Crane Index™ Research › AI Readability 2026 › Professional Services
Crane Index™ · Annual edition
UK Professional Services AI Readability 2026
As of 1 October 2026, the median UK professional services site scored 54 out of 100 on the Crane Index™, the measure of how readably a site presents itself to AI engines. Across the 144 sites a machine could read, scores ran from 22 to 76, a 54-point gap between the strongest and the weakest.
The 2027 edition is scheduled. UK AI Readability 2027 is pinned to the scan scheduled for 1 January 2027. The figures on this page stay fixed to 1 October 2026.
What this measures. The score reads how readably a site presents itself to AI engines: entity markup, structured data and machine resolvability. It is not a measure of design, brand or quality. A site can look excellent to a person and still be hard for a machine to read, and a low score is a readability finding, never a judgement on the business.
The field in 2026
The field was led by Mercer at 76, with Cherry Bekaert next at 75. 12 sites cleared 70 out of 100, and 29 scored below 40.
At the foot of the field sat Russell Reynolds Associates at 22, Foster + Partners at 23, Aurecon at 23. Each is a site a machine struggled to read, not a business doing anything other than well at what it does.
The full 2026 ranking
Composite out of 100, with the three reads behind it: AI Search Readiness (retrieval), Agent Readiness (execution) and Brand Representation.
| Rank | Organisation | Crane Index | Search | Agent | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercermercer.com/en-us | 76 | 57 | 82 | 89 |
| 2 | Cherry Bekaertcbh.com | 75 | 80 | 92 | 54 |
| 3= | Kelly Serviceskellyservices.com | 74 | 80 | 91 | 52 |
| 3= | Safferysaffery.com | 74 | 80 | 86 | 57 |
| 5= | BTS Groupbts.com | 73 | 81 | 90 | 49 |
| 5= | Systrasystra.com | 73 | 75 | 90 | 55 |
| 7 | Egon Zehnderegonzehnder.com | 72 | 72 | 82 | 63 |
| 8= | Moore Globalmoore-global.com | 71 | 83 | 87 | 43 |
| 8= | Perkins&Willperkinswill.com | 71 | 73 | 87 | 52 |
| 10= | Boston Consulting Groupbcg.com | 70 | 71 | 76 | 62 |
| 10= | Forresterforrester.com/bold | 70 | 78 | 87 | 46 |
| 10= | HOKhok.com | 70 | 69 | 82 | 58 |
| 13 | Genslergensler.com | 69 | 70 | 92 | 46 |
| 14= | Booz Allen Hamiltonboozallen.com | 68 | 75 | 65 | 64 |
| 14= | Millimanus.milliman.com/en | 68 | 68 | 62 | 73 |
| 14= | OC&C Strategy Consultantsoccstrategy.com/en | 68 | 72 | 85 | 46 |
| 14= | Tetra Techtetratech.com | 68 | 77 | 87 | 41 |
| 18= | IDCidc.com | 67 | 77 | 89 | 35 |
| 18= | Withumwithum.com | 67 | 70 | 87 | 43 |
| 20= | Broadstonebroadstone.co.uk | 66 | 67 | 89 | 42 |
| 20= | Krollkroll.com/en | 66 | 61 | 83 | 53 |
| 20= | Teneoteneo.com | 66 | 66 | 77 | 56 |
| 20= | Xeinadinxeinadin.com | 66 | 74 | 77 | 48 |
| 20= | ZS Associateszs.com | 66 | 60 | 66 | 71 |
| 25= | EisnerAmpereisneramper.com | 65 | 72 | 72 | 52 |
| 25= | Roland Bergerrolandberger.com/en/?country=US | 65 | 71 | 60 | 64 |
| 27= | Charles River Associatescrai.com | 64 | 66 | 82 | 43 |
| 27= | Elixirrelixirr.com/en-gb | 64 | 74 | 83 | 35 |
| 27= | haysmacintyrehaysmac.com | 64 | 65 | 85 | 43 |
| 27= | Rambollramboll.com | 64 | 63 | 81 | 48 |
| 27= | Skidmore, Owings & Merrillsom.com | 64 | 62 | 87 | 43 |
| 27= | Slalomslalom.com/us/en | 64 | 74 | 72 | 46 |
| 27= | Thoughtworksthoughtworks.com | 64 | 66 | 85 | 41 |
| 34= | Baker Tillybakertilly.global | 63 | 69 | 62 | 58 |
| 34= | Expleoexpleo.com/global/en | 63 | 65 | 88 | 35 |
| 34= | Parsonsparsons.com | 63 | 65 | 82 | 41 |
| 34= | RSMrsm.global | 63 | 65 | 82 | 43 |
| 34= | Spencer Stuartspencerstuart.com | 63 | 57 | 87 | 46 |
| 39= | Burns & McDonnellburnsmcd.com | 62 | 72 | 63 | 52 |
| 39= | DEKRAdekra.com/en/home | 62 | 59 | 82 | 46 |
| 39= | Oliver Wymanoliverwyman.com/index.html | 62 | 54 | 72 | 60 |
| 39= | PA Consultingpaconsulting.com | 62 | 79 | 56 | 51 |
| 43= | Bain & Companybain.com | 61 | 67 | 59 | 58 |
| 43= | Baringa Partnersbaringa.com/en | 61 | 71 | 72 | 41 |
| 43= | Reedreed.co.uk | 61 | 52 | 87 | 43 |
| 43= | SHLshl.com | 61 | 72 | 77 | 35 |
| 47= | CBIZcbiz.com | 60 | 69 | 85 | 25 |
| 47= | Fugrofugro.com | 60 | 73 | 62 | 46 |
| 47= | Korn Ferrykornferry.com | 60 | 68 | 66 | 46 |
| 47= | Oxeraoxera.com | 60 | 66 | 87 | 28 |
| 51= | AECOMaecom.com | 59 | 61 | 87 | 28 |
| 51= | AlixPartnersalixpartners.com | 59 | 63 | 63 | 52 |
| 51= | FTI Consultingfticonsulting.com | 59 | 64 | 72 | 41 |
| 51= | Isioisio.com | 59 | 62 | 87 | 28 |
| 51= | KPMGkpmg.com/xx/en.html | 59 | 66 | 82 | 28 |
| 51= | Publicis Sapientpublicissapient.com | 59 | 69 | 56 | 53 |
| 51= | Randstadrandstad.com | 59 | 59 | 82 | 35 |
| 58= | BearingPointbearingpoint.com/en | 58 | 71 | 56 | 46 |
| 58= | Buro Happoldburohappold.com | 58 | 64 | 69 | 41 |
| 58= | EYey.com/en_us | 58 | 70 | 82 | 21 |
| 58= | Nous Groupnousgroup.com | 58 | 61 | 69 | 43 |
| 62= | Lane Clark & Peacocklcp.com/en | 57 | 69 | 69 | 34 |
| 62= | Lloyd's Registerlr.org | 57 | 61 | 63 | 46 |
| 64= | Boydenboyden.com | 56 | 65 | 62 | 41 |
| 64= | Jacobsjacobs.com | 56 | 58 | 68 | 41 |
| 64= | Protivitiprotiviti.com/us-en | 56 | 61 | 62 | 46 |
| 64= | Robert Halfroberthalf.com/us/en | 56 | 64 | 80 | 25 |
| 68= | Analysis Groupanalysisgroup.com | 54 | 56 | 59 | 46 |
| 68= | Bechtelbechtel.com | 54 | 62 | 87 | 13 |
| 68= | Begbies Traynorbegbies-traynorgroup.com | 54 | 59 | 69 | 34 |
| 68= | ManpowerGroupmanpowergroup.com | 54 | 30 | 74 | 59 |
| 68= | Populouspopulous.com | 54 | 67 | 87 | 8 |
| 73= | Azetsazets.com/en-uk | 53 | 73 | 63 | 23 |
| 73= | Brunswick Groupbrunswickgroup.com | 53 | 52 | 65 | 41 |
| 73= | Cooper Parrycooperparry.com | 53 | 68 | 83 | 8 |
| 73= | Plante Moranplantemoran.com | 53 | 64 | 62 | 34 |
| 77 | Aruparup.com/en-us | 52 | 66 | 50 | 41 |
| 78= | First Actuarialfirstactuarial.co.uk | 51 | 70 | 55 | 28 |
| 78= | L.E.K. Consultinglek.com | 51 | 59 | 60 | 34 |
| 78= | Mott MacDonaldmottmac.com | 51 | 66 | 46 | 41 |
| 81= | Gallupgallup.com/home.aspx | 50 | 59 | 62 | 28 |
| 81= | Kohn Pedersen Foxkpf.com | 50 | 70 | 50 | 30 |
| 81= | North Highlandnorthhighland.com | 50 | 55 | 68 | 28 |
| 84= | CDM Smithcdmsmith.com | 49 | 63 | 62 | 23 |
| 84= | Hawkins Brownhawkinsbrown.com | 49 | 62 | 63 | 23 |
| 84= | Interpath Advisoryinterpath.com | 49 | 53 | 87 | 8 |
| 87= | BDPbdp.com/us | 48 | 50 | 85 | 8 |
| 87= | Bjarke Ingels Groupbig.dk | 48 | 49 | 63 | 33 |
| 87= | Grant Thorntongrantthornton.global/en | 48 | 59 | 71 | 13 |
| 87= | Turner & Townsendturnerandtownsend.com | 48 | 46 | 87 | 10 |
| 87= | Wilkinson Eyrewilkinsoneyre.com | 48 | 55 | 63 | 25 |
| 92= | Huron Consulting Grouphuronconsultinggroup.com/en | 45 | 62 | 62 | 10 |
| 92= | Odgers Berndtsonodgers.com/en-us | 45 | 60 | 68 | 8 |
| 94= | Bridgespan Groupbridgespan.org | 44 | 57 | 65 | 10 |
| 94= | Heatherwick Studioheatherwick.com | 44 | 55 | 70 | 8 |
| 94= | Michael Pagemichaelpage.com | 44 | 56 | 68 | 8 |
| 94= | Worleyworley.com | 44 | 50 | 68 | 13 |
| 94= | XPS Groupxpsgroup.com | 44 | 50 | 68 | 13 |
| 99= | Development Dimensions Internationalddi.com | 43 | 50 | 66 | 13 |
| 99= | HDRhdrinc.com | 43 | 48 | 68 | 13 |
| 99= | Hymans Robertsonhymans.co.uk | 43 | 51 | 68 | 10 |
| 99= | Veriskverisk.com | 43 | 49 | 68 | 13 |
| 103= | Genpactgenpact.com | 42 | 45 | 68 | 13 |
| 103= | Nash Squarednashsquared.com | 42 | 44 | 58 | 23 |
| 105= | Buzzacottbuzzacott.co.uk | 41 | 42 | 62 | 18 |
| 105= | CohnReznickcohnreznick.com | 41 | 53 | 62 | 8 |
| 105= | KBRkbr.com/en | 41 | 46 | 68 | 8 |
| 105= | Snohettasnohetta.com | 41 | 46 | 68 | 8 |
| 105= | Stantecstantec.com/en | 41 | 46 | 55 | 23 |
| 110= | Adecco Groupadeccogroup.com | 40 | 40 | 62 | 18 |
| 110= | Allegis Groupallegisgroup.com | 40 | 49 | 62 | 10 |
| 110= | Egisegis-group.com | 40 | 49 | 62 | 8 |
| 110= | Fluorfluor.com | 40 | 45 | 62 | 13 |
| 110= | Great Place to Workgreatplacetowork.com | 40 | 44 | 63 | 13 |
| 110= | Simon-Kuchersimon-kucher.com/en | 40 | 43 | 68 | 8 |
| 116= | Berkeley Research Groupthinkbrg.com | 39 | 47 | 62 | 8 |
| 116= | Black & Veatchbv.com/en-US | 39 | 46 | 62 | 10 |
| 116= | Deloittedeloitte.com/us/en.html | 39 | 46 | 62 | 10 |
| 116= | Forvis Mazarsforvismazars.com/group/en | 39 | 43 | 63 | 10 |
| 116= | Intertekintertek.com | 39 | 45 | 63 | 8 |
| 121= | CliftonLarsonAllenclaconnect.com/en | 38 | 44 | 63 | 8 |
| 121= | GHDghd.com/en-us | 38 | 39 | 68 | 8 |
| 121= | Ricardoricardo.com | 38 | 42 | 63 | 8 |
| 121= | Robert Waltersrobertwalters.com | 38 | 55 | 30 | 28 |
| 121= | Royal HaskoningDHVhaskoning.com | 38 | 42 | 62 | 10 |
| 126= | Bureau Veritasgroup.bureauveritas.com | 37 | 34 | 68 | 10 |
| 126= | Kearneykearney.com | 37 | 32 | 68 | 10 |
| 126= | LHHlhh.com/en-us | 37 | 35 | 61 | 15 |
| 126= | Quantumaquantuma.com | 37 | 46 | 57 | 8 |
| 126= | TUV Rheinlandtuv.com/usa/en | 37 | 39 | 62 | 10 |
| 131= | Capcocapco.com | 36 | 36 | 62 | 10 |
| 131= | Guidehouseguidehouse.com | 36 | 36 | 63 | 8 |
| 131= | UHYuhy.com | 36 | 43 | 56 | 8 |
| 134= | DNVdnv.com | 35 | 47 | 50 | 8 |
| 134= | Heidrick & Strugglesheidrick.com/en | 35 | 29 | 62 | 13 |
| 134= | Swecosweco.com | 35 | 34 | 63 | 8 |
| 137= | Arcadisarcadis.com/en | 34 | 34 | 59 | 8 |
| 137= | Hayshays.com | 34 | 43 | 50 | 10 |
| 139= | BDObdo.global/en-gb/home | 33 | 31 | 58 | 10 |
| 139= | NERA Economic Consultingnera.com | 33 | 30 | 61 | 8 |
| 139= | PKF Internationalpkf.com | 33 | 31 | 60 | 8 |
| 142= | Aureconaurecongroup.com | 23 | 28 | 34 | 8 |
| 142= | Foster + Partnersfosterandpartners.com | 23 | 26 | 34 | 8 |
| 144 | Russell Reynolds Associatesrussellreynolds.com/error.html?aspxerrorpath= | 22 | 24 | 34 | 8 |
Download this edition: the full field as a spreadsheet (CSV), or the same run as JSON. Licensed CC BY 4.0, so it is yours to publish and build on with attribution. Every unreadable site carries empty score cells, never a zero.
This is the fixed 2026 edition, pinned to the scan measured 1 October 2026, so the figures on it do not change. The live field, re-run on the first of each month, is on the current Professional Services benchmark. For how the score is built, see the methodology.
Licensed CC BY 4.0. Cite as: The Crane Index™, UK Professional Services AI readability 2026, The Crane Consultancy, measured 1 October 2026. https://thecraneconsultancy.com/research/professional-services-ai-readability-2026/