Inside the research
The booking journey changes the answer
In this sample, 72% of answers named or cited a tour company. Viator appeared in 19 answers, Tripadvisor in 18 and GetYourGuide in 12. No private-guide marketplace was detected in the 64 answers. The count combines names in the response with cited sources; it is not a ranking of recommendation quality.
Look at the gaps by traveller and stage
Questions about hiring and checking guides were relatively rich in company names. Accessibility and stroller questions more often received practical advice without a named company. During and after the tour, official bodies and transport sources became more visible. These are directions to investigate, not proof that publishing a new page will win a mention.
What I would test next
Repeat the same prompts to measure variability, broaden small traveller groups and record follow-up answers. Keep mentions, citations and answer correctness separate. The companion method explains the prompt dimensions, sampling and scoring.