Why AI can't read your menu or price list

Short answerIf your menu or prices exist only as a photo, scanned PDF or a pop-up, search engines and AI may not read them, so assistants guess or leave them out. Publish the same information as plain text on a web page and keep it up to date.

What to do

1. Put the menu or price list on a normal web page as text, in headings and lists or a simple table.
2. Keep the PDF if you like, but treat the web page as the main version.
3. Include allergens, dietary options, deposit or call-out charges and "from" prices where relevant.
4. Add a "last updated" date and update it when prices change.
5. Match the details on your Google Business Profile.

Why it matters

Wrong or missing prices are one of the common AI errors we see in checks. Plain text is the easiest thing for both people and machines to read.

Related guides

• What to put on your website so AI can describe you
• Why AI gets your opening hours wrong
• Eight common AI visibility mistakes local businesses make

Sources

• Google Search Central: Optimizing for generative AI features