I’ve been writing SEO content since 2019. I’ve watched the SERPs change over the years. Back then, getting into the featured snippet was a major goal. Then came People Also Ask boxes and the Knowledge Panel.
But AI Overviews are different.
They don’t just push organic results down the page. They answer questions, compare options and sometimes even recommend businesses before the user clicks anything.
For local businesses, that’s a major shift in how people find and choose services in their area. In this guide, I’ll look at how AI Overviews are changing local search and what businesses can do to stay visible as search continues to evolve.
What Are AI Overviews in Local Search?
AI Overviews are Google’s AI-generated answer summaries. They appear at the top of search results and can pull information from sources like:
- Web pages
- Directories
- Reviews
- Business profiles
- Other pieces of content
They present an answer directly within the search results page.
For informational queries, the AI Overview usually includes a summary of facts, steps or recommendations.
For local queries, it can be a list of recommended businesses, restaurants or services. The AI may cite the sources it pulls from alongside the answer, either on the side or below the summary.
Google explains AI Overviews as AI-generated snapshots that help users find information faster, with links for people who want to dig deeper. For site owners, Google’s guidance on AI features and websites is also worth reading because it shows how Google frames AI Overviews inside search.
How Often Do AI Overviews Appear in Local Search?
AI Overviews don’t appear for all types of local searches. The research in this area is still mixed.
According to an analysis of more than ten million keywords tracked between January and November 2025, AI Overviews appeared for around 6.49% of all queries in January 2025, peaked at 24.61% in July and pulled back to 15.69% in November.
So, Google has not rolled out AI Overviews evenly or steadily across every type of query.
When it comes to local intent, AI Overviews are more likely to appear for searches like “how to find a service” or “best business type in city.” Traditional searches like “plumber near me” still often trigger the Local Map Pack without an AI Overview, as in this case:
AI Overviews still don’t appear for every local search, but they are becoming harder to ignore. As Google expands AI-generated answers, local businesses should expect them to play a larger role in how people discover information online.
What’s Actually Changing for Local Businesses
Organic Clicks Are Down on Queries Where AI Overviews Appear
According to Ahrefs’ research, AI Overviews reduce organic click-through rates for the number-one ranking position by around 58%.
Although the research points to a general drop in CTRs, this matters for local businesses too. Blog posts, location pages and informational content can take a serious hit when AI answers satisfy part of the search before someone clicks.
Of course, the Local Pack itself is somewhat separate because it is its own SERP feature. But content-driven local traffic, where people land on your site after reading a blog post or guide, may become harder to win when AI Overviews appear above the organic results.
AI Tools Are Becoming a New Local Discovery Layer
It’s not just Google. People ask ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini for recommendations too.
Let’s say you’re a dentist in Houston. A potential customer may not only search Google for “dentist near me.” They may ask ChatGPT something like “What’s the best dental clinic in Houston?”
Or they may ask a more indirect question, such as “How much should dental treatment cost in Houston?”
These tools generate answers by pulling together information from multiple sources, including websites, reviews, directories, forums and other mentions. These recommendations are not based only on Google rankings.
If your business is missing from the sources AI tools rely on, you may be invisible to some of the people using those tools to research local services.
Citations and Mentions Matter for AI Visibility
AI systems build confidence by pulling information from multiple sources.
If your business appears consistently across directories, review platforms and relevant websites, it becomes easier for AI tools to understand who you are and what you do. That doesn’t guarantee a recommendation, but it helps establish trust and credibility.
By the way, isn’t that already the case with your Google Business Profile and organic rankings? Consistent NAP reinforces your legitimacy as a business.
So, if you’re already doing the basics right, you don’t need to completely change your approach.
What Local Businesses Should Actually Do About This
Almost everything that works for GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, is already in the local SEO playbook.
So, if you want to build a solid presence overall, following good SEO fundamentals becomes even more important.
1. Keep Your Google Business Profile Fully Optimized and Active
Google Business Profile is still the pillar of local SEO. It contains many of the core pieces of information about your business that Google and AI platforms can use.
A complete, active and up-to-date Google Business Profile with services, photos, hours and descriptions gives search systems better information to pull from.
And it’s not like GBP is going anywhere. It is still one of the most valuable assets for local businesses.
Optimizing your Google Business Profile means improving your chances of appearing in the Map Pack, which is the top set of local business results for many local searches. A complete and accurate profile can also support your visibility in AI-driven search experiences.
Google also recommends keeping your Business Profile information accurate and up to date, including address, hours, contact information and photos.
2. Earn Reviews Consistently Because They Feed Recommendations
Reviews provide valuable signals about reputation, service quality and customer experience. While we still don’t know exactly how every AI system weighs reviews, it seems reasonable to assume that review volume, ratings and review content all contribute to how businesses are understood and compared.
But if your profile already has a lot of reviews, does that mean you should stop getting more? Absolutely not.
A steady flow of recent reviews matters more than a large batch of old ones. BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey 2025 is a useful reminder that reviews still shape how people evaluate local businesses.
You should build review generation into your workflow. Time it within 24 to 48 hours of completing the job, when the experience is still fresh. And don’t leave reviews unanswered, whether they are positive or negative.
3. Structure Your Content for AI Citation
A few qualities can make your content easier for AI Overviews and AI tools to understand:
- Answer the question directly within the first 100 words
- Use clear H2 and H3 headings that match how people search
- Include short paragraphs and bullet points where appropriate
- Provide specific, useful information rather than generic overviews
- Keep your content recent or recently updated
So, in many cases, it still comes down to good content with a clear structure.
Google’s own guidance on optimizing for generative AI features in Search also points back to many familiar SEO basics. Helpful content, technical accessibility, clear page structure and trustworthy information still matter.
4. Target Conversational, Long-Tail Queries
People don’t always search the same way they used to. When using AI tools, they often ask complete questions rather than typing a few keywords.
And even before AI tools became popular, long-tail queries were already known to attract high-intent audiences. And let’s face it: they’re often easier to rank for than shorter keywords.
So, there are multiple benefits to targeting longer phrases and questions. For instance, “Who’s the best mobile mechanic in Birmingham for diesel engines?” is more specific than “mobile mechanic Birmingham.”
If your content directly answers that kind of specific question, it has a better chance of being useful to both searchers and AI-driven results.
5. Keep Your Information Consistent Across the Web
Your business information should remain consistent across the web. It’s not just about AI answers; it’s also about doing the basics right.
Consistency builds credibility. AI systems, organic results and Map Pack rankings all rely on clear business information.
NAP simply means your business’s name, address and phone number. But you should also keep other details consistent, including business hours, services and website URLs.
The goal isn’t to build as many citations as possible. It is to appear on the most relevant platforms and make sure your information stays accurate.
If you haven’t done it already, an audit of your existing citations should be on your priority list.
6. Build Genuine Mentions in Relevant Places
Unstructured citations, such as mentions of your business in local news articles, industry blogs, community websites and relevant forums, can add useful context around your business.
These mentions help search engines and AI tools understand where your business fits locally and why it may be relevant.
Try to do this:
- Pursue local press coverage
- Sponsor community events
- Get featured in industry roundups
These strategies might seem slower than building directory listings, but they increasingly matter for both AI search and traditional local SEO.
This also connects to a broader shift in local SEO. As covered in Local SEO Pros Say Most Leads No Longer Come From Websites, many local customer actions now start inside Google’s own results, not on the website.
What Probably Won’t Help
Now that you know what works, let me briefly cover what you can skip. It’s important to focus your energy where it can actually make a difference.
Stuffing FAQ Schema: Google has reduced FAQ rich results in traditional search. Adding clear Q&A content can still help users and may help AI tools understand your content, but doing it only as a ranking tactic is not worth much these days.
Creating Thin Location Pages: You should create location pages if you serve multiple locations. But each page should have its own useful, specific content. Copying the same page and swapping the city name is not a real strategy.
My Take
Despite what you might hear about AI killing local search, the reality is more nuanced. People still use Google, and they still click through to websites. The Local Pack still drives a huge share of local actions.
What’s changing is the path people take before they contact a business. They might search Google, see an AI Overview, check the Local Pack and then visit the website. Or they might ask ChatGPT for a recommendation and then verify it on Google.
For a deeper look at why rankings alone no longer tell the full story, read Local SEO Is No Longer Just About Ranking First.
My view: most local businesses don’t need a separate AI visibility strategy. They need to do the fundamentals consistently.
AI Overviews are one new layer of local search, but they do not replace the basics. Our Local SEO Guides hub covers the fundamentals, from Google Business Profile and reviews to local keywords and ranking factors.
Keep your Google Business Profile strong, earn genuine google business reviews, maintain accurate citations and create useful content. AI Overviews may be changing how information is presented, but they haven’t replaced the foundations of local SEO.
If anything, they make those fundamentals even more important.
