I’m borderline obsessed with helping small businesses get found on Google. Like, if Google rankings were a sport, I’d have season tickets.

And honestly? I can’t talk about being found on Google anymore without dragging AI overviews into the chat.

Here we go with AI again

What IS an AI overview, you ask?

Basically, it’s that bossy little paragraph Google slaps at the top of your search results—the one that answers your question in conversation form, like an overly helpful aunt.

“Google AI overviews have become the default search experience.”

Which is great… except the rules for landing in that shiny overview are totally different from the rules for ranking at the top of the normal search results. Because of course they are.

How do I get into Google’s AI overview?

The same way you get into the Local Pack. 

(You know—the little map + business listings that show up like Google’s version of a neighborhood dating app for local businesses.)

Google is really just judging you on three things:

• Distance: Are you close enough to the person searching?
  
• Relevance: Do your services actually match the words they typed?
  
• Prominence: Does the internet trust you, talk about you, link to you, and generally think you’re somebody?

I break all of this down with Annemie on the This Can’t Be That Hard podcast to talk about how optimizing your Google Business profile can get you into the AI overview.

For the love… don’t ignore your Google Business Profile!

Look, we want Google to understand who we are, what we do, where we are, and who we serve.

But asking Google to figure that out on its own is like handing someone a box of puzzle pieces without the picture on the lid.

Your Google Business Profile is you handing Google the picture on the lid.

In Google’s own language.

With arrows.

And maybe a highlighted legend.

“Imagine if magically you could tell Google everything about your business in Google’s language. That’s what your Google Business Profile does.”

So if you haven’t done it yet, for the love of rankings, go claim or create your Google Business Profile.

Then come back and listen to the podcast where I walk through photos, reviews, and what NAP consistency is (hint: it has nothing to do with your mid-afternoon collapse onto the couch).

3 Quick Fixes for Your Google Business Profile

Three changes. Big impact. Zero tech meltdowns.

If you’re convinced GBP matters (it does) but you’re not sure what to do first, grab my free guide: Three Quick Fixes for your Google Business Profile. 

And definitely listen to episode 338 of This Can’t Be That Hard: Get Found First on Google with Lydia Fine for the full deep dive.

Need a little more support? 

I can review your Google Business Profile, point out what needs work, help your website convert better, and basically sweep up whatever business-chaos piles you’ve got with mentoring.

And you can always hang out with me on Instagram for more coaching tips (and the occasional spicy opinion about Google).