Say it straight or don't say it at all.
Yes. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews are already changing how people find local services. What you need to do about it is straightforward if you start now.
AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews now answer questions directly instead of showing lists of links. If your site is not structured to answer questions, you will not show up.
Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity all pull from structured, well-organized websites. If your site is thin or poorly formatted, AI systems skip you. This is not optional in 2026.
AI search pulls your Google Business Profile data before anyone visits your site. But your GBP ranking depends heavily on the quality of your website. Weak site equals weak GBP performance.
