You’ve put in the work to get your business ranking on Google. Maybe you’re sitting on page one for your main keywords. That used to be enough.
But here’s the thing. Google has changed what page one looks like.
If you’ve searched for anything recently, you’ve probably noticed a new box at the top of the results. It’s an AI-generated summary that answers the question before anyone scrolls down. Google calls it an AI Overview, and it’s showing up on a huge number of searches.
On top of that, more and more people are skipping Google altogether and asking ChatGPT or Perplexity for recommendations instead. According to BrightLocal’s 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey, 45% of consumers now use ChatGPT or other generative AI tools to find local businesses (BrightLocal, 2026).
If your business isn’t showing up in these AI-powered results, you’re becoming invisible to a growing number of potential customers.
What Are AI Overviews and Why Should You Care?
When someone searches for a service or asks a question, Google now generates an AI summary right at the top of the page. This summary pulls information from websites, Google Business Profiles, reviews, and directories to give the searcher a quick answer.
The problem? Most people don’t scroll past it.
Research from SparkToro found that 68% of Google searches in 2026 now end without a single click to any website (SparkToro, June 2026). That means two out of three people get what they need from the AI summary and move on.
For any service business, this changes the game. It’s no longer just about ranking on page one. It’s about being the business that Google’s AI chooses to reference.
How ChatGPT Is Changing Local Search
It’s not just Google. A growing number of people are asking ChatGPT directly for recommendations instead of running a traditional search.
And ChatGPT doesn’t work like Google. It doesn’t show you a list of ten blue links. It gives you a direct recommendation, often naming specific businesses, with a brief explanation of why it chose them.
Here’s where it gets interesting. ChatGPT pulls its recommendations from your website content, reviews, directory listings, and mentions across the web. But the information it finds doesn’t always match what’s on your Google Business Profile. That means if your details are inconsistent across the web, AI tools might skip you entirely or, worse, show the wrong information.
The good news is that this is fixable. And most of your competitors haven’t started yet.
Why Most Local Businesses Are Missing Out
Here’s the real opportunity. The vast majority of local businesses have no active strategy to appear in AI search results. That means the window to get ahead is wide open.
The businesses that start optimising for AI search now will have a significant head start. And there’s a real reward for showing up. Being cited in a Google AI Overview doesn’t just give you visibility. It sends noticeably more people to your website than a standard search listing does.
Five Things You Can Do to Show Up in AI Search
You don’t need to be a tech expert to start. Here are five practical steps any local business can take.
1. Get Your Google Business Profile in Order
This is still the single most important thing you can do. Make sure every field is filled out. Your business name, address, phone number, categories, services, hours, and description should all be complete and accurate.
Google’s AI pulls directly from your Business Profile. If it’s half-finished or out of date, the AI has less to work with and is less likely to feature you.
2. Make Your Details Consistent Everywhere
AI tools cross-reference your information across multiple sources. Your website, Google Business Profile, Facebook page, Yellow Pages listing, and any industry directories should all show the same business name, address, and phone number.
If your mobile number is different on your website than it is on your Google listing, AI systems notice. Consistency builds trust with these tools.
3. Answer the Questions Your Customers Actually Ask
Think about the questions you get asked every week. How much does a job like this cost? What areas do you service? How long does it take?
Write clear, direct answers to those questions on your website. Use them as headings. AI tools are looking for content that directly answers real questions, not vague marketing copy.
A dedicated FAQ page or service-specific pages that address common questions can make a big difference.
4. Build Up Your Reviews
AI tools pay attention to reviews. Businesses with more recent, positive reviews are more likely to be recommended. Make it part of your process to ask happy customers for a Google review.
It’s not just about the number of reviews. Recency matters. A business with 20 reviews from the last three months looks more trustworthy to AI than one with 50 reviews that are all two years old.
5. Say What You Do and Where You Do It, Clearly
AI reads your website looking for straightforward statements about your services and service areas. Specific, plain language helps AI understand what you offer and where you offer it.
Vague copy like “we deliver quality solutions for your home” gives AI nothing to work with. Be specific. Be clear. Make sure your service pages spell out what you do in a way that a machine can easily understand.
How Insight Digital Co Can Help
This shift towards AI search is already happening, and it will only grow. The businesses that adapt now will be the ones customers find first, whether they’re searching on Google, asking ChatGPT, or using any other AI tool.
If you’re not sure where your business stands with AI search, that’s completely normal. Most businesses haven’t looked at this yet. But that’s exactly why now is the time to start.
At Insight Digital Co, we help trades and service businesses across the Sutherland Shire get found online. That includes making sure your business is set up to appear in AI search results, not just traditional Google rankings.
If you’re not sure whether your digital marketing is keeping up with these changes, let’s have a chat.
A free discovery call takes 20 minutes and gives you a clear picture of where you stand and what’s worth focusing on.
