How to help your local business clients rank in Google’s AI mode

AI Overviews? That was just Google getting warmed up. Their new AI Mode is the real game-changer for local business SEO, and it's turning search upside down for digital marketing agencies and their clients. While most agencies are still figuring out AI Overviews, the smart ones are already helping their local business clients prepare for AI that doesn't just summarise, it actually picks winners and recommends specific businesses to potential customers. After auditing millions of local businesses through our platform, we've seen exactly what separates the AI Mode winners from those getting left behind.

Why AI mode changes everything for local business SEO

Unlike AI Overviews, Google's AI Mode works like having a chat with a local expert. But unlike ChatGPT, it's plugged directly into Google's massive local business database. When someone asks "find me a boiler repair service in Derby," AI Mode doesn't just show a list, it gives specific recommendations with actual reasons why, backed by real-time data. Then your client's potential customer can follow up with "who's open after 5pm?" and get instant, accurate answers. This conversational search behaviour means traditional keyword optimisation alone won't cut it anymore.

AI mode vs ChatGPT: Why Google wins for local search

The key difference between Google's AI Mode and standalone AI tools like ChatGPT lies in real-time data access and local business integration.

When someone asks ChatGPT "find me a plumber in Manchester," it typically responds with generic advice and directs users to third-party platforms like MyBuilder or TrustATrader. ChatGPT can't access current business hours, recent reviews, or real-time availability—the stuff that actually matters when you need a local service.

Google's AI Mode, however, recommends businesses with access to comprehensive information: Google Reviews (the most used review platform), current opening times, direct contact details, and specific services available.

So Google's putting all that "SEO is dead" talk to bed and reaffirming that local SEO has never been more important for your clients.

Essential checks agencies should be conducting to get their local business clients optimised for AI Mode

To help your local business clients perform brilliantly in AI Mode, you need to audit both their current performance and AI-readiness. This is where tools like Insites' comprehensive SEO audit become invaluable, giving you a complete digital presence snapshot that highlights strengths and improvement areas in minutes, not hours.

Here's your complete AI Mode readiness checklist, based on what we've learned from helping agencies audit thousands of local businesses:

Does your client pass the E-E-A-T test?

EEAT is Google’s way of judging if content from the business is reliable by checking for experience, expertise, authority, and trust.

Experience

For local businesses this is about showing real work you’ve done:

• Does the business have detailed project portfolios with specific outcomes and dates?
• Are there before/after case studies that include measurable results?
• Do customer testimonials reference specific expertise rather than generic praise?
• Is there a timeline showing business evolution and growth over time?
• Are years of experience backed up with documented proof rather than just claims?

Expertise

For local businesses, this is about proving skill and knowledge:

• Does the business showcase staff qualifications, training, or certifications?
• Are services explained clearly to show depth of understanding (not just sales talk)?
• Is specialist knowledge shared through blogs, FAQs, or advice guides?
• Do employees demonstrate ongoing learning (courses, accreditations, industry updates)?
• Is expertise linked to specific industries or niches the business serves?

Authoritativeness

For local businesses this is about being recognised as a trusted source:

• Are there consistent 4–5 star reviews across Google, Trustpilot, or local directories?
• Has the business been featured in local press, community sites, or industry publications?
• Do partnerships or memberships (e.g. trade bodies, local chambers) back credibility?
• Are they listed in top results on mapping platforms like Google Maps?
• Do other businesses or influencers recommend them publicly?



Trustworthiness

For local businesses this is about showing honesty and transparency:

• Is full contact information (address, phone, email) easy to find?
• Do service descriptions match between website and Google Business Profile?
• Are pricing, terms, and guarantees clearly explained without hidden details?
• Does the business share who is behind it (team stories, personal branding, storytelling)?

Technical Infrastructure Audit

A strong technical foundation is essential for local businesses to rank well in search engines and be easily understood by AI-driven platforms. This audit focuses on ensuring that your website’s schema markup and content structure are optimised, making it easier for search engines and AI agents to interpret your offerings, locations, and services accurately.

Schema markup verification:

• Is the LocalBusiness schema properly implemented with detailed service offerings?
• Are operating hours, contact information, and service areas marked up correctly?
• Is FAQ schema used for common customer questions?
• Are reviews and ratings properly structured for AI consumption?
• Is a service-specific schema implemented for each offering?

Content structure analysis:

• Are headings structured logically (H1, H2, H3) for AI comprehension?
• Does each service have its own dedicated landing page?
• Are location pages created for multi-location businesses?
• Is the content organised to answer "who," "what," "when," "where," and "how" questions?
• Are internal links structured to show topical relationships?

Ready to help your clients rank in AI mode?

Running comprehensive SEO audits on prospects and clients is complex, time-consuming, and frankly easy to mess up when you're doing it manually. That's exactly why we built Insites—to make this whole process not just manageable, but actually enjoyable.

With Insites, you can customise audit checks to match exactly what you sell, spot opportunities with our traffic light scoring system that makes client presentations a breeze, and say goodbye to spreadsheet nightmares or generic templates that never quite fit your services.

Our clients consistently tell us that Insites audits become their secret weapon for winning new business and demonstrating clear ROI to existing clients.



Book a demo and discover how Insites helps you sell more SEO and website solutions by showing clients exactly what they need to win in AI search.

The future is AI search, and your clients need to be ready. Let's make sure they are.