Why a glossary helps AI send you the right work
I want to show you something important. Many people ask AI for help in their own words. They do not use your industry words. AI tries to map their words to a business. If your site does not explain these words in plain text, AI often picks someone else.
Here is what I see every day: a customer says “tankless water heater buzzing.” The plumber’s site only says “on‑demand system diagnostic.” AI connects the customer to a bigger brand that explains both phrases. The small plumber loses the job.
A simple glossary page fixes this. It tells AI, and people, “when you say X, we call it Y, and yes, we do it.” Trust me on this — it takes less time than you think.
Action today: write down 10 words your customers actually say on calls, emails, or chats.
What to include in your glossary
Your goal is to bridge customer words to your services. Keep it short and clear. No fluff. Use entries like these:
- ▸Common customer words and phrases (leaks, breaker trips, deep clean, crown lengthening, cracked screen)
- ▸Your industry terms for the same thing
- ▸Local nicknames or slang your customers use (keep it respectful and simple)
- ▸Product nicknames and model short names (e.g., “Pro Max” vs model code)
- ▸Abbreviations people type (HVAC, GFCI, SEO)
- ▸Very common misspellings (one line that says “also spelled …” is enough)
You are not writing an encyclopedia. You are building a clear map from question to service.
Action today: make a two‑column list. Left side: customer word. Right side: your word or service.
How to write each entry (a simple template)
Use the same short pattern for every entry. This helps AI and people scan fast.
- ▸Term: the customer word. Example: “breaker keeps tripping”
- ▸Also called: your term. Example: “circuit overload diagnosis”
- ▸What it means: one or two short sentences in plain English
- ▸We do: one link to your matching service page
- ▸Typical time or range: if safe to share (e.g., “Most fixes take 1–2 hours”)
- ▸Notes: brand names, models, or limits (e.g., “We service homes up to 200A panels”)
Example:
- ▸Term: “deep clean oven”
- ▸Also called: “full oven degrease and element inspection”
- ▸What it means: “We remove built‑up grease, clean the glass, and check the heating parts.”
- ▸We do: link to your oven cleaning service
- ▸Typical time or range: “60–90 minutes on site”
- ▸Notes: “Gas and electric. No commercial units.”
Short, plain, and direct. That is what works.
Action today: draft 5 entries with this template and paste them into a new page.
How to build the page so AI can read it fast
Make one new page on your site called “Glossary” or “Words We Use.” Put it in your main menu and footer. Keep the layout simple:
- ▸Clear title at the top
- ▸One short line that says what the page does
- ▸A–Z jump links or simple section headers (A, B, C…)
- ▸Each entry uses the same mini‑format
- ▸Link each entry to the right service page (one link is enough)
- ▸At the top, say your city or service area so AI connects you locally
- ▸Add “Last reviewed: Month Year” so AI trusts it is fresh
You do not need special code. Clean headings, short text, and clear links are enough. If you already have an FAQ, keep it. A glossary is different. The FAQ answers full questions. The glossary explains words and maps them to your services.
Action today: publish the page, even if it has only 5–10 entries. You can add more later.
Keep it fresh and measure the impact
Update the page once a month. Add new words from real life: phone calls, emails, messages, and reviews. Ask your team, “What words did people use this week?” Add those.
Watch how people arrive. If you can see site search or chat logs, copy common phrases into the glossary. If a term gets many views, add a photo or a one‑minute video. Keep it simple.
I built FoxRadar to help you see if ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok know your brand. It also helps you spot gaps. If AI does not mention you for a key word, add that word to your glossary and link it to the right service. Then check again next week.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- ▸Long paragraphs with no links
- ▸Only industry jargon, no customer words
- ▸No local info (city or service area)
- ▸No “Last reviewed” date
Action today: add one new entry each week. Set a 10‑minute calendar reminder.
Ready to see if AI can find you today? Check your brand on FoxRadar at getfoxradar.com. I am here to help you show up clearly and win the right jobs.