If you’ve noticed changes in how search results look lately—especially the appearance of longer summaries at the top of the page—you’re not imagining things. Google’s new AI Overviews are here, and they’re already reshaping the way people interact with search results.
As a business owner, especially in a competitive local market like Florida, it’s important to understand what AI Overviews are, how they affect organic visibility, and what you can do to stay ahead.
Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.
What Are Google AI Overviews?
AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE) are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of some search results. They aim to provide users with quick, synthesized answers to complex questions by pulling information from multiple sources across the web.
Here’s what makes them different:
- They appear above traditional organic listings
- They often include snippets from multiple websites
- Users may get the information they need without clicking to a website
- They’re most likely to appear on informational or comparison-based queries (e.g., “best types of roofing in Florida” or “how does AC maintenance work?”)
🧠 Think of it as Google’s AI giving users a “smart summary” pulled from the top sources it trusts.
How AI Overviews Impact Business Websites
AI Overviews introduce a major shift in how organic traffic flows. Here’s what’s changing—and what to watch:
1. Fewer Clicks on Traditional Listings
If Google answers a question directly with an AI Overview, users might not scroll further to click on individual websites—even if you rank on page one.
🔍 Example: A user searching “how much does it cost to replace a roof in Tampa?” might see an AI-generated summary quoting pricing ranges and materials—without clicking on any actual roofing websites.
2. Featured Websites Still Get Visibility
AI Overviews cite their sources—and if your content is included, you may get a link or brand mention directly inside the overview.
These “AI citations” are likely to become the new version of a featured snippet. And they can drive high-quality, high-intent traffic if your site is included.
3. Informational Content Becomes More Valuable
If you’ve only focused on service pages and ignored educational blog content, you may miss opportunities to be cited in AI Overviews. Google is prioritizing helpful, people-first content.
What Business Owners Should Focus On Right Now
AI Overviews don’t mean SEO is dead. But they do mean SEO is evolving. Here’s how to adjust your strategy:
1. Create Helpful, In-Depth Content That Answers Questions
Your blog and service pages should:
- Anticipate common questions customers have
- Offer detailed, clear, and original answers
- Use structured headings (H2, H3) and lists when appropriate
- Avoid fluff—focus on real expertise and value
📍 Florida Example: A Fort Myers HVAC company published a blog post titled “How Often Should You Service Your AC in Florida?” It now gets featured in AI Overviews for related searches and drives consistent traffic from users seeking local-specific info.
2. Build Authoritativeness (E-E-A-T)
Google is prioritizing content that demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).
You can improve your site’s E-E-A-T by:
- Publishing content under real people with credentials or local expertise
- Including testimonials, reviews, and case studies
- Citing sources and linking to helpful resources
- Using schema markup (e.g., Article, Author, LocalBusiness)
3. Keep Local SEO Strong
Even with AI Overviews, local search remains critical for Florida businesses.
To protect and grow your visibility:
- Optimize your Google Business Profile
- Maintain accurate local citations
- Create geo-targeted content and location pages
- Ask for and respond to reviews that mention your city and services
AI can’t replace local trust—and people still want to know who they can call in their area.
4. Monitor How You’re Cited in AI Overviews
Right now, Google doesn’t offer detailed tracking for AI Overviews. But you can:
- Search your target queries and see if your site is included
- Use tools like Ahrefs and Semrush to track organic impressions and traffic changes
- Watch Google Search Console closely for shifts in page performance or CTR
As this feature evolves, tools will likely improve to help you track inclusion and impact.
5. Continue to Invest in High-Quality SEO
AI Overviews reward sites with helpful content, technical strength, and topical authority. That means:
- Fast, mobile-friendly website
- Clean site structure and internal linking
- Quality backlinks from real, relevant sources
- A balanced content strategy (service pages + educational content)
You don’t need to chase every AI trend—but you do need to build a brand that Google trusts.
Google’s AI Overviews aren’t here to kill SEO—they’re here to raise the bar. As a Florida business owner, the best way to adapt is to focus on what’s always worked: creating high-quality, trustworthy, and useful content backed by strong technical SEO.
At SEO Consulting Experts, we stay on top of every algorithm and AI update so our clients don’t have to. Whether you’re trying to get featured in AI summaries or simply want to improve your rankings and leads, we’ll build a plan tailored to your business and your market.
👉 Want to stay ahead of Google’s AI changes? Schedule a free SEO strategy session today.
We’ll show you how to future-proof your visibility, stay competitive, and earn traffic that converts.
