Google AI Overviews and AI Mode: What Small Businesses Need to Know for SEO

If you run a small or medium sized business, you may have noticed search results are looking very different. Google has introduced AI Overviews and a new AI Mode, and both are changing how people find information online. If you rely on SEO and organic traffic, this is not something you can afford to ignore.

What Are Google AI Overviews and AI Mode?

AI Overviews are short summaries that appear at the top of Google search results. They give users quick answers to their questions by pulling information from different websites. This creates what is known as zero click search, where people get the answer without visiting your website.

AI Mode is Google’s new search experience powered by its Gemini AI. It allows people to explore more complex topics, ask follow up questions, and compare results in more detail. Instead of just listing links, AI Mode explains information in simple language and helps users dig deeper.

Why AI Overviews and AI Mode Matter for SEO

1. Zero click searches are rising
   In 2024, almost 60 percent of Google searches in the US ended without a click to a website. This means that if your content is not part of an AI Overview, you may be invisible to your audience.
2. AI Overviews are showing up more often
   AI Overviews now appear in more than 1 in 10 Google queries, and that number is growing quickly. For small businesses, this is an opportunity to get visibility at the very top of search results.
3. Clear content wins
   Google’s AI scans thousands of pages to decide what to include in summaries. Content that is simple, structured, and direct has a much higher chance of being picked up. If the language is too complicated or too flowery, it will likely be skipped.
4. Authority matters
   AI Overviews tend to feature content from sites that are credible and trustworthy. Building your reputation through consistent, high quality content increases your chances of being included.

Practical Steps Small Businesses Can Take

You do not need to be a technical SEO expert to take action. Here are some simple steps to start with:

• Write for questions. Think about what your customers search for. Create FAQs, blog posts, and how to guides that answer those questions directly.
• Keep it simple. Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs. Start with the answer, then provide detail.
• Be present on trusted sites. Get listed on media outlets, industry aggregators, and affiliate sites. Google often pulls from these sources when building Overviews.
• Pay attention to Reddit and forums. While Google may not always display Reddit posts directly in Overviews, these platforms influence what people search for and how they phrase it. Use them to understand your audience better.
• Measure visibility. Track impressions and mentions in AI Overviews, not just clicks. Visibility is now just as important as traffic.

Final Thoughts

AI Overviews and Google’s AI Mode are changing how SEO works. For small and medium businesses this is both a challenge and an opportunity. By creating content that is simple, structured, and genuinely useful, you increase your chances of being picked up by Google’s AI systems.

At Verve & Metric, our advice is to focus on the basics. Make sure your content answers real questions, keep your writing clear, and build credibility across trusted platforms. This is how your brand stays visible in a search landscape that is evolving fast.