By Bret Moleta, Founder, Mindsaw · Published October 25, 2026 · Last updated October 25, 2026
When somebody asks Google’s AI Mode for a plumber or a roofer, it builds the answer from what it can find about local businesses. If your business is thin online, you’re not in that answer. The fix is less exotic than the agencies selling “AEO packages” make it sound.
Do you need special AI optimization to show up?
No. Google’s own guide for site owners says: “There are no additional requirements to appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode, nor other special optimizations necessary.” (Google Search Central: AI features and your website)
That matches how I work:
“I say just do what Google wants you to do instead of the tricks. I don’t do any tricks. I just give it what it needs.”
Bret Moleta, Google is starting to replace the 3 Pack the top three map results with AI Overviews at 7:57
And the reason the tricks stop working:
“It’s going to be harder to fake the signal.”
Bret Moleta, Google is starting to replace the 3 Pack the top three map results with AI Overviews at 7:46
What are the three things AI Mode looks at for a local business?
I break it down like this:
“We’re going to break AI mode into three simple steps. Your website, your Google business profile, and reviews. That’s it.”
Bret Moleta, Google’s AI Mode What Local SEOs and Business Need to Know Now at 0:32
Here’s what each one means for a service business.
1. Your website
AI pulls from your pages, so your pages have to say what you do, for whom, and where. One page per service. If you do drain cleaning, water heater installs and repiping, that’s three pages, each written about the actual work. More on that in Does Website Design Affect SEO?
2. Your Google Business Profile
Fill out every field with what you do and where you do it:
“Whatever your business is and whatever you do and whatever you want to be found upon, that that’s where you need to add it.”
Bret Moleta, Google Search Is Changing FOREVER: New AI Layout & Local SEO Guide (2026) at 6:58
That means the business description, services, service areas and posts. Real photos from real jobs, never stock.
3. Reviews
Ask every customer. Send the review link after every job, no picking and choosing, no rewards. The local SEO checklist covers how.
Why isn’t a website and a few reviews enough anymore?
Because AI answers pull from everywhere, and a thin presence gives it nothing to work with.
“And if you want to be found locally, it’s not enough just to have a website and to just have a couple of reviews.”
Bret Moleta, Google Search Is Changing FOREVER: New AI Layout & Local SEO Guide (2026) at 8:37
I explain it with a hardware store:
“You have Home Depot that has aisles and aisles of electrical or plumbing supplies. And then you have Tom’s Hardware that has one aisle. Where are people going to go if they need a specialized part?”
Bret Moleta, Google Search Is Changing FOREVER: New AI Layout & Local SEO Guide (2026) at 8:56
Be the store with the aisles. Cover every service you actually do and every town you actually work in, with real jobs to show for it, because that’s what AI can find and repeat.
Watch: Google Search Is Changing FOREVER: New AI Layout & Local SEO Guide (2026), from the clip above.
What makes AI Mode pick one business over another?
Two things I talk about in my AI Mode video.
A specialty.
“So the next thing AI mode is looking for is do you specialize in something right?”
Bret Moleta, How To Stay Relevant When Google Moves Over To Ai Mode at 4:49
If most of your work is one thing, say so clearly and give it its own page with real jobs on it.
Proof that’s real. Written testimonials with initials don’t prove much. I’d rather see customers on video:
“You take that video file and you put that real video file on your website.”
Bret Moleta, How To Stay Relevant When Google Moves Over To Ai Mode at 6:17
Get the customer’s permission first, use real customers only, and don’t script them.
Your AI Mode checklist
- [ ] One page per service you actually offer, each written about real work
- [ ] Your town and service area named on the pages where you do the work
- [ ] Google Business Profile fully filled out: description, services, areas, hours, real photos
- [ ] A review link sent to every customer after every job
- [ ] Real proof on the site: job photos, and customer videos where you have permission
- [ ] Your business name, address and phone the same everywhere it appears
FAQ
Do I need an llms.txt file or special schema for AI Mode?
No. Google’s guide says you don’t need new machine-readable files, AI text files or special schema to appear in its AI features.
Will AI Mode replace the Google Maps results?
Nobody outside Google knows. Build the same three things either way: website, Google Business Profile, reviews. They count in both.
Is AEO different from local SEO?
For a local service business, mostly no. It’s the same foundation. Our answer engine optimization page shows how we handle the extra places AI pulls from, like ChatGPT.
Next step
Want to see how your business shows up when AI answers a local search? Get a free Google Maps audit or text (718) 227-2300.
Written from Bret’s videos with AI help; reviewed by Bret.
