If you’ve been noticing fewer website visits lately, it’s not just you. Last year Google continued to expand its roll-out of AI Overviews (AIOs), and it has been impacting search traffic in a big way. These AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of more and more searches are certainly convenient for users, but it’s starving websites of the clicks they depend on.
This patterns might sound a bit familiar, because it’s just like the Local Service Ads (aka Google Guaranteed) that they rolled 10 years ago. We watched in horror as many of our clients saw 50% of their organic traffic vanish thanks to that pay-to-play program. They pushed organic results further down the page, and businesses had to pivot fast. AIOs are doing something similar, but this time it’s likely going to be more severe.
But here’s the thing: big shifts like this are both a threat and an opportunity. If you’re smart about it, your business can actually benefit from AIOs by becoming the go-to source these summaries pull from. It’s all about getting cited, showing authority, and being clear, helpful, and trustworthy online.
The Reality Check: AIOs Are Taking Over, and Taking Clicks with Them
Here’s what the data says as of early 2026:
- 58.5% of U.S. Google searches now end without a click (according to SparkToro), and AI Overviews will likely push that even higher this year.
- Organic click-through rates have dropped 60% (according to Seer) since mid-2024 on AIO-heavy searches.
- But there’s a silver lining: According to Seer, being cited in the AIO is correlated with a 35-91% higher click-thru rates. When users do engage, those clicks tend to be higher quality.
So yes, you may be losing some top-of-funnel traffic, like people searching “how to patch drywall.” But if your business gets cited as the expert source, users who do click are more likely to trust you and take action. That’s a big double win. You’re likely losing out on the lower-value time-wasters, but gaining the high-value contacts that drive sales.
E-E-A-T: Your Secret Weapon as a Local Expert
If you’ve read our past articles, you know how important EEAT is: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. EEAT is to AI Optimization what keywords were to SEO.
Here’s how to show Google (and customers) you’ve got it:
- Experience: Share real stories. “As a plumber in Tampa for 18 years, I’ve seen every kind of pipe burst imaginable.”
- Expertise: Add bios to your site with certifications, licenses, awards, and specialties.
- Authoritativeness: Get featured on other local sites, earn positive reviews, and publish content people actually find helpful.
- Trustworthiness: Use clear contact info, show before/after photos from real jobs, and include testimonials.
Pro tip: A photo of a job site is worth a thousand stock photos.
Write for Questions and Answer Them Right Away
AIOs love content that directly answers user questions. That means your blog shouldn’t just be a wall of text, it should be a helpful resource structured around real questions.
Try this format:
- Start with a direct 1-2 sentence answer.
- Then go deeper with more detail.
- Use clear headings, bullets, and visuals.
Example topics that work great:
- “How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Charlotte in 2026?”
- “Is It Better to Repair or Replace an Old Furnace?”
- “What’s the Best Type of Roof for Rainy Climates?”
Free tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s “People Also Ask” can help you find these kinds of questions fast.
Of course, we can also help you with this task. Our AI Quickstart includes an FAQ page that comes with all the proper structure and markup.
Use Structured Data (Don’t Worry, It’s Easier Than It Sounds)
Before you let your eyes glaze over, just know that this portion is very easily outsourced to a digital marketer. In fact, we help people with this all the time. Many people slap together the basic info they want and then turn it over to us to just clean it up and add the techy, back-end stuff. For those of us who speak geek, it’s quick and painless. That translates into inexpensive to outsource for you.
If that describes your perspective on this topic, head over to our AI Quickstart page and start there.
But if you’re feeling brave, here’s the gist:
Structured data (also called schema markup) helps AI understand your content. And more importantly, it can increase your chances of being the cited source in the AI Overview.
Just head over to Schema.org and learn about how to do these types of markup:
- FAQ schema on pages that answer common questions.
- HowTo schema for walkthroughs (like “how to unclog a sink”).
- LocalBusiness schema for your business data.
Bottom line: Schema makes your content AI-readable, and that means more chances of getting cited.
Double Down on Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Don’t overlook your Google Business Profile. AIOs are increasingly pulling from local data, and your GBP is a key signal.
Make sure you:
- Add your services, pricing, Q&A, and photos.
- Keep your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) consistent everywhere (exact, to the letter.)
- Encourage customers to leave reviews, especially detailed ones.
Think of your GBP as your digital storefront. If it’s complete and active, you’re sending the right signals to both people and AI.
This is another place where you can very easily and inexpensively outsource to a pro. Our GBP Optimization service exists for exactly this reason.
Use Original Visuals and Unique Local Insights
AIOs favor content that looks and feels real. That means:
- Job site photos
- Before/after shots
- Local data or stats (“We’ve installed 500 water heaters in Austin since 2015”)
- Visual breakdowns using Canva or similar tools
These are the kind of things that make your site stand out from generic competitors, and give AIOs something solid to cite.
Rethink What Success Looks Like in 2026
Yes, traditional traffic may dip. But that doesn’t mean you’re not winning.
New things to track:
- Are you seeing more branded searches? (People Googling your name?)
- Is your direct traffic going up?
- Are more people calling from your GBP?
- Are you getting cited in AIOs?
The goal isn’t just clicks. It’s trust, visibility, and leads, and AIOs can still drive all three when you play it right.
Final Thoughts: Adapt or Be Invisible
Like every big Google update, this one is a shake-up. But it’s not the end… it’s a turning point.
Yes, you may need to lean a little more into paid ads. Yes, you’ll need to tighten up your content and stay sharp about your local authority. But those who rise to the top will stay at the top.
This is your moment to stand out as the go-to expert in your area. Not just for people, but for the AI that’s now shaping what people see first.
Ready to get cited?
Let’s make 2026 the year your business doesn’t just survive, it leads.
Need some assistance, or just prefer to outsource this stuff? We’ve been working with contractors and service pros for years, and we’re already optimizing content for AI Overviews. Reach out anytime.
