Is AI stealing your local leads and traffic?

How AI answers, snippets, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms are different than SEO

Will Schmidt - December 18, 2024

is Google and ChatGPT stealing your local leads

Your customers are still searching for businesses like yours—but the way they see results is changing fast. Google and Bing now use AI‑generated answers that take up much of the page, pushing maps and organic listings down. Meanwhile, AI bots like ChatGPT and Perplexity gather information from all your public profiles, not just your website. In this guide you'll learn why "near me" searches still matter, how "best" searches use different ranking signals, and what you can do to stay visible in a world of AI‑powered results.

Sections and Topics

1. How the meaning of “near me” has evolved – and why “best” is now a separate keyword
2. How AI answers, ads and snippets change Google & Bing result pages
3. Quick reminders on ranking in maps and website listings
4. How local marketing and reviews help you appear in AI Overviews, ChatGPT and other systems
5. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): preparing for AI search

People are searching differently now and AI presenting different options for them

AI search has changed how customers find local companies. The phrase “best roofer near me” doesn’t mean the same thing as “who is the best roofer near me” or “who is the best roofer in New York City.” Each one triggers a different kind of intent — and a different layout in Google’s results.

"Best Contractor Near Me" search updates

This phrase focuses on local intent. Google assumes the searcher wants to hire a company soon and uses proximity, reviews, and business profile accuracy to decide who appears in the Map Pack. You’ll see ads, then a short AI Overview, followed by three local businesses with star ratings and contact info. Best for ranking:



• Strong Google Business Profile (photos, categories, hours)
• Frequent new reviews
• Keyword mentions like “best roofing company” in titles or descriptions
  

"Who is the Best contractor near me" search updates

When someone searches a best near me and includes their industry it will triggers AI Overviews and snippet results. Google interprets this as a research query, not just a purchase one.  You’ll notice the AI Overview pulls information from Yelp, Angi, and BBB, quoting reviews and ranking logic — before showing the map listings. Best for ranking:

• Consistent citations on directories like Yelp, Angi, and BBB
• Featured snippets or FAQ schema on your website
• Review velocity and recency (how often new reviews appear)

"Who is best contractor in city name" search updates

When someone is searching for your industry, best, and your city, search engines and AI overviews and chats show AI summaries plus curated results that highlight top-rated or award-winning companies.

Because it includes a specific city name, Google weighs brand authority, backlinks, and review quality more heavily than location. AI systems like ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity pull these same sources when generating local business recommendations. Best for ranking:

• City-specific service pages optimized for “best [service] in [city]”
• Mentions in articles, awards, or listicles (“Top 10 Roofing Companies in NYC”)
• High average review scores across Google, Yelp, and industry sites

Search engines are pushing "organic" farther down the page

More space for ads, snippets, and AI answers

As you saw in the previous section, there are a lot more Ads and snippets at the top before the local maps and local website rankings.

Search engines are pushing maps and organic listings below the fold. When Google’s AI Overviews and Featured Snippets appear together, they can occupy 67 % of the screen on desktop and 75.7 % on mobile, leaving little room for traditional results.

So what do you do?

Final Thoughts on how to retain lead generation in the AI era

The rise of AI search doesn’t mean the end of local marketing—it means the rules have changed. “Near me” searches still matter, but adding words like “best” activates different ranking signals that emphasize reviews and reputation. Google’s AI Overviews and Bing’s Copilot take up a large share of the search results page, pushing maps and traditional listings down and making AI visibility crucial.

Businesses that invest in complete local marketing—strong websites, optimized Google Business Profiles, consistent citations, and stellar reviews—will appear not only in maps and organic results but also inside AI‑generated answers and chatbots. Adopting Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) techniques ensures your company stays visible as AI continues to shape how customers find, evaluate and choose service providers.

If you need help gaining more local residential and commercial clients, book a consult with us today!