City Governments Run Thousands of Services. Their Websites Explain Almost None of Them.

Government · 296 sites audited · March 22, 2026

AISO Score

AEO

SEO

Readability

Engagement

The State of Municipal / City Websites

A resident asks ChatGPT: "How do I get a building permit in my city?" The answer should come from City Hall's website. But the permit page is buried, uses jargon, and has no FAQ. Across 296 municipal and city government sites, the average AISO score is 49/100. SEO averages 70. AEO sits at 36.

Engagement scores 45 and readability reaches 53. A total of 46% fall below 50. Cities provide essential services to residents. Their websites should make those services easy to find and use.

Schema markup is absent from 83% of municipal sites. Without structured data about services, departments, and events, AI cannot help residents navigate city resources.

Why This Matters for Municipal / City

Municipal government is defined as the local governing body of a city, town, or village that provides services including utilities, permits, parks, roads, and public safety. Residents expect city services to be accessible online. Poor websites create frustration and increase staff workload.

Residents increasingly ask AI for help with city services. AI reads service descriptions, application processes, and contact information. Cities with clear, structured web content get their information delivered to residents. Those with department-centric navigation confuse both AI and citizens.

Service-centered design refers to organizing a government website around what citizens need to do (pay a bill, get a permit, report a problem) rather than around internal department structures. This approach helps both citizens and AI find the right information.

Cities that organize their websites around what citizens need — not around departments — will serve residents better.

Key Findings

46%

Score Below 50

83%

No Schema Markup

48%

No Open Graph Tags

36/100

Avg AI Engine Score

Key Takeaways

•
Websites are organized by department not by citizen need, making services hard to find.
•
Permit and application processes are unclear with steps scattered across multiple pages.
•
Meeting and event information is outdated with past council meetings still prominently displayed.
•
Schema markup is missing from municipal websites.
•
Readability is poor with legal and bureaucratic language replacing plain instructions.
•
Accessibility violations are common despite legal requirements for government websites.

Common Mistakes in Municipal / City Websites

Department-centric organization — Citizens do not know which department handles their need. Organize by task.
Unclear permit processes — Every permit type needs a step-by-step guide with requirements, fees, and timelines.
Outdated meeting pages — Remove past meeting agendas from prominent positions. Keep upcoming meetings visible.
PDF-dependent forms — Move forms online where possible. For PDFs, provide accessible versions.
No FAQ for common services — Utility payments, trash pickup, permits, and parks questions should be answered on the site.

How to Improve Your Municipal / City Website

Reorganize around citizen tasks. Create service pages for "Pay a Bill," "Get a Permit," "Report a Problem," and "Find a Park."
Add GovernmentService schema to every service page. Include department, fees, requirements, and application process.
Write step-by-step guides for every application process. Building permits, business licenses, and utility connections each need clear instructions.
Build a citizen FAQ section. Answer the top 20 questions residents call about — trash schedules, water bills, permits, and council meetings.
Run accessibility audits quarterly. Government websites must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards at minimum.

Dimension Breakdown

AI Engine (AEO) (30%)

SEO (20%)

Readability (25%)

Engagement (25%)

Score Distribution

AISO Score Ranges

0-9

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

123

60-69

70-79

80-89

90-99

Grade Distribution

0 (0%)

6 (2%)

31 (10%)

123 (42%)

136 (46%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AISO score?

An AISO score is defined as a 0-to-100 rating that combines SEO, readability, engagement, AEO, and accessibility into one website quality metric.

What is AEO?

AEO refers to Answer Engine Optimization, the practice of structuring content so AI assistants can help residents navigate city services.

Why do city websites need optimization?

Residents use AI to find city services. Well-structured websites reduce phone calls to city hall and improve citizen satisfaction.

What schema should municipal websites use?

Use GovernmentService schema for each service. Add Event schema for meetings and FAQPage schema for common citizen questions.

How do AI tools help residents find city services?

AI reads service descriptions, application steps, and FAQ content. Poorly organized or jargon-heavy sites get bypassed.

Should cities organize websites by department or by service?

By service. Citizens think in terms of what they need to do, not which department handles it. Service-centered design works better for both citizens and AI.

What accessibility issues affect municipal websites?

PDF forms without accessible formatting, meeting archives without screen reader support, and online payment systems without keyboard navigation.

How often should city websites be updated?

Update meeting calendars weekly. Refresh service information when policies change. Run accessibility audits quarterly.

All 296 Audited Sites

Domains are partially blurred. Scores range from 0 to 100.

#	Domain	AISO	Grade	AEO	SEO	Read.	Eng.
1	o**.gov	79	B	75	98	81	67
2	soci*****.libretexts.org	72	B	64	94	77	58
3	mr**.org	71	B	71	85	66	65
4	encyclop**************.net	70	B	66	85	74	57
5	westmem*************.com	70	B	48	97	90	54
6	ki**.kiddle.co	70	B	52	85	91	57
7	wic****.gov	68	C	38	83	90	69
8	lwv***.org	67	C	73	70	61	64
9	bud***.hawaii.gov	66	C	63	88	73	45
10	mon****.edu	66	C	69	88	49	61
11	leba*****.gov	66	C	40	86	81	65
12	azl*****.org	65	C	38	83	84	62
13	ports*******.gov	65	C	40	97	91	45
14	ria***.org	65	C	55	78	75	57
15	ndst*****.gov	64	C	50	83	83	48
16	cheye*******.org	64	C	52	88	75	47
17	l**.org	63	C	37	58	96	67
18	city*******.org	63	C	48	70	85	52
19	wc***.org	63	C	37	90	71	64
20	sant*****.gov	63	C	42	97	78	47
21	okp*****.org	63	C	46	92	77	45
22	siou******.gov	63	C	40	87	90	45
23	ala***.org	62	C	66	72	70	40
24	cala*****.org	62	C	60	85	61	47
25	chici*******.com	62	C	52	83	69	52
26	taylo*******.gov	62	C	55	68	73	53
27	m**.org	62	C	50	85	63	57
28	idah*****.municipalimpact.com	61	C	48	82	75	45
29	n**.gov	61	C	40	99	73	45
30	vi***.dos.ny.gov	61	C	66	67	68	44
31	eastpr**********.gov	61	C	33	73	86	59
32	ul**.utah.gov	61	C	30	83	91	50
33	denv*****.org	60	C	40	93	78	40
34	cityo*********.org	60	C	52	88	66	40
35	n**.gov	60	C	40	85	71	51
36	pres******.ulib.csuohio.edu	60	C	43	78	68	57
37	cityof**********.gov	60	C	30	78	86	57
38	il***.org	59	D	38	98	57	53
39	balti********.gov	59	D	40	77	77	50
40	l**.org	59	D	52	95	30	67
41	colu******.us	59	D	38	88	79	42
42	cityof*********.gov	59	D	30	81	83	54
43	w**.gov	59	D	30	86	75	58
44	morga*******.gov	59	D	38	82	74	52
45	lw***.org	59	D	46	76	73	47
46	gui***.ll.georgetown.edu	58	D	47	83	41	68
47	g**.delaware.gov	58	D	38	95	64	46
48	cityofc***********.org	58	D	40	75	78	45
49	il**.gov	58	D	28	80	79	57
50	sprin********.gov	58	D	38	83	71	47
51	bill******.gov	58	D	40	65	79	52
52	cityofn************.com	58	D	48	83	71	36
53	cityof*********.com	58	D	30	89	76	48
54	lasve*********.gov	58	D	25	80	79	57
55	provid***********.com	58	D	35	85	69	51
56	ogde*****.gov	58	D	40	82	60	57
57	ss**.gov	58	D	40	78	72	49
58	bl***.loc.gov	58	D	48	83	42	64
59	ball*******.org	57	D	70	88	12	62
60	pho****.gov	57	D	42	77	72	45
61	amlco*******.arml.org	57	D	38	77	81	41
62	del*****.gov	57	D	38	83	64	53
63	ad***.ks.gov	57	D	42	80	68	47
64	me***.org	57	D	46	60	79	47
65	arc****.legmt.gov	57	D	25	70	95	45
66	cou****.lumenlearning.com	57	D	42	81	63	50
67	avon******.gov	56	D	43	72	83	30
68	lexi*******.gov	56	D	38	90	71	35
69	town*******.com	56	D	46	75	63	47
70	ril*****.org	56	D	15	68	96	55
71	tsha******.org	56	D	25	74	71	63
72	hc**.com	56	D	40	66	67	55
73	cityof***********.org	56	D	40	78	77	37
74	louis*******.gov	55	D	35	80	79	36
75	c**.grand.co.us	55	D	35	80	63	50
76	ctc***.org	55	D	43	15	100	57
77	civ*****.org	55	D	48	73	64	40
78	city******.org	55	D	40	88	50	52
79	ken*****.gov	55	D	59	50	59	51
80	moc*****.com	55	D	46	68	65	45
81	n**.gov	55	D	40	93	41	55
82	cou****.nyc.gov	55	D	48	77	50	50
83	por*****.gov	55	D	20	88	68	57
84	va**.org	55	D	51	15	95	52
85	leg***.akleg.gov	54	D	51	15	94	47
86	midd*****.id.gov	54	D	40	68	77	37
87	ic***.org	54	D	40	83	73	30
88	br**.gov	54	D	30	90	66	42
89	ma**.gov	54	D	40	95	30	62
90	bw**.state.mn.us	54	D	43	97	38	50
91	lin****.ne.gov	54	D	40	88	54	45
92	ndl****.gov	54	D	43	15	96	57
93	clevel**********.gov	54	D	43	15	100	52
94	nash*****.gov	54	D	48	95	36	45
95	memp*****.gov	54	D	30	88	63	47
96	oe***.highered.texas.gov	54	D	30	78	63	56
97	s**.gov	54	D	25	75	78	47
98	c**.tumwater.wa.us	54	D	46	80	66	30
99	marat*********.gov	54	D	30	83	76	37
100	com*****.alaska.gov	53	D	28	75	66	52
101	cityo*********.org	53	D	43	15	100	47
102	georgia************.org	53	D	40	83	52	46
103	in**.gov	53	D	40	68	75	35
104	cedar*******.org	53	D	25	80	72	45
105	rich******.gov	53	D	37	70	72	40
106	iowa******.org	53	D	32	75	66	47
107	kidsv*********.org	53	D	40	81	73	28
108	provi*******.gov	53	D	40	90	44	49
109	localg*********.extension.wisc.edu	53	D	43	92	45	42
110	jack*****.gov	53	D	40	86	47	47
111	ww**.census.gov	52	D	43	15	97	47
112	libg*****.ctstatelibrary.org	52	D	47	78	38	50
113	flc*****.com	52	D	43	15	97	47
114	fc**.usf.edu	52	D	43	62	77	28
115	con****.leg.colorado.gov	52	D	43	15	97	47
116	m**.maryland.gov	52	D	35	75	66	40
117	mt***.org	52	D	40	90	38	50
118	mainel**********.org	52	D	36	70	79	30
119	berwy********.granicus.com	52	D	43	15	98	47
120	gui***.mblc.state.ma.us	52	D	37	65	54	56
121	rev****.state.mn.us	52	D	32	94	43	51
122	lw***.org	52	D	43	15	99	47
123	tor****.ca	52	D	43	15	96	47
124	townofs***********.com	52	D	43	15	99	47
125	mccmee***********.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net	52	D	43	15	96	47
126	m**.lwv.org	52	D	43	15	96	47
127	colum********.libguides.com	52	D	37	75	42	61
128	cityof***********.com	52	D	35	85	52	47
129	city*******.com	51	D	20	83	72	40
130	ca-***.org	51	D	43	15	88	52
131	d**.state.mn.us	51	D	47	84	49	30
132	rose******.org	51	D	43	15	100	42
133	nm***.state.nm.us	51	D	30	80	50	52
134	ohio*******.gov	51	D	35	78	53	47
135	oh**.gov	51	D	46	80	34	52
136	s**.oregon.gov	51	D	58	75	36	37
137	cor****.org	51	D	38	15	99	47
138	charl********.gov	51	D	40	93	41	42
139	il**.org	51	D	43	15	95	47
140	gui***.law.byu.edu	51	D	39	75	41	57
141	manch********.gov	51	D	40	75	50	45
142	vl**.org	51	D	50	83	29	48
143	lwm*****.org	51	D	48	98	25	42
144	wac*****.org	51	D	43	15	95	47
145	d**.gov	51	D	25	70	70	47
146	o**.dc.gov	51	D	25	93	71	30
147	dcco*****.gov	51	D	48	75	38	47
148	cityof**********.com	50	D	43	15	90	47
149	fort*******.gov	50	D	40	80	59	30
150	n**.gov	50	D	38	15	96	47
151	idco******.org	50	D	43	15	96	42
152	d**.ky.gov	50	D	35	75	51	47
153	clark********.gov	50	D	30	80	36	64
154	nj**.org	50	D	20	98	52	47
155	nc**.org	50	D	25	62	80	42
156	fish*******.gov	50	D	43	15	91	47
157	oks*****.gov	50	D	43	15	89	47
158	comp*******.tn.gov	50	D	40	72	58	35
159	5781252***********.weebly.com	50	D	35	73	68	30
160	charl*******.gov	50	D	25	93	40	57
161	al***.sophicity.com	49	F	35	85	38	46
162	armun*******.org	49	F	25	85	62	37
163	comm*******.org	49	F	43	15	96	37
164	crc****.gov	49	F	40	75	46	40
165	bro****.org	49	F	43	15	86	47
166	pu**.lib.uiowa.edu	49	F	30	54	87	30
167	n**.org	49	F	43	85	40	38
168	b**.org	49	F	25	82	59	40
169	l**.la.gov	49	F	38	85	39	45
170	maleg********.gov	49	F	30	80	52	42
171	gui***.lib.umich.edu	49	F	43	73	39	48
172	libg*****.rutgers.edu	49	F	47	65	38	48
173	gh**.realtor	49	F	43	15	85	47
174	civice**********.org	49	F	32	37	73	53
175	wcm****.org	49	F	50	81	28	42
176	dh**.virginia.gov	49	F	25	75	59	45
177	sheffi**********.net	48	F	43	15	91	37
178	amla*****.org	48	F	43	15	83	47
179	ua**.edu	48	F	40	83	36	40
180	me***.audubon.org	48	F	43	15	77	52
181	honolul************.org	48	F	38	72	47	42
182	ma***.gov	48	F	20	92	48	47
183	ass***.senate.mn	48	F	43	15	86	42
184	stlo******.gov	48	F	40	83	36	43
185	lo**.org	48	F	35	75	34	57
186	n**.gov	48	F	25	86	45	49
187	ma**.sc	48	F	25	94	42	45
188	t**.org	48	F	43	15	83	47
189	hawai*******.gov	47	F	38	72	39	47
190	k**.org	47	F	30	77	43	47
191	l**.state.nv.us	47	F	43	50	80	18
192	nc***.gov	47	F	40	91	10	57
193	s**.gov	47	F	40	81	22	52
194	v**.org	47	F	38	88	10	62
195	co**.wvlegislature.gov	47	F	30	82	58	30
196	do**.legis.wisconsin.gov	47	F	43	15	78	47
197	cdm*****.contentdm.oclc.org	47	F	43	15	77	47
198	ligade**********.com	47	F	30	98	28	46
199	mes***.gov	46	F	25	77	51	40
200	new*****.gov	46	F	40	90	23	42
201	kc**.gov	46	F	40	80	32	40
202	col*****.gov	46	F	40	83	31	40
203	tm**.org	46	F	38	78	27	48
204	cityo********.org	46	F	40	75	32	42
205	libg*****.asu.edu	45	F	33	70	34	50
206	l**.state.fl.us	45	F	25	68	61	35
207	l**.org	45	F	35	55	45	48
208	mdco******.org	45	F	40	82	26	42
209	libg*****.umn.edu	45	F	33	70	35	48
210	m**.gov	45	F	40	77	35	37
211	p**.org	45	F	38	93	10	50
212	wv**.org	45	F	40	83	26	38
213	atlas*******.gov	44	F	35	88	10	55
214	c**.org	44	F	30	78	47	30
215	gui***.lib.purdue.edu	44	F	36	78	19	50
216	m**.org	44	F	43	15	64	47
217	m**.gov	44	F	30	37	95	15
218	nebra*********.gov	44	F	48	86	10	40
219	min****.gov	44	F	20	75	58	34
220	sci***.net	44	F	28	93	22	47
221	wyo****.org	44	F	30	85	40	30
222	ap**.ilsos.gov	43	F	15	47	62	56
223	d**.iowa.gov	43	F	30	95	21	37
224	ok***.org	43	F	40	92	23	29
225	l**.state.pa.us	43	F	30	52	36	58
226	libg*****.vermontlaw.edu	43	F	27	70	34	48
227	i**.org	42	F	40	81	10	47
228	libg*****.law.drake.edu	42	F	27	70	33	48
229	loui*****.gov	42	F	30	89	10	52
230	mega******.org	42	F	15	70	47	47
231	oml****.org	42	F	38	88	10	42
232	par*****.gov	42	F	30	72	22	52
233	mic*****.gov	41	F	40	68	10	50
234	manch*******.gov	41	F	40	65	19	45
235	is***.com	41	F	28	96	10	42
236	wvstat*********.wv.gov	41	F	20	38	83	25
237	an***.org	41	F	32	33	72	28
238	gui***.library.ucsc.edu	40	F	33	75	12	49
239	desi******.nebraska.gov	40	F	28	87	10	48
240	nhmu*******.org	40	F	28	83	10	51
241	ut**.gov	40	F	20	78	33	42
242	dl**.us	39	F	35	80	10	40
243	maui******.gov	39	F	30	85	10	42
244	illinoi************.gov	39	F	25	87	10	47
245	nm**.org	39	F	38	15	52	47
246	sto****.opengov.com	39	F	33	64	34	30
247	resea*********.uoregon.edu	39	F	27	68	11	57
248	green*******.gov	39	F	25	70	10	59
249	d**.wi.gov	39	F	33	65	23	40
250	state********.delaware.gov	38	F	15	84	10	57
251	io**.gov	38	F	30	80	10	40
252	co**.gov	38	F	20	99	10	40
253	n**.gov	38	F	30	70	10	48
254	s**.unc.edu	38	F	25	75	10	51
255	nctr*******.gov	38	F	28	77	10	48
256	o**.org	38	F	38	85	10	30
257	sdleg********.gov	38	F	30	55	48	25
258	ver****.gov	38	F	30	75	10	45
259	gac*****.com	37	F	15	75	39	30
260	hon*****.gov	37	F	30	20	87	10
261	city*******.org	37	F	28	70	10	47
262	i**.gov	37	F	30	81	10	38
263	repo******.law.indiana.edu	37	F	30	15	89	10
264	mtl*****.org	37	F	20	85	10	46
265	nvl*****.com	37	F	20	83	11	46
266	t**.newmexico.gov	37	F	18	75	10	55
267	cou***.state.va.us	37	F	38	80	10	30
268	mu**.org	36	F	35	65	12	36
269	city*******.gov	36	F	23	68	10	52
270	mdmu*******.org	36	F	32	55	10	50
271	alle*******.org	36	F	30	70	10	42
272	sf**.mt.gov	36	F	25	63	10	53
273	mt**.tennessee.edu	36	F	18	85	10	45
274	wyom*****.gov	36	F	33	70	10	40
275	por***.ehawaii.gov	34	F	15	83	10	40
276	dakot*******.sd.gov	34	F	30	68	10	36
277	knox*******.gov	34	F	15	78	10	46
278	w**.gov	34	F	28	77	10	30
279	thegr*********.com	33	F	20	65	10	44
280	r**.gov	33	F	25	63	10	40
281	califo***********.gov	32	F	15	50	28	40
282	d**.fl.gov	32	F	27	70	10	30
283	nhec*****.com	32	F	25	62	10	38
284	n**.gov	32	F	15	70	10	45
285	carbo*********.gov	32	F	20	75	10	34
286	por***.ct.gov	31	F	20	67	10	35
287	opportu*************.gov	31	F	15	73	10	37
288	montp********.org	31	F	20	70	10	34
289	ak**.org	30	F	20	70	10	30
290	jerse*******.gov	30	F	15	62	10	43
291	ope****.sos.ri.gov	30	F	15	73	10	35
292	sta*****.capitol.texas.gov	30	F	25	53	10	38
293	vir*****.gov	30	F	15	71	10	35
294	l**.azleague.org	29	F	18	58	10	37
295	aimi******.org	28	F	15	67	10	30
296	s**.state.ma.us	13	F	20	15	10	5

Methodology

Each website was scored using AISO Studio's production scoring engine across four dimensions:

AEO (30%) — AI Engine Optimization: direct answer format, FAQ patterns, structured content, citation signals, topical authority
SEO (20%) — Title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, links, images, keyword optimization
Readability (25%) — Flesch reading ease with normalized scoring, sentence complexity, audience appropriateness
Engagement (25%) — Content hooks, calls to action, questions, lists, quotes, emphasis, paragraph variety

296 sites collected across US states using geographic search queries. Scores reflect the state of each website at time of audit.

How Does YOUR Municipal / City Website Score?

The average municipal / city website scores 49/100. Get a free audit to see where you stand and how to improve your AI search readiness.

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