AI Visible

How Do Architects Get Found in AI Search Results?

Clients don't just ask for "an architect." They ask ChatGPT for "an RIBA Chartered architect in Surrey specialising in Paragraph 80 homes." If your website doesn't explicitly tell AI about your ARB registration, design specialisms, and project portfolio, you're invisible to these high-value commissions.
The Short Answer:

Schema markup for architects packages start at just £49 and are implemented in 48 hours. We translate your ARB/RIBA credentials, project portfolio, and design expertise into machine-readable code, ensuring AI assistants recommend you for the specific projects you want to win.

Why Architects Are Missing Out on AI Visibility

The "Architect" vs. "Designer" Confusion

AI search engines struggle to differentiate between ARB-registered architects and unregistered "architectural designers." If your ARB status is just text in a footer, AI might lump you in with cheaper, unregulated competitors. Organization schema explicitly verifies your protected title, ensuring you rank for queries demanding a qualified professional.

Portfolio Blindness

Your website is a gallery of stunning work, but to an AI, it's just a collection of JPEGs. Without ImageObject schema, search engines can't "see" that your photo shows a "sustainable timber-frame extension in the Cotswolds." We tag your images with rich metadata, turning your portfolio into a searchable database for visual AI queries.

Specialism Invisibility

Generalist "Architecture" pages get lost. Clients search for niches: "Passivhaus architect," "Listed Building specialist," or "Basement conversion design." Without Service schema defining these specific offerings, AI sees you as a generalist. We mark up your specific expertise, helping you attract clients looking for exactly what you do.

Planning Success Rates

One of the biggest client fears is planning refusal. If you have a high success rate, we can mark this up as a key selling point. Schema allows us to highlight your track record, giving AI a data-backed reason to recommend you as the "safe pair of hands" for complex planning applications.

How AI Visible Helps Architects Be Seen

We audit your practice to identify your core strengths and target sectors. We implement Organization schema configured as ArchitectureFirm to establish your professional standing. We use Service schema to detail your specific services (Feasibility, Planning, Building Regs, Contract Administration). We use ImageObject schema to tag your best projects with location and design style data. Finally, we use AggregateRating schema to showcase your client testimonials.

📊 What You Get:

ArchitectureFirm Organization schema with ARB/RIBA IDs • Service schema for planning, design, and project management • ImageObject schema for 5 key projects • "knowsAbout" tagging for design styles • AggregateRating schema for reviews.

48-Hour Implementation Process for Architects

We respect your design time. Our process is streamlined and non-intrusive, following our New Rules of SEO 2026 framework. Day 1 involves a digital audit where we gather your registration details, project list, and service hierarchy. We map this data to the most relevant schema types for the architectural profession.

On Day 2, we generate the JSON-LD code, validating it against Google's structured data guidelines and testing it with our internal AI prompts ("Find a Passivhaus architect in [City]"). Once verified, we deploy it to your site. In the following weeks, we monitor your visibility for niche queries and visual search results.

Essential Schema Types for Architecture Practices

Organization Schema: Your Professional Licence

Configured as ArchitectureFirm, this schema verifies your legal status. We include your ARB registration number and RIBA Chartered Practice ID. This tells AI assistants that you are a regulated professional, legally entitled to use the title "Architect," separating you from the unregulated market.

Service Schema: Defining Your Process

We use Service schema to break your work into stages. "Feasibility Studies," "Planning Applications," "Technical Design," and "Contract Administration" are all defined separately. This allows AI to match you to clients at different stages of their project journey.

ImageObject Schema: Visual SEO

Architecture is visual. We wrap your project photos in ImageObject schema, adding captions that describe the style ("Brutalist," "Georgian"), the materials ("Zinc cladding," "Reclaimed brick"), and the location. This helps you rank in image searches and visual AI answers.

Review Schema: Client Trust

High-value projects require high trust. We ensure your 5-star Google or Houzz reviews are visible to AI engines using AggregateRating schema. This social proof confirms that your beautiful designs are matched by client satisfaction.

Typical Implementation Example

The following is an illustrative example based on common outcomes from schema markup implementations. Individual results may vary.

The Scenario: A boutique architectural practice in London had a stunning portfolio but received few inquiries. They were invisible for 'sustainable residential architect' searches.

The Diagnosis: Their beautiful portfolio images were locked in galleries AI couldn't read. Search engines didn't know they specialised in 'Passivhaus' or 'Retrofit'.

The Solution: We added Service schema for 'Sustainable Design' and 'Heritage Retrofit', and marked up their portfolio with ImageObject schema including location data.

The Outcome: The firm saw **project inquiries increase by 40%** within 6 months, with a specific uplift in high-budget sustainable retrofit projects. (Source: Houzz & SEO.ai Industry Benchmarks)

Get Your Free AI Visibility Snapshot

Discover if AI search engines recognize your ARB status and design specialisms.

Get My Free Snapshot →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does schema markup cost for architects?
Schema markup for architects packages start at just £49 for a multi-page package. Both options include Organization schema configured as ArchitectureFirm, plus Service schema for planning, design, and project management.
Can schema markup verify my ARB registration?
Yes. Organization schema supports 'identifier' fields where we can input your ARB registration number. This is a critical trust signal that helps AI assistants distinguish you from unregistered architectural designers.
Will schema help showcase my portfolio?
Absolutely. We use ImageObject schema to tag your project photos with detailed metadata like 'Modern Glass Extension, Altrincham, completed 2025'. This helps AI match you to visual queries like 'architect for contemporary extensions'.
Does schema distinguish between residential and commercial work?
Yes. We can create separate Service schema entities for 'Residential Architecture' and 'Commercial Design'. This prevents AI from recommending you for a loft conversion when you only handle large-scale commercial projects.
How quickly will I see results?
Implementation takes 48 hours. Most architects begin appearing in AI-generated answers within 2-4 weeks once Google, Bing, and ChatGPT recrawl your structured data. We monitor this weekly and provide reports.
Can schema show my RIBA Chartered status?
Yes. We use 'memberOf' fields in Organization schema to link your practice to the RIBA. This verifies your Chartered status to AI engines, giving you a competitive edge over non-chartered practices.
What if I work nationally?
We can set your areaServed to the entire UK. This ensures you appear in searches for specific architectural styles (e.g., 'Paragraph 80 architect') regardless of the client's location.
Do I need schema if I rely on Houzz or Instagram?
Social platforms are great for visuals, but they don't help you rank in AI search answers. Schema markup on your own website ensures that when clients ask 'who designed that house?', your brand is the answer, verified by your own data.

Learn More

Schema Markup for Architects — From £49

Implemented in 48 hours. No site redesign. No ongoing contracts.

Get Started →

About AI Visible: Manchester's leading specialist in schema markup implementation and AI search optimisation for the built environment. We make ARB registrations, RIBA charters, and project portfolios machine-readable so AI assistants can trust and recommend you.

Author: AI Visible Team | Expertise: Schema Markup, Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), Knowledge Graph Strategy

Contact: Email General Enquiries | aivisible.co.uk