How is Google’s new AI Mode changing how businesses appear in search?
Google’s AI Mode, also called the Search Generative Experience (SGE), is changing how search results appear. Instead of a list of links, users now see AI-generated summaries at the top. Many businesses are being pushed lower down and no longer noticed. Even websites that used to bring in regular traffic are now being skipped. If your business doesn’t appear in these summaries, your audience might not see you at all.
Here's What We Have Covered In This Article
Google’s New AI Mode: What Is It and Why It Matters
What is AI Mode?
AI Mode is Google’s latest version of search that uses generative AI to provide answers before showing website links. It collects information from different sources and gives a short summary to the user. This is a big part of Google’s ongoing search updates and a key feature of AI SERPs.
What powers it?
The system runs on Gemini 2.0. It handles complex queries and mixes content types like images, video, and text. It also expands search questions and highlights key parts of pages using methods like query fan-out and passage ranking.
What is query fan-out?
Query fan-out is like asking a librarian about “growth.” Instead of just looking for books with that word, they search for related ideas like business growth, plant growth, or personal development. Google’s AI explores every possible angle of a search and then brings together the most helpful information.
Where is it live?
Parts of AI Mode are already active in the UK. It’s appearing more often for a growing number of searches. Google plans to keep expanding it across industries and question types.
What this means for you
It’s not enough to have strong keywords. Google wants to see signs that your business is useful, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Clear content, structured data, and consistent reviews all help you appear in AI Overviews.
Pro Tip : Don’t just focus on traffic. Track impressions and mentions to see your real visibility in AI-driven results.
Book a Free SEO Visibility Audit
Find out how visible your business really is in AI search results. We’ll show you what’s missing and how to fix it.
Why Service Businesses Risk Being Overlooked
The visibility gap
AI often gives users what they want without needing to click anything else. So even if your site ranks well, people might never visit it.
Domain rank is less important
Your overall online reputation matters more. Google looks at your business as a whole – including mentions on other websites, reviews, and trusted profiles.
Emotional reality for SMEs
Many small business owners are confused. They’re following the same SEO rules as before, but seeing less traffic. The way AI now presents search results is a big part of the reason.
Real-world shift
Tools like SparkToro and SimilarWeb show fewer people clicking on page-one results. To stay visible, you need to appear in AI summaries, not just on the list.
Common mistakes that lead to invisibility
Plenty of businesses make avoidable errors that harm their visibility:
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Relying on keyword rankings without using structured data or entity-based SEO.
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Skipping review platforms and external citations.
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Leaving outdated or inconsistent business profiles online.
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Using old-school SEO tactics that no longer work well in generative search.
These issues make it harder for AI to recognise and feature your business.
Pro Tip: Keep your business profiles consistent across all platforms. It strengthens your presence as an entity in Google’s eyes.
How Google Sees Your Business in AI Mode
Understanding entities
Google doesn’t just look at your website. It sees your business as a complete online profile. Structured data, reviews, citations, and trusted sources shape how clearly it understands you as a digital entity.
Structured data and reviews matter
Schema markup helps search engines read your site better. So do reviews and profiles on places like Trustpilot, LinkedIn, and Google Business. These all contribute to your Google brand recognition and how you appear in features like the knowledge panel.
Local vs niche visibility
If you’re a local service, make sure your business appears the same way everywhere online. For UK-based SMEs, consistency across local directories and industry listings is especially important. If you’re in a niche market, focus on getting mentioned in relevant expert directories.
A way to picture it
Imagine Google is trying to draw your business from memory. Every profile, review, citation, and schema tag is another helpful clue. The more you leave online, the more accurate the sketch.
Make Your Site AI Ready
Let us upgrade your content and structure to meet Google’s AI Mode standards. Get found where customers are searching now.
5 Smart Moves to Get Seen in AI Mode
1. Audit your structured data
Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to check that your site includes schema markup. This helps AI understand what you offer and who you are.
2. Rewrite for semantic intent
Update your content so it matches what your audience is trying to solve. Use plain language and clear headings that reflect real questions. This is central to any semantic SEO strategy.
3. Leverage external platforms
Make sure you appear on sites Google trusts, like Reddit, Quora, Google Maps, and UK business directories. These citations act as strong external signals.
4. Add rich content
Include multimodal assets like videos, images, infographics, and FAQs. These types of content make it easier for Google to summarise your pages and boost engagement and passage selection.
5. Track brand mentions and impressions
Use Google Search Console and Looker Studio to see how often your business name appears. Don’t just focus on clicks also remember to check impressions, mentions, and citations across AI SERPs.
Why Work With Experts Gives You the Edge
You don’t have to do this alone
First Place SEO Agency helps UK businesses stay visible as search continues to change. They can audit your content, improve your structure, and set up long-term tracking.
Local insight matters
Optimising for the UK market requires local knowledge. First Place SEO understands what UK users expect and how to meet those expectations.
Old SEO isn’t enough
Keyword packs and backlinks used to work. Now, you also need structure, meaning, and a well-connected presence across the web.
Your 90-Day Visibility Action Plan
Month 1: Audit and planning
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Review your site’s structure and technical SEO
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Refresh business profiles across directories
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Set goals based on impressions and mentions
Month 2: On-site and off-site content
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Rewrite service pages with headings that match real questions
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Add media content and FAQs to key areas
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Increase your presence on external platforms, especially UK business directories
Month 3: Track, refine, and expand
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Use Search Console and Looker Studio to measure visibility
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Monitor mentions, citations, and how you appear in AI SERPs
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Adjust your content based on actual visibility data
The Future Is Already Here. Are You Ready?
Google’s AI Mode is changing search now, not later. If your business doesn’t adapt, it risks being left out.
Book your free visibility audit with First Place SEO today.
Quick FAQs on AI Mode and Business Visibility
Is AI Mode live for all search types in the UK?
Not yet, but it’s expanding fast. Many local and service-related searches already use AI Overviews.
Do keywords still matter?
Yes, but only when paired with meaningful content and structure. Intent is just as important.
Can I opt out of AI Mode?
No. It’s built into how search works now. The best move is to adapt and make sure your business is visible.
Is this only for large companies?
Not at all. Small businesses can stand out by being more specific, trusted, and clearly presented.
