AI Is Changing Local Search—Here’s How to Keep Your Business Visible

The way people find local businesses is evolving. Google Maps and the local pack are still central to how customers discover businesses nearby. But now, Google has added another layer on top of that: AI Overviews. These AI-generated summaries often appear before traditional map results or links, giving users a quick answer before they even click.

For local businesses, this shift doesn’t mean choosing between Maps visibility and AI visibility — they’re connected. Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP), building authoritative content, and ensuring strong technical SEO all work together. The same improvements that boost your Maps rankings — like accurate business info, strong reviews, and local signals — also increase your chances of showing up in AI Overviews.

In short, the better your business performs in local search, the better positioned you are to win in both Maps and AI-generated results.

What Are AI Overviews?

AI Overviews, formerly known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), are Google’s newest feature for delivering information. Instead of simply listing links, Google’s AI scans multiple sources, websites, reviews, articles, forums, and even social media, to generate a concise, AI-written answer box at the top of the search page.

For example, if someone searches “best Italian restaurant near me”, the AI Overview may pull from local review sites, Google Maps, menu data, and even Reddit conversations to produce a quick summary of top options. This box appears before traditional search results, pushing organic listings further down the page.

For local businesses, this means visibility isn’t just about ranking in the local pack anymore, you now need to be included in the sources Google’s AI is drawing from.

How AI Overviews Affect Local Search

AI Overviews are game-changing for local SEO. Here’s how they’re shaking things up:

1. Shifting Visibility

Since AI Overviews often sit at the very top of search results, they can take up a huge portion of screen space, especially on mobile. That means traditional organic results and even the local pack may get fewer clicks.

2. Changing User Behavior

AI Overviews give users answers immediately. Instead of scrolling through reviews or visiting multiple sites, many searchers will simply trust the summary. Google claims that links included in AI Overviews still get clicks, but competition for that real estate is tighter than ever.

3. Relevance Over Proximity

Traditional local search often prioritizes proximity (businesses nearest to the searcher). AI Overviews, however, focus more on relevance and authority. If your business isn’t the closest but has stronger reviews, better online content, or broader mentions across the web, you may still be featured.

4. Expanded Information Sources

AI doesn’t just pull from GBPs. It scans a wide variety of sources, your website, social media, YouTube videos, local blogs, review sites, and even online forums like Reddit. This creates both opportunity and risk: your reputation across multiple platforms matters more than ever.

Where AI Overviews Pull Information From

Understanding where Google’s AI is pulling data is critical to ensuring your business shows up. Sources include:

• Your website: Structured, clear content (like menus, services, FAQs, and schema markup) helps AI identify your business.

• Google Business Profile (GBP): Core details like your name, hours, reviews, and photos remain foundational.

• Review platforms: Yelp, TripAdvisor, and industry-specific directories often feed into AI summaries.

• Social media: Active Facebook and Instagram pages can be cited in AI Overviews.

• YouTube: As a Google-owned platform, video reviews or business walkthroughs have high visibility.

• Local blogs/news outlets: Mentions in community blogs or news sites can boost authority.

• Online forums: Places like Reddit are surprisingly influential, often cited for recommendations.

In other words, local visibility is no longer limited to just your GBP and website, it’s now multi-channel.

Google Business Profiles in the AI Era

While AI Overviews pull from multiple places, your Google Business Profile remains the hub of local SEO. Here’s how AI is directly shaping GBP visibility:

AI-Generated Menu Summaries

Google is testing AI-generated menu summaries for restaurants. Instead of users scrolling through a full menu, AI highlights popular dishes or key details. Restaurants should ensure their menus are accurate and well-structured in Maps/Search to take advantage of this feature.

“Ask for Me” Feature

Through Google Search Labs, Google is experimenting with a feature where AI can call businesses on behalf of users to ask about availability, pricing, or services. For example, someone searching for a nail salon may let AI “Ask for Me” to confirm prices or appointment availability. Business owners can opt out of this in GBP settings, but it’s a sign of where local AI integration is heading.

Auto-Suggested Edits

AI is also making more frequent “suggested edits” to GBPs, sometimes pulling data from third-party sources. If left unmonitored, this can lead to inaccurate information showing up on your profile.

The bottom line: GBPs are still very essential to your business, however, they must be actively managed and kept consistent with the rest of your online presence.

Strategies to Keep Your Business Visible in AI-Powered Local Search

So, what can you do to stay ahead? Here are actionable strategies:

1. Optimize Your Website for AI + SEO

AI Overviews lean heavily on structured, clear, and useful web content. Add FAQs, schema markup, menus, services, and localized content to your site. This helps AI recognize your business as an authority.

2. Keep Your GBP Updated and Active

Double down on the basics: accurate hours, updated photos, engaging business descriptions, and category optimization. Regular posts and Q&A updates also signal activity.

3. Prioritize Reviews Across Platforms

Encourage happy customers to leave reviews not just on Google but also on Yelp, Facebook, and niche directories. AI looks across all review sources to build its summaries.

4. Expand Your Social Presence

AI Overviews frequently cite social media pages. Make sure your Facebook and Instagram are updated with current content, hours, and engagement.

5. Invest in Local Content & PR

Get featured in local blogs, sponsor community events, or earn press mentions. AI often favors third-party credibility when highlighting local businesses.

6. Create Video Content

Leverage YouTube for customer testimonials, business tours, or how-to videos related to your services. Video content has a higher chance of being cited directly in AI results.

7. Prepare for New Features

If you’re a restaurant, make sure your menu data is accurate for AI summaries. For service businesses, decide whether you want to participate in “Ask for Me.” Stay ahead of these experiments so you’re not caught off guard.

8. Monitor AI Overview Visibility

Tools like Local Falcon are beginning to track how businesses appear in AI Overviews. Monitoring your inclusion helps you understand where you stand and how to improve.

The Bigger Picture

AI is not replacing local search, it’s reshaping it. Instead of focusing on just one platform, businesses must think holistically. Your visibility now depends on your presence across Google Business Profiles, your website, review platforms, social media, and even community content.

This shift may feel overwhelming, but it also levels the playing field. Businesses that commit to accuracy, authority, and engagement across channels can thrive, even against larger competitors.

AI Overviews represent the future of local search. They provide users with faster, more curated answers, and for businesses, they present both challenges and opportunities.

To stay visible:

• Treat your GBP as your central hub, but don’t stop there.

• Build a strong, multi-platform reputation.

• Keep content accurate, engaging, and structured for AI.

By adapting now, your business won’t just survive these AI-driven changes—you’ll stand out as a trusted, visible choice in your community.

Need help adjusting your online presence for the AI era of local search? At Reinstate Labs, we specialize in keeping Google Business Profiles active, optimized, and compliant, while also helping businesses tailor their digital strategy to these evolving search trends. Contact us today to ensure your business stays visible, relevant, and ahead of the curve.