If you’ve Googled anything recently, you’ve probably noticed the AI-generated answer box that appears before the regular search results. Google calls these “AI Overviews,” and they’re changing the game for local businesses.

What AI Overviews Look Like

When someone searches “best roofer in San Antonio for storm damage,” Google no longer just shows a list of websites. Instead, it generates a paragraph recommending 2-3 businesses, explains why they’re good, and links to their profiles.

The businesses mentioned in the AI Overview get clicks. The businesses below it often don’t.

According to a study by Authoritas, pages that appear in AI Overviews get 2-3x more clicks than pages at the same position without an AI mention. But pages that are NOT in the overview see their clicks drop by up to 64%.

How Google Decides Which Businesses to Feature

Google’s AI doesn’t randomly pick businesses. It prioritizes:

Strong Google Business Profiles. Complete profiles with updated descriptions, 20+ photos, regular Google Posts, and accurate business hours. Incomplete profiles get skipped.

Review volume and quality. Businesses with 50+ reviews and consistent 4.5+ star ratings are featured more often. The AI specifically references review content — if multiple reviews mention “storm damage repair,” you’re more likely to appear for that query.

Helpful website content. Detailed pages that answer the specific question being asked. A page titled “Storm Damage Roof Repair in San Antonio — Cost, Timeline, and Process” is exactly what the AI wants to cite.

Consistent citations. Your name, address, and phone number matching across Google, Yelp, BBB, and industry directories. Inconsistency makes the AI less confident about recommending you.

What This Means for Your Business

You have an advantage — Google’s AI tends to pull from businesses it already trusts. But don’t assume it’ll last. AI Overviews are a new ranking factor, and businesses that optimize for them specifically will eventually overtake those that don’t.

If you’re struggling to get visibility

AI Overviews actually create new opportunities. A business with a great blog post answering a specific question can appear in AI Overviews even if their website doesn’t rank on page 1 for traditional search. The AI prioritizes helpfulness over domain authority.

If you’re paying for ads

AI Overviews appear above ads for many queries. This means the real estate your ads used to own now has an AI answer sitting on top. You may need to increase bids or shift strategy toward the content and reviews that earn AI placement.

Three Things to Do This Week

  1. Update your Google Business Profile description. Use all 750 characters. Mention your city, specific services, and what makes you different. This is what the AI reads first.

  2. Ask your last 5 customers for a review. Specifically ask them to mention the type of work you did. “John replaced our AC unit quickly” gives Google more specific content to work with than “Great service.”

  3. Write one helpful page on your website. Pick the question your customers ask most and write a 500+ word answer. “How much does AC replacement cost in San Antonio?” or “What to do when your roof is leaking.” Detailed, honest answers are exactly what AI Overviews want to cite.

Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore It

AI Overviews aren’t replacing traditional search — they’re layering on top of it. The businesses that adapt will get more visibility. The businesses that ignore it will gradually lose ground.

The good news: everything that helps with AI Overviews also helps with traditional Google search. Better content, more reviews, and a complete GBP listing benefit you everywhere.

Want to see how your business currently appears to AI? Run a free audit — it checks the factors Google’s AI uses to decide who to recommend.