Since May 2024, Google has shown AI Overviews to search users in the United States. For many questions, an AI-written summary now sits at the top of the results, with links to the sources it drew from.
What changes for businesses
For simple informational questions, some people now get their answer without clicking through to a website. That can mean fewer visits to general “how-to” content, even when you rank well.
What hasn’t changed
When people are ready to hire someone, such as “emergency plumber near me” or “web designer in Aurora,” local results, Google Business Profiles and reviews are still front and center. Being the obvious, trustworthy local choice matters more than ever.
How to stay visible
- Answer real customer questions clearly. Pages that give direct, specific answers are more likely to be cited.
- Show real expertise. Share your experience, your process, photos of your work and the people behind the business.
- Keep your Google Business Profile complete and active. Reviews, photos and posts all help.
- Use structured data. Schema markup helps search engines understand your business, services and FAQs.
- Measure leads, not just traffic. Track calls and form submissions, which tell you more than visit counts.
The bottom line
Search keeps changing, but the fundamentals hold: a fast, helpful website and a strong local presence. We build both into every project.