AI-Powered Summaries Are Changing Search—Here’s How Businesses Can Keep Up

AI Overviews Create New Challenges and Opportunities for Small Businesses

The digital marketing world never stops changing. Just when you think you’ve figured out how to show up on Google, something new comes along and flips the script. A few years ago, it was featured snippets. Then came voice search. And now, everyone is seeing the rise of AI Overviews—Google’s AI-powered way of pulling answers right onto the search results page.

If you’ve noticed them popping up lately, you’re not alone. These little summaries are showing up more and more often, and they’re already reshaping how people discover businesses online. Instead of clicking through to five different websites, searchers can get a neat, digestible answer at the very top of the page—sometimes without ever leaving Google.

For business owners, marketers, and content creators, this shift can feel a bit overwhelming. But here’s the thing: it’s not all bad news. In fact, if you adapt, AI Overviews can actually put your brand front and center, giving you more visibility and authority than you might have had before.

At Breakthrough Local here in Portland, they’ve been watching this change closely. They’ve helped local businesses ride wave after wave of SEO changes, and one thing always stays true: the businesses that adapt early are the ones that thrive.

So, how do you get your content ready for AI Overviews?

AI Overviews and Local Search How it Works Together

Why AI Overviews Are Changing the Game

Think about how you search for something today. Maybe you’re planning a backyard project and type in:

“Best landscaper in Portland who can fix irrigation systems”
“Does gutter cleaning in Tigard usually include downspout flushing?”
“Are automowers worth it for hilly lawns?”

A few years ago, you’d scroll through websites, read reviews, and maybe call a couple businesses. Now, Google’s AI might just give you an instant summary with a few names, pricing details, or pros and cons—all without you ever leaving that search results page.

Here’s why that matters:

Fewer clicks, more skimming. People may not click through to your website at all if they get what they need from the overview.
Authority is everything. Google isn’t going to quote just anyone. If your business comes across as knowledgeable, trustworthy, and clear, you’re more likely to get cited.
Visibility right at the top. Even if users don’t click right away, being mentioned in an AI Overview is like having your name in bold print at the very top of the page. That kind of exposure builds trust and recognition.

The message is clear: if you want to stay visible, your content has to be structured, clear, and authoritative enough for AI to grab.

Six Ways to Optimize Your Content for AI Overviews

Explore practical strategies. Here’s what you can do to help your content show up in AI Overviews.

1. Use Structured Data (Schema)

Imagine you’re trying to explain your business to someone who doesn’t speak your language fluently. You’d probably use simple labels—“This is our name, this is our phone number, these are our hours.”

That’s basically what structured data (or schema markup) does. It gives Google a cheat sheet about your website.

For local businesses, two types are especially powerful:

LocalBusiness Schema – Tells Google your name, address, phone number, hours, and services in a way it understands perfectly.
FAQPage Schema – Flags the questions and answers on your site so AI knows exactly where to pull from.

Pro tip: Use Google’s free Rich Results Test to make sure your schema is working properly. Think of it as double-checking your homework before turning it in.

2. Write Like You’re Answering a Friend’s Question

When AI scans your site, it’s looking for direct, scannable answers. That means your content should get to the point—fast.

Here’s how to do it:

Lead with the answer. If the question is “How much does gutter cleaning cost in Portland?” then start with: “Gutter cleaning in Portland usually costs between $100 and $250, depending on the size of your home.” Then go into detail after.
Break it up with headings. Nobody (not even AI) wants to wade through long walls of text. Use H2s and H3s to make your content skimmable.
Lean on lists. Steps, features, pros and cons—lists make it easier for both people and AI to grab the important stuff.
Keep it simple. Skip the jargon. If you wouldn’t say it to a neighbor over coffee, don’t write it.

Think of your website as a friendly local guide, not a technical manual.

3. Build Local Authority

AI isn’t just looking for content—it’s looking for content it can trust. That means you need to position yourself as a reliable, authoritative voice in your niche.

Here are a few ways to do that:

Create useful, Portland-specific content. Write blog posts like “How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System for Portland’s Cold Nights” or “Top 5 Dog-Friendly Trails Near Beaverton.” Hyper-local content tells Google you know your stuff.
Show your credentials. Add bios, certifications, awards, or years of experience to your site. The more real-world expertise you show, the better.
Back up your claims. If you mention statistics, link to reputable sources. AI notices when you cite others.
Get local backlinks. Partner with other businesses, appear in local news stories, or contribute to community blogs. Each link builds your credibility.

Over time, all of these signals stack up, telling both people and AI: this business knows what it’s talking about.

4. Add Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If there’s one thing AI Overviews love, it’s Q&As.

Think about the questions your customers ask most often. Things like:

“Do automowers work in the rain?”
“What’s the average cost of tree trimming in Portland?”
“Do you charge extra for weekend service?”

Those are gold. Put them on an FAQ page, but also weave them naturally into your service pages and blog posts.

Bonus tip: Use FAQ schema so Google instantly recognizes those questions and answers.

This makes it super easy for AI to pull a clean, ready-made answer straight from your site.

5. Refresh the Content You Already Have

The good news? You probably don’t need to start from scratch. Chances are, you already have blogs and service pages that just need a little polishing to be AI-ready.

Here’s how to upgrade them:

Look at your best-performing pages. Which ones get the most visitors?
Check for direct answers. Do they spell out answers clearly, or do readers have to dig?
Tighten the language. Make your key points short, clear, and front-loaded.
Add schema and FAQs. Even a few tweaks can make a big difference.

This approach is faster, easier, and more cost-effective than creating tons of brand-new content.

6. Keep an Eye on Performance

Finally, don’t set it and forget it. AI Overviews are still evolving, which means you’ll want to keep tabs on how your content is showing up.

Update your Google Business Profile often. Add photos, double-check your hours, post updates. Google relies heavily on this data.
Watch your keyword rankings. Even if clicks dip, visibility in AI Overviews builds brand awareness.
Encourage reviews. AI loves pulling in customer sentiment, so those positive reviews really matter.

The businesses that adapt, test, and adjust will be the ones that come out on top.

What This Means for the Future

Changes like this can feel daunting. But here’s the bright side: AI is essentially rewarding the same qualities customers want too. Clarity. Trustworthiness. Straightforward answers.

If you focus on being helpful, accurate, and approachable, you’ll not only make AI happy—you’ll also build stronger relationships with your real-life customers.

Here in Portland, Breakthrough Local has seen businesses gain incredible visibility just by leaning into this approach. A local roofer who started adding simple Q&As to their service pages now gets quoted in AI Overviews for terms like “roof repair cost in Portland.” A landscaping company that refreshed old blog posts with clearer answers is suddenly showing up in more “People Also Ask” boxes.

The pattern is clear: businesses that humanize their content and make it easy to digest are the ones getting noticed.

Ready to Optimize Your Content for AI Overviews?

If you’re feeling like this is a lot to juggle—you’re right. It is. That’s why they’re here.

At Breakthrough Local, a local SEO company, they help businesses just like yours cut through the noise and stay ahead of the curve. Their team specializes in turning regular service pages and blogs into content that both customers and AI love.

Request a content strategy review for AI Overviews today. They’ll analyze your current content, identify the gaps, and create a clear plan to boost your visibility in this new search landscape.

Because while AI is answering questions, your business deserves to be the answer people find.