Bernadot Studios is excited to share insights from a recent Whitespark case study that highlights the rising importance of AI Overviews (AIOs) in Google’s local search results. This emerging feature has huge implications for small businesses and nonprofits looking to expand their visibility online—especially those here in the La Crosse area.
What Are AI Overviews?
Google’s AI Overviews (previously called Search Generative Experience or SGE) provide auto-generated summaries at the top of search results. These summaries pull from high-authority content across the web and are especially common for questions involving “how,” “why,” and other informational queries.
Key Stats from the Case Study
- 92% of informational queries (e.g., “how much do personal injury lawyers charge?”) triggered AIOs.
- 97% of hybrid queries (e.g., “should I get a lawyer after an accident?”) triggered AIOs.
- Only 15% of local-intent queries (e.g., “personal injury lawyers in Phoenix”) displayed AIOs.
- AIOs and traditional local packs rarely appear together, with local packs dominating location-based queries.
Why This Matters for Local La Crosse Businesses
If you run a business or nonprofit near La Crosse, you need to understand how AI Overviews could impact your visibility on Google. While traditional local packs still matter, you now have another path to exposure by showing up in AI-generated responses.
How to Rank in Google’s AI Overviews as a Local Business
- Target informational queries – Focus on “how,” “why,” and pricing questions—these are the types of queries where AIOs appear most frequently.
- Build topical authority – Publish expert, helpful content that answers key questions your customers have.
- Build citations on 3rd party sites – Get listed on platforms that AIOs commonly reference like Yelp, BBB, Facebook, and niche directories.
- Use brand + topic together – Integrate your business name closely with keywords your audience is searching for.
- Optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) and website – AIOs may rise, but local packs aren’t going away—both matter.
- Keep experimenting – Treat AIOs as a test environment. Monitor results and iterate your content strategy accordingly.
Final Thoughts
AIOs are a fast-evolving part of Google’s search landscape. La Crosse businesses and nonprofits who act now to align their content and citations with what AIOs prioritize will be better positioned to win attention online.
Need help implementing this strategy? Bernadot Studios is here to guide you every step of the way—from content creation to technical optimization.