Google's new AI Overviews are fundamentally changing how search works, creating an urgent challenge for local businesses and online marketers.

These AI-powered summaries answer questions directly on the results page, leading to a rise in “zero-click searches.”

This means far fewer visitors are clicking through to websites, threatening business models built on traditional SEO.

The old playbook of simply ranking high for keywords is quickly becoming obsolete.

To survive, businesses must now focus on becoming an undeniable authority that the AI trusts and cites.

Success requires creating content that demonstrates genuine, real-world experience and expertise (E-E-A-T).

For local businesses, meticulously managing your Google Business Profile and encouraging customer reviews is more critical than ever, as AI pulls information directly from these sources.

Adapting is not optional; it's essential for staying visible in this new AI-driven landscape.