You didn’t change anything.
Your website is still up. You’re still posting on social media. You’re doing what you’ve always done.
But lately, the phone isn’t ringing as much. Website traffic feels a little slower. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something changed.
Here’s what happened: Google did.
After helping Columbus businesses navigate every major shift in digital marketing over the past 25 plus years, I’ve watched Google change the rules more times than I can count. The businesses that understand what’s happening, and adapt, stay visible. The ones that don’t get passed over.
One of the changes happening in search at the moment is something called Google AI Overviews. Many small business owners in Columbus and across the Chattahoochee Valley are not aware of how this impacts their business.
Let me explain what it is, why it matters, and most importantly, what you can do today to make sure your business doesn’t get left out.
What Are Google AI Overviews?
Google AI Overviews (you may have seen them called GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization) are AI-generated summaries that now appear at the top of Google search results.
When someone types a question into Google, instead of just showing a list of links, Google’s AI reads dozens of websites and writes a short answer right there on the page. It answers the question before the searcher ever has to click anything.
Imagine a friend who reads a lot of online content and seems to “know everything” and gives you a great summary whenever you ask a question. That’s what Google’s AI is doing now, and it’s doing it for your customers.
The problem is that the summary might includes local businesses, but not like the map pack. And the ones that don’t get shown are invisible.
Why This Matters for Your Columbus Business
According to a 2026 study by Local Falcon, Google AI Overviews now trigger on over 40% of local business searches. And compared to traditional Google map results, 32% fewer local businesses are showing up in those AI-generated answers.
This means that when an AI Overview appears at the top of the page, click-through rates for organic results drop by about 18%. People are getting their answers from the AI summary and never scrolling down to your listing. The result is referred to as zero-click search. The users get the answer to their question, you don’t get cited or traffic.
For a Columbus restaurant, a Phenix City contractor, or a LaGrange retail shop, that’s a real drop in visibility and traffic. And most business owners have no idea it’s happening.
Who Is Google’s AI Choosing?
Google’s AI cites businesses and sources based on a variety of factors. It favors the ones that have given it the clearest, most complete information to work with. That means businesses with:
- A fully completed and active Google Business Profile
- A website with structured schema markup (code that helps Google understand exactly what your business does)
- Content that directly answers common customer questions
- Consistent, accurate local business citations across the web
We’ve seen this firsthand with some of our longtime clients. The Kim Mixon Real Estate Team here in Columbus has been investing in consistent, long-term digital marketing for years. That consistency is paying off. Their business is being cited in AI-generated search results. They didn’t do anything special for AI Overviews specifically. They just stayed consistent over time, and Google’s AI recognized them as a trustworthy local source.
The businesses getting passed over are the ones with outdated profiles, incomplete website information, or no consistent content at all.
4 Things You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to overhaul everything. But you do need to make a few important updates. Here’s where to start.
1. Complete Your Google Business Profile, All the Way
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most important free tools available to your business.
Go through every section: hours, services, phone number, website, photos, description, and business categories. Make sure everything is accurate and up to date. Add photos regularly. Respond to reviews.
Google’s AI pulls heavily from Business Profiles that are fully filled out and active. A half-finished profile is almost invisible in AI search.
2. Add Schema Markup to Your Website
Schema markup is a small piece of code that you add to your website. It tells Google exactly what your business is, where it’s located, what services you offer, and how to contact you.
You don’t have to write the code yourself. That’s something your web team can handle. But it makes a significant difference in whether Google’s AI understands your business well enough to include it in search summaries.
If you’re not sure whether your site has schema markup, ask your developer, or give us a call. It’s a quick thing to check.
3. Publish Content That Answers Real Questions
Google’s AI is looking for clear, direct answers to the questions your customers are actually searching for.
Think about the questions people ask you all the time. “What does a fractional marketing team do?” “How much does a small business website cost?” “Do I need local SEO if I already have a Google Business Profile?”
Write a blog post or FAQ page that answers those questions in plain language. Short paragraphs. Clear answers. No jargon.
This is exactly the kind of content that gets pulled into AI Overviews, because Google’s AI is designed to find the clearest answer to a question, not the fanciest website.
4. Make Sure Your Business Information Is Consistent Everywhere
Google’s AI cross-references your business information across dozens of sources: your website, your Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, local directories, and more.
If your phone number is different on your website than it is on Yelp, that inconsistency creates confusion. Google’s AI is less likely to trust, or feature, a business whose information doesn’t match up across the web.
Audit your listings. Fix the discrepancies. Consistency is one of the simplest signals of trust you can give Google.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the honest truth: Google is not done changing.
AI Overviews are expanding. Search results are going to keep evolving. The businesses that show up in this new landscape won’t be the ones who panic. They’ll be the ones who take steady, consistent action.
After 25 years helping small businesses grow online, that’s the pattern I keep seeing. The businesses that stay visible through every algorithm change aren’t doing anything magic. They’re just staying consistent: keeping their information current, publishing content regularly, and building a trustworthy digital presence over time.
That’s not a one-time project. It’s an ongoing partnership.
If you’re not sure where your business stands right now, that’s the right place to start. Our digital marketing services include a full audit of your local search presence, so you can see exactly what Google’s AI sees when it looks at your business.
Technology should serve you, not confuse you. And the right partner makes all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Google AI Overview?
A Google AI Overview is an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of Google search results. Instead of just showing links, Google’s AI reads multiple sources and writes a short answer for the searcher, often before they click on anything.
Will Google AI Overviews replace regular search results?
Not entirely. Traditional search results, maps, and local listings still appear below AI Overviews. But the AI summary gets prime real estate at the top of the page, which means fewer people scroll down to the traditional results.
How do I know if my business is showing up in Google AI Overviews?
Search for the types of questions your customers might ask, for example “best HVAC company in Columbus GA” or “local web design agency near Phenix City.” If your business appears in the AI-generated summary at the top, you’re in good shape. If you only appear in the map pack or organic listings below, there’s room to improve.
Does my Google Business Profile really affect AI Overviews?
Yes, significantly. Google pulls information from Business Profiles when building local AI summaries. A complete, active, and accurate profile is one of the strongest signals you can give Google’s AI.
How long does it take to see results from these changes?
Every business is different, but most of the steps outlined here, including completing your Business Profile and fixing citation inconsistencies, can have an effect within a few weeks to a couple of months. Schema markup and content publishing tend to compound over time.
Do I need to hire someone to do this, or can I handle it myself?
Some of it, like updating your Business Profile, you can do yourself today. Schema markup and structured content strategy are areas where having an experienced partner makes the work faster and more effective.
Is local SEO still worth investing in?
More than ever. The businesses showing up in AI Overviews are the ones with strong local SEO foundations. This isn’t a reason to abandon SEO. It’s a reason to make sure you’re doing it right.
Schedule a call and get clarity. We’ll take an honest look at where your business stands in local search, including where you stand with AI Overviews, and tell you exactly what needs to change.
