When a patient types "how is a dental implant done, is it risky?", Google now often shows a short AI-written summary right at the top. Some people skip Google altogether and ask a chatbot. You may be wondering: are these people still seeing my website, or do they get their answer on screen and leave?
The worry is reasonable, but there is no need to panic. In this article I explain how AI search can affect your business, what you can check on your own site, and what to ask the person who looks after it. I also offer this work as GEO services.
What exactly is AI search?
The summary box above Google's results is called an AI Overview. Google pulls information from several pages, writes a short answer and adds links to its sources underneath. Chatbots can also draw on websites when they answer questions.
What they have in common: the system writing the answer feeds on pages it finds online. If your site has no clear, accurate and up-to-date information, the chance of your name appearing in those summaries is lower.
Let me also be upfront: nobody knows for certain which site these summaries will pick, or when. So be careful with anyone who promises you "first place in AI answers".
How does it affect your business?
It depends on your line of work. Roughly:
- People looking for information: the answer to "does teeth whitening cause damage?" may stay inside the summary box. Fewer of these people may click through to your site.
- People looking for a service: someone typing "emergency locksmith near me" or "lawyer near me" usually goes to map results, a phone number and reviews. These people are still calling you.
- People about to decide: before booking, they look at your site, your reviews and your photos. A site that builds trust still matters a great deal.
So visitors who only wanted information may decrease, but the person who will call or ask for an appointment still wants to find a business. The real risk is not being visible at all, or being described wrongly.
What you can check yourself
None of this needs technical knowledge. You can do it from your phone.
- Ask a chatbot about your business. Type "[your profession] in [your town]". Does your name come up? If it does, is the information right (address, opening hours, services)? Note anything wrong.
- Type in the questions your customers ask. Something like "is a root canal painful?" See who is mentioned in the summary and in the results below it.
- Does your site answer those questions? Think of the five questions customers ask you most on the phone. Are the answers written on your site clearly, briefly and in plain language?
- Is your information the same everywhere? Phone, address and opening hours should match on your site, your Google Maps listing and social media. If they differ, customers and AI systems both get confused.
- Look at who is behind the site. Is there an about page, your name, your expertise, a photo and contact details? A site that shows who you are looks more trustworthy.
What the specialist does
An SEO specialist or web designer will typically:
- Organize your pages around customer questions, so each page answers one topic clearly.
- Add a frequently asked questions section with short, direct answers.
- Make behind-the-scenes adjustments that tell Google what a page is about (this is called structured data; think of it as a small label describing each page).
- Check that the site opens quickly and looks right on a phone.
- Fix your details where they are inconsistent across different sites.
- Track regularly how many visitors come and which pages are working.
Most of this is already part of good SEO work. There is no separate "magic method" for AI search; a well-prepared site helps in both cases.
What to ask the specialist
If someone uses AI as a sales pitch, you can ask:
| Question | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| "Do you guarantee we will appear in AI summaries?" | "No, nobody can guarantee that, but here is what I will do." |
| "What will change on my site?" | Names specific pages and specific changes. |
| "How will we measure the result?" | Looks at calls, forms and appointments. |
| "Are we dropping regular SEO?" | "No, the foundation is the same, we add to it." |
If the answers are vague, packed with jargon or promise "instant results", be careful.
How long does it take, and what should you expect?
Reorganizing the answers on your site and adding missing pages can often be done in a few weeks. It takes longer for Google and other systems to notice and use them, sometimes months. Do not expect a clear result quickly, but you may start to see first signs (more searches, more calls) within a month or two.
The smartest thing to do right now is not to set aside a separate AI budget, but to make your site's information accurate, current and easy to understand.
Frequently asked questions
Will AI replace Google, and do I still need SEO?
People still mostly search on Google today, and AI summaries feed on pages from the search results. A proper website and good SEO work are worth as much as before, if not more.
Can AI harm my site, and should I block it?
For most small businesses, being findable makes more sense than blocking. Still, it depends on your business and content, so decide together with the person who manages your website.
What if they show wrong information about me?
First make sure the correct details are clearly written on your site and Google Maps listing. Then you can use the feedback button of the tool showing the wrong information. Nobody can tell you when it will be corrected.
Do I need a separate specialist for this?
Usually not. Whoever handles your SEO can cover it too; what matters is that they can answer the questions above clearly.
Conclusion
AI search is not going to wipe out your business, but what your site says, and how clearly it says it, matters even more. Start by asking a chatbot about your business, then fill the gaps with a specialist. If you would like help with that, take a look at my SEO services.