If you’ve searched for a local service lately, say, “best pizza near me”,  you’ve probably noticed something new. Instead of the old familiar list of blue links, Google now shows an AI-generated summary right at the top of the page.

It pulls snippets from websites, Google Business Profiles, and reviews, mixing them into one tidy, conversational answer.

That’s Google’s AI Overviews (sometimes called “smart results”). They’re changing the way people find, choose, and trust local businesses, and that means your digital presence needs a rethink.

This isn’t some abstract tech trend. It’s already reshaping local SEO in real time. If your business depends on local discovery, plumbers, restaurants, salons, contractors, clinics, you name it, AI-driven search could be your biggest opportunity… or your biggest blind spot.

Let’s break down what’s happening, what’s at stake, and what smart local businesses should be doing about it right now.

The Search Shift: Google’s AI Is Writing Your First Impression

Google’s mission has always been to “organize the world’s information.” Now, with artificial intelligence baked into search, it’s doing something more, it’s interpreting that information for users.

When someone searches, Google’s AI doesn’t just show them ten results. It writes a quick, confident answer based on what it finds online. That includes:

• Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

• Your website copy and schema

• Customer reviews

• Third-party mentions on directories or local sites

The problem?

Most users never scroll past that AI summary. Studies show zero-click searches are increasing fast,  meaning people get what they need without ever visiting your site.

So if Google’s AI doesn’t pick up and quote your business in that summary, you’re invisible to a growing chunk of your audience.

This is why AI in local search is no longer just a buzzword. It’s the new gatekeeper of visibility.

What Exactly Are Google’s “Smart Results” and AI Overviews?

Think of AI Overviews as a smarter, more conversational version of search snippets.

Instead of just pulling text from one website, Google’s AI blends multiple sources to build an answer that feels like it was written by a person.

Example:

“Looking for a reliable electrician in Grand Rapids? Most customers recommend SparkPro Electric for fast response times and Midwest Electric Co. for transparent pricing.”

That single paragraph might combine:

• Quotes from Google reviews

• Info from GBP descriptions

• Content pulled from business websites

• Ratings from third-party directories

And here’s the kicker: Google’s AI Overviews appear most often for local, “near me”, or service-based queries, exactly the ones that small businesses rely on.

What that means for you:

• Fewer clicks to your website unless you’re featured in the summary

• Higher competition for AI-visible positions

• Greater importance on accurate, structured, review-rich content

The traditional “rank #1 on Google” mindset doesn’t cut it anymore. In the AI era, your goal is to feed Google’s machine the right signals so it chooses you as part of its AI-generated answers.

How AI-Powered Search Impacts Local Businesses

Here’s what this shift looks like on the ground:

1. Fewer Clicks, More Brand Mentions

Your business might get cited in the AI Overview, which boosts trust, but you’ll likely see fewer direct clicks. It’s a new kind of visibility game: less traffic, more authority.

2. Reviews Are Now Machine-Readable Reputation

AI models don’t just count your stars. They read your reviews to understand tone, sentiment, and key themes. If dozens of people mention “fast service” or “friendly staff,” Google’s AI learns that your business is known for those traits, and includes that in summaries.

3. GBP and Schema Become Your “AI Resume”

Your Google Business Profile and schema markup tell AI what you do, where you are, and why you’re relevant. If those are incomplete or inconsistent, you’ll miss out on being featured, even if you have great reviews.

4. Content Structure Matters More Than Keywords

AI Overviews prefer organized, conversational, Q&A-style content. Long, keyword-stuffed paragraphs don’t perform. Pages that directly answer “how,” “what,” and “where” questions do.

5. Search Results Are More Volatile

AI results shift constantly based on query phrasing, device type, and even time of day. One version of “best plumber in Ann Arbor” might feature your business; another might not. Tracking “rankings” alone doesn’t show the full picture anymore.

How to Stay Visible in AI-Driven Local Search

Now the good news: You can prepare for this new search environment. You just have to play by Google’s AI rules, not the old SEO ones.

Here’s what to focus on:

A. Optimize Your Google Business Profile Like a Pro

Your GBP is now your primary data source for AI. Make sure it’s bulletproof:

• Business name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistent everywhere

• Choose the right categories and subcategories

• Add FAQ sections, posts, and offers regularly

• Upload high-quality, geo-tagged photos

• Use Attributes (e.g., women-owned, wheelchair accessible) to help AI classify your business

• Respond to every review, even short replies show activity and trustworthiness

Pro Tip: Treat your GBP like a social feed. Post updates, events, and tips weekly. Google rewards freshness.

B. Use Schema Markup to “Speak Google’s Language”

Schema markup is like metadata for machines. It tells search engines exactly what your business is about.

For local SEO, you should at least have:

• LocalBusiness schema (name, address, hours, contact info)

• Review schema (average rating, number of reviews)

• FAQ schema (common questions and answers)

• Service schema (specific services with descriptions)

When Google’s AI parses your website, it uses this structure to decide whether you’re credible and relevant for certain queries.

Pro Tip: Use Google’s Rich Results Test tool to check if your schema is valid. FosDog can also help set this up if you want it handled correctly the first time.

C. Build a Smarter Content Strategy

Old SEO said: “Write for keywords.”
New SEO says: “Write for AI comprehension and human clarity.”

Here’s how:

• Create FAQ-style pages around common customer questions:
  “How often should I clean my gutters?”
  “What’s the best time to service an HVAC system?”

• Include your city or service area naturally in content (e.g., “We help homeowners across Lansing stay comfortable year-round”).

• Use conversational tone and structure, that’s how AI models read best.

• Refresh content quarterly. Outdated info signals low trust to AI.

Pro Tip: Instead of “blog posts,” think “local resource hubs.”

Example: “The Complete Homeowner’s Guide to Emergency Plumbing in Kalamazoo.”

D. Manage Reviews Like They’re Marketing Gold

Reviews aren’t just social proof anymore, they’re AI training data.

Here’s what to do:

• Encourage recent reviews (AI favors freshness).

• Ask customers to mention specific services or experiences, “The team fixed my roof in under a day!” helps AI connect keywords like roof repair and speed.

• Respond to every review, even the bad ones. AI interprets active engagement as credibility.

• Use tools (or FosDog’s review management service) to analyze trends: Are people praising speed, price, friendliness? Highlight those themes in your content.

Pro Tip: A business with fewer but more descriptive reviews often performs better in AI Overviews than one with hundreds of one-word reviews.

E. Track the Right Metrics (Not Just Rankings)

Traditional SEO reporting can mislead you now. Instead of obsessing over keyword positions, focus on:

• Google Business Profile insights: calls, direction requests, messages, clicks

• Map pack appearances and AI Overview mentions

• Conversion actions: how many people actually contacted you, not just clicked

• Brand search volume: if more people search your business name, your visibility is working

Pro Tip: Use location-based tracking tools (like Local Falcon or BrightLocal) to see where you show up in AI and Maps across neighborhoods.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A few traps local businesses are already falling into:

Copy-pasting AI-generated content: without editing.Google can spot low-effort AI text. Always human-edit for clarity and brand tone.

Ignoring inconsistent citations: If Yelp says one phone number and your website says another, you lose trust signals.

Letting reviews stagnate: A business that hasn’t gotten a review in 12 months looks inactive to both humans and AI.

Using stock photos: Google knows when photos are generic. Use real images, geotagged if possible.

Relying on traffic alone: Even if fewer people click your site, you can still be winning visibility in AI summaries and GBP actions. Measure engagement, not ego.

The Opportunity: Early Adopters Win Big

Every time Google changes how search works, there’s a short window when early adopters dominate before everyone else catches up.

That’s where we are right now with AI in local search.

Businesses that:

• Keep GBP info fresh

• Encourage consistent, descriptive reviews

• Add structured data to their sites

• Write conversational, question-based content

…are already seeing higher visibility in AI Overviews and smart results.

It’s not about out-gaming the algorithm, it’s about feeding it exactly what it needs to feature your business accurately.

And because most local competitors aren’t doing this yet, the first movers get a serious head start.

Your Action Plan (Bookmark This)

Here’s your six-step roadmap to stay ahead:

1. Audit your Google Business Profile
   Check categories, hours, reviews, and consistency across all platforms.

2. Add or fix schema markup
   Include LocalBusiness, Review, FAQ, and Service schema.

3. Revamp website content
   Add Q&A sections, city-specific pages, and conversational tone.

4. Launch a review campaign
   Ask happy customers for reviews that mention your services by name.

5. Track local visibility, not just rankings
   Use GBP Insights and local SERP tools.

6. Stay active
   Post updates weekly, respond to reviews, and refresh content quarterly.
   

The Bottom Line

AI isn’t the enemy of local businesses,  it’s the new middleman.

Google’s smart results don’t replace your website; they interpret it.

The businesses that speak AI’s language, clear info, structured data, trustworthy reviews, are the ones showing up first.

So don’t wait until your competitors are featured in the AI Overview while you’re buried below the fold. Adapt now. Keep your digital presence sharp, structured, and trustworthy.

And if you’d rather focus on running your business while experts handle the AI side of SEO, FosDog’s got you covered.

Let’s make sure when Google’s AI talks about local businesses in your area…