Here’s a question that sounds simple but is actually critical: Is your ORION Score of 52 good?
The answer depends entirely on context. If you’re in the healthcare industry and the average ORION Score is 48, you’re outperforming peers. If you’re in SaaS and the average is 65, you’re lagging and should be concerned.
This is why industry benchmarking is essential. Raw metrics are meaningless. Competitive metrics are everything.
In this guide, I’ve compiled 2026 AI visibility benchmarking data across 12 major industries. This data comes from analyzing 400+ companies across ORION Score’s database, combined with third-party research from 2025-2026.
How to Use This Data
Average ORION Score: The mean score across all companies tracked in that sector. Top Quartile (75th percentile): Score needed to be in the top 25%. Median: Above this means above average. Bottom Quartile: The warning zone.
The Benchmarking Data by Industry
SaaS and Software (B2B)
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Average ORION Score | 52 |
| Top Quartile | 72+ |
| Bottom Quartile | 35 |
| Sample Size | 84 companies |
The gap between top (72+) and bottom (35) is 37 points, the largest of any industry. Platform breakdown: Gemini 48, ChatGPT 54, Perplexity 46, Google AI 61. Many SaaS companies rank well on Google but get minimal ChatGPT citations. Recommendation: Below 52? Focus on earned media, analyst reviews, and trusted publications.
Healthcare and Medical Services
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Average ORION Score | 54 |
| Top Quartile | 74+ |
| Bottom Quartile | 38 |
| Sample Size | 58 companies |
Top performers include Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, WebMD. They succeed with evidence-based content and peer-reviewed citations. Recommendation: Focus on credentials, medical journals, and academic partnerships.
E-Commerce and Retail
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Average ORION Score | 52 |
| Top Quartile | 71+ |
| Bottom Quartile | 37 |
| Sample Size | 76 companies |
Companies on retailer platforms see higher Gemini/Google scores; those with independent content see higher ChatGPT scores. Recommendation: Create buying guides and comparison content rather than just product listings.
Financial Services
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Average ORION Score | 59 |
| Top Quartile | 79+ |
| Bottom Quartile | 41 |
| Sample Size | 42 companies |
Highest average ORION Score of any non-media industry, dominated by Bank of America, Fidelity, Vanguard. Recommendation: Fintech should focus on educational content and niche thought leadership.
Professional Services
Average: 56 | Top Quartile: 76+ | Bottom: 40 | Sample: 38. Leaders: McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte. Invest in published research, thought leadership, and media appearances.
Technology Hardware
Average: 50 | Top Quartile: 70+ | Bottom: 33 | Sample: 52. Leaders: Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA. Strong reviewer relationships drive 2x higher ChatGPT citations.
B2B Manufacturing
Average: 44 | Top Quartile: 63+ | Bottom: 28 | Sample: 31. Least saturated industry in AI, creating massive opportunity. Leaders: Siemens, ABB, Caterpillar.
Hospitality and Travel
Average: 48 | Top Quartile: 68+ | Bottom: 31 | Sample: 44. Leaders: Marriott, Hilton, Airbnb. Review volume matters more than brand content.
Real Estate
Average: 46 | Top Quartile: 65+ | Bottom: 29 | Sample: 37. National platforms dominate (Zillow, Redfin). Individual agents should build local authority content.
Insurance
Average: 55 | Top Quartile: 75+ | Bottom: 38 | Sample: 28. Leaders: Geico, State Farm, Progressive. Focus on educational content and niche specialization.
Education and EdTech
Average: 51 | Top Quartile: 71+ | Bottom: 34 | Sample: 43. Leaders: Coursera, Khan Academy, Duolingo. Free educational content drives AI citations.
Media, News and Publishing
Average: 62 (highest of any industry) | Top Quartile: 82+ | Bottom: 45 | Sample: 51. Leaders: NYT, WSJ, BBC, Reuters, Bloomberg.
Cross-Industry Insights
Authority wins across all industries—the #1 predictor of ORION Score. Content creates consistency—companies with robust content libraries score 15-30 points higher. Third-party validation matters more than you think—respected third-party mentions correlate more with ChatGPT citations than brand content. There’s always room to move up—the gap between bottom and top quartile is 35-42 points across industries.
Conclusion
Industry benchmarking transforms your ORION Score from a number to a strategy. The gap between leaders and laggards in AI visibility is wide open. That gap closes through focused effort on content, authority, and strategic optimization.
Related Reading
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