Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode are changing how people search and choose businesses. Instead of showing a long list of results, these features create short AI-written summaries at the top of the page. They usually appear before a user even clicks a link.
In other words, your business needs to be the source that AI trusts enough to pull information from and share in those summaries.
Below, this SEO agency in Springfield, Illinois is going to explain what that means for your business and how to adapt.
What are AI Overviews and AI Mode?
AI Overviews are short AI-generated summaries that appear right at the top of Google search results. They give people the main points so they can get the answer without having to scroll or click around too much. Even though they are brief, they still include links for people who want to read more.
AI Mode takes that idea and pushes it further.
AI Mode uses Google’s Gemini 2.0 to have a back-and-forth conversation with the person searching. Instead of answering a single question, it can break a big question into smaller ones, check many sources at the same time, and combine the results into a clear answer. A person can then ask another question that builds on the one before, and the AI will respond in the same thread.
For local businesses, this change has two sides.
On one hand, fewer people might click on the regular search results when they get the summary they need at the top. On the other hand, if your content is used in an AI Overview or AI Mode answer, you can get a spot right at the top where people are more likely to notice you and see you as a trusted source.
How is this useful for local businesses?
AI Overviews now scan the internet for users and show what Google thinks is most relevant. That can push the normal search results and even the local map listings lower on the page, where fewer people see them.
If your business is cited in an AI Overview, you will be shown first. While you might get fewer clicks overall, the clicks you do get will be from people who are more ready to buy, call, or visit. Those visitors are usually more serious and more likely to take action.
Because of this, simply ranking high in search results is no longer enough. You now need content that is accurate, trustworthy, and well-structured to be picked up by AI.
How to earn AI overview citations?
AI Overviews are growing fast. They appeared in 13.14% of searches in March 2025, up from 6.49% in January. They mostly appear for informational searches, like how-tos, definitions, and guides.
If you want to be chosen by AI for these summaries, here are a few things you should do:
- Use clear headings so the structure is easy to follow.
- Include short summaries and direct answers in your content.
- Add a 40–60 word answer box at the top of your important pages.
- Use schema markup like FAQPage, QAPage, and HowTo to help Google’s AI understand your content.
- Keep your general SEO strong with good rankings, a trusted domain, and quality backlinks.
A professional SEO agency in Springfield, Illinois can handle all of this for your business.
A local action plan.
For businesses in Springfield and other similar markets, focus on content that answers very specific local questions. Write in a way that shows clear authority on the topic.
Use a Q&A format with H2 and H3 headers that match the exact way people might ask the question. Add short, quick-answer sections labeled “Quick Answer” or “TL;DR” for people who only want the key points. Include local business schema and use real visuals or examples that connect to your area.
If this sounds complicated, reach out to a professional SEO agency in Springfield, Illinois. They can help you figure out what to say, how to say it, and how to format it so AI search tools can find and highlight your business.
Looking for an SEO agency in Springfield, Illinois?
If you are looking for a professional SEO agency in Springfield, Illinois that can help you succeed in this new AI-powered search world, look no further than Digital Destination LLC. Our team of SEO experts can create content and strategies that make Google’s AI choose you first. Contact us at (312) 933-6806 to schedule a free consultation.