How can local businesses appear in Google AI Overviews?

• Optimize Google Business Profile (GBP) for Completeness and Engagement: Ensure every section of your GBP includes accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone number), hours, services, and categories to signal relevance and proximity, core Google local SEO ranking factors that help AI Overviews pull trustworthy local details for featured summaries.
• Encourage and Manage Customer Reviews: Actively solicit recent, photo-rich reviews while responding promptly to all feedback, as review recency, volume, and specificity are underrated yet powerful 2025 ranking signals that boost prominence and authority in AI-generated local search responses.
• Leverage Visuals and Updates in GBP: Upload high-quality photos, videos, and regular posts to demonstrate activity, enhancing user engagement metrics that Google prioritizes for AI Overviews, leading to better visibility in the Local Pack and Maps.
• Develop High-Quality Website Content: Create in-depth, expert content addressing local queries with structured headings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs, incorporating local keywords to improve topical relevance and make your site a prime source for AI extraction.
• Implement Structured Data Markup: Apply LocalBusiness schema to highlight key details like location, reviews, and services, enabling Google AI to easily parse and feature your business in overviews, aligning with 2025 emphasis on structured signals for local authority.
• Build E-E-A-T Through Authority Signals: Demonstrate Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness via credentialed author bios, cited sources, and quality backlinks from local sites, strengthening overall trust that influences AI prioritization in local results.
• Maintain Consistent Citations Across Platforms: Ensure uniform NAP and business info in all directories and citations, a foundational ranking factor that reinforces legitimacy and helps expand your service area visibility in AI Overviews.
• Focus on User Experience and Freshness: Prioritize mobile-friendly design, fast loading, and ongoing content updates to align with Google's user-centric algorithm, driving higher engagement and conversion potential from AI-summarized local searches.

By adopting a holistic local SEO strategy tailored for AI-driven search, businesses can enhance their chances of featuring in Google AI Overviews, which appear in over 40% of local queries, ultimately increasing visibility, traffic, and competitive advantage.