town
| Town | Rankings | Answers | Never named | Share of mentions to the top 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bel Air | 15 | 447 | 94 of 267 (35%) | 34% |
| Aberdeen | 15 | 450 | 103 of 232 (44%) | 35% |
| Abingdon | 15 | 450 | 114 of 270 (42%) | 35% |
| Havre de Grace | 15 | 450 | 87 of 219 (40%) | 33% |
| Edgewood | 3 | 85 | 22 of 58 (38%) | 26% |
| Joppa | 3 | 90 | 28 of 60 (47%) | 32% |
| Fallston | 3 | 84 | 36 of 59 (61%) | 26% |
| Forest Hill | 3 | 81 | 17 of 48 (35%) | 25% |
Every ranking in the index
- Car Detailers in Bel Air: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 40% of mentions, most named Kleen Whips Auto Detailing (27 of 30 answers)
- Chiropractors in Bel Air: 6 of 16 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 46% of mentions, most named Premier Chiropractic (21 of 30 answers)
- Dentists in Bel Air: 2 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 29% of mentions, most named Laurel Bush Family Dentistry (12 of 30 answers)
- Electricians in Bel Air: 13 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 23% of mentions, most named Plugg Electric of Bel Air (20 of 30 answers)
- Garage Door Companies in Bel Air: 0 of 2 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 44% of mentions, most named Eastern Overhead Door (30 of 30 answers)
- Hair Salons in Bel Air: 4 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 38% of mentions, most named Paradigm Salon & Company (22 of 30 answers)
- House Cleaners in Bel Air: 5 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 29% of mentions, most named MaidPro (26 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Bel Air: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named Pure Air HVAC (25 of 27 answers)
- Landscapers in Bel Air: 8 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 24% of mentions, most named Harvest Outdoor Living (21 of 30 answers)
- Med Spas in Bel Air: 8 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 54% of mentions, most named Evolve Med Spa (30 of 30 answers)
- Painters in Bel Air: 6 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 45% of mentions, most named CertaPro Painters of Bel Air, MD (24 of 30 answers)
- Personal Injury Lawyers in Bel Air: 9 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 35% of mentions, most named Maronick Law LLC (24 of 30 answers)
- Pest Control in Bel Air: 3 of 16 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 26% of mentions, most named Brody Brothers Pest Control (18 of 30 answers)
- Plumbers in Bel Air: 8 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 30% of mentions, most named Victory Plumbing Services, LLC (22 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Bel Air: 8 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 31% of mentions, most named Premier Roofing LLC (27 of 30 answers)
- Car Detailers in Aberdeen: 11 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 46% of mentions, most named Hortons Detailing (24 of 30 answers)
- Chiropractors in Aberdeen: 0 of 4 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 65% of mentions, most named Optimal Spine Chiropractic (27 of 30 answers)
- Dentists in Aberdeen: 9 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 40% of mentions, most named Bay Area Dental of Aberdeen (20 of 30 answers)
- Electricians in Aberdeen: 10 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 24% of mentions, most named Benfield Electric Co Inc (27 of 30 answers)
- Garage Door Companies in Aberdeen: 11 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 42% of mentions, most named Precision Garage Door of Eastern Shore Maryland (27 of 30 answers)
- Hair Salons in Aberdeen: 8 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 46% of mentions, most named Odyssey Salon & Day Spa (24 of 30 answers)
- House Cleaners in Aberdeen: 13 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 33% of mentions, most named Tidy T's Cleaning Service (23 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Aberdeen: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 30% of mentions, most named R. Brooks Mechanical Inc. (20 of 30 answers)
- Landscapers in Aberdeen: 10 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 26% of mentions, most named G&D Construction and Landscaping LLC (21 of 30 answers)
- Med Spas in Aberdeen: 9 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named 1st CLAS Aesthetics (22 of 30 answers)
- Painters in Aberdeen: 2 of 12 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 43% of mentions, most named Painting Inc (27 of 30 answers)
- Personal Injury Lawyers in Aberdeen: 4 of 10 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers (19 of 30 answers)
- Pest Control in Aberdeen: 6 of 16 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named Brody Brothers Pest Control in Harford County (26 of 30 answers)
- Plumbers in Aberdeen: 0 of 3 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 27% of mentions, most named The Plumber Guys (21 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Aberdeen: 3 of 13 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 32% of mentions, most named Christian Roofing and Construction llc (23 of 30 answers)
- Car Detailers in Abingdon: 8 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 51% of mentions, most named Kleen Whips Auto Detailing (26 of 30 answers)
- Chiropractors in Abingdon: 9 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 41% of mentions, most named Robert S. Linsey, DC (22 of 30 answers)
- Dentists in Abingdon: 5 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 62% of mentions, most named Melissa L Nevid, DDS (26 of 30 answers)
- Electricians in Abingdon: 13 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 17% of mentions, most named Stella Electric LLC (12 of 30 answers)
- Garage Door Companies in Abingdon: 10 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 40% of mentions, most named Precision Garage Door of Eastern Shore Maryland (24 of 30 answers)
- Hair Salons in Abingdon: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 35% of mentions, most named Panache Hair Studio (26 of 30 answers)
- House Cleaners in Abingdon: 2 of 10 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 33% of mentions, most named Queen House Cleaning (26 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Abingdon: 8 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named Pure Air HVAC (22 of 30 answers)
- Landscapers in Abingdon: 6 of 17 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named S.K. Services (19 of 30 answers)
- Med Spas in Abingdon: 7 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 46% of mentions, most named Spa On The Boulevard (24 of 30 answers)
- Painters in Abingdon: 8 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 41% of mentions, most named Painting Inc (24 of 30 answers)
- Personal Injury Lawyers in Abingdon: 12 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 37% of mentions, most named Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC (18 of 30 answers)
- Pest Control in Abingdon: 3 of 17 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named Orkin (25 of 30 answers)
- Plumbers in Abingdon: 8 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 39% of mentions, most named PlumbCrazy (23 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Abingdon: 8 of 15 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 18% of mentions, most named Top Quality Remodeling & Restoration, LLC (12 of 30 answers)
- Car Detailers in Havre de Grace: 10 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 33% of mentions, most named EZ Clean Detailing (23 of 30 answers)
- Chiropractors in Havre de Grace: 0 of 4 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 66% of mentions, most named Havre de Grace Chiropractic: Drs. Campanella & Olivacz (23 of 30 answers)
- Dentists in Havre de Grace: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named Family Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry (24 of 30 answers)
- Electricians in Havre de Grace: 10 of 17 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 24% of mentions, most named Hampton Electrical Services (26 of 30 answers)
- Garage Door Companies in Havre de Grace: 9 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 31% of mentions, most named Precision Garage Door of Eastern Shore Maryland (20 of 30 answers)
- Hair Salons in Havre de Grace: 2 of 13 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 44% of mentions, most named Crazy Eights Hair Salon (22 of 30 answers)
- House Cleaners in Havre de Grace: 7 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 32% of mentions, most named Chesapeake Premier Cleaning (21 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Havre de Grace: 8 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 26% of mentions, most named Horizon Services (21 of 30 answers)
- Landscapers in Havre de Grace: 7 of 15 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 19% of mentions, most named Exterior Impressions Design & Build (17 of 30 answers)
- Med Spas in Havre de Grace: 0 of 5 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 64% of mentions, most named Elan Premier Aesthetics (27 of 30 answers)
- Painters in Havre de Grace: 6 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 48% of mentions, most named Painting Inc (22 of 30 answers)
- Personal Injury Lawyers in Havre de Grace: 11 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 30% of mentions, most named Githuku Law (18 of 30 answers)
- Pest Control in Havre de Grace: 2 of 5 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 36% of mentions, most named Brody Brothers Pest Control (27 of 30 answers)
- Plumbers in Havre de Grace: 3 of 14 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 20% of mentions, most named Hometown Plumbing Services Inc (14 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Havre de Grace: 5 of 10 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 37% of mentions, most named Harford Roofing & Exteriors (25 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Edgewood: 8 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named HGH Mechanical (24 of 27 answers)
- Plumbers in Edgewood: 9 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 24% of mentions, most named PlumbCrazy (20 of 28 answers)
- Roofers in Edgewood: 5 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 26% of mentions, most named Angelo and Son Roofing (23 of 30 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Joppa: 7 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 33% of mentions, most named Gunpowder Mechanical Services LLC (27 of 30 answers)
- Landscapers in Joppa: 10 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named Goode and Lidie Landscaping INC (23 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Joppa: 11 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 37% of mentions, most named G J Goss Contracting Inc (26 of 30 answers)
- Landscapers in Fallston: 15 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 22% of mentions, most named Balco Landscapes, LLC (18 of 27 answers)
- Plumbers in Fallston: 12 of 19 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named Ensor Plumbing (26 of 30 answers)
- Roofers in Fallston: 9 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 28% of mentions, most named ALP Roofing (27 of 27 answers)
- HVAC Companies in Forest Hill: 4 of 18 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 34% of mentions, most named Forest Hill Heating & Air (24 of 27 answers)
- Landscapers in Forest Hill: 11 of 20 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 19% of mentions, most named Final Cut Landscaping & Tree Services (17 of 27 answers)
- Roofers in Forest Hill: 2 of 10 on Google Maps never named, top 3 got 23% of mentions, most named Harford Roofing & Exteriors (19 of 27 answers)
Where the AIs looked
Share of the 2,137 answers that leaned on each kind of site:
- Local business websites: 67% (1,432 answers)
- Other sites: 31% (665 answers)
- Angi: 31% (651 answers)
- Yelp: 25% (538 answers)
- Quote and “best of” sites: 24% (514 answers)
- Google Maps and Search: 21% (441 answers)
- HomeAdvisor: 18% (389 answers)
- Yellow Pages and Superpages: 14% (293 answers)
- Facebook: 9% (195 answers)
- Healthgrades and WebMD: 6% (120 answers)
- BBB: 5% (115 answers)
- Birdeye: 5% (110 answers)
- Houzz: 4% (81 answers)
- Nextdoor: 4% (79 answers)
- Porch: 3% (66 answers)
- Lawyer directories: 3% (62 answers)
- MapQuest: 2% (46 answers)
- Local news, guides and Wikipedia: 2% (41 answers)
- Thumbtack: 2% (37 answers)
- Expertise.com: 1% (18 answers)
- Reddit: 1% (17 answers)
Engine by engine
| Engine | Answers | Asked per question | Businesses named per answer | Different businesses per ranking | Site it leaned on most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 648 | 3 | 5.4 | 9.6 | Google Maps and Search (56%) |
| Claude | 648 | 3 | 5.6 | 16.3 | Yelp (76%) |
| Gemini | 648 | 3 | 7.5 | 15.1 | Local business websites (99%) |
| 193 | 1 | 3.8 | 6.3 | Local business websites (53%) |
ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini picked the same #1 in 17 of 72 rankings. Google Maps' #1 was also the most named business in 24 of 72. 70% of the businesses the AIs named were named by just one of them.
Stars and reviews
Named businesses: median 4.9 stars, 68 Google reviews (712 businesses). Never named: median 5 stars, 30 reviews (501 businesses).
How this was measured
- Each AI was asked 3 customer questions per ranking, 3 times each, with the town as the asker's location. Google was searched once per question.
- ChatGPT: gpt-4.1-mini with web search (648)
- Claude: Claude Haiku 4.5 with web search (351), Claude Haiku 5.5 with web search (297)
- Gemini: Gemini 2.5 Flash with Google Search (648)
- Google: AI Overview and map results (125), map results only (no AI Overview came back) (68)
- Dates measured: October 1 to October 24, 2026.
- Listed means on Google Maps for that trade in that town. Named means at least one answer mentioned the business.
- AI answers change from one run to the next. Asking the same AI the same question again gave the exact same list 18% of the time in this data. SparkToro and Gumshoe (January 2026) found the same pattern across 2,961 runs. So read every number here as a share of many answers, not a fixed rank.
- Rankings are never for sale. Every answer is published on its ranking page.