“Nobody finds us on Google.” How to show up in Maps and AI answers.

Ten years ago, SEO meant one thing: rank in the blue links. Today a buyer’s search can end in three places, often before they click anything:

1. The AI answer at the top of Google.
2. The Maps pack with three local businesses.
3. The classic results underneath.

Each layer needs something different from your business. Here is what works.

Layer 1: Google Search results

The basics still decide everything else, because AI answers and Maps both lean on sites Google already trusts.

• Fast, mobile-first pages. Most searches happen on a phone. Slow pages lose rankings and visitors.
• One page per service, per need. A single “Services” page cannot rank for ten different searches. A page for each main service can.
• Built on real searches. Use the words your buyers type, not your internal names for things. Search Console shows you exactly what people searched before they found you.
• Technical health. Every page indexable, clean structure, no broken links, and schema that tells Google what each page is.

Layer 2: Google Maps and your Business Profile

For local businesses, Maps often brings more calls than the website. Your Google Business Profile is a second homepage.

• Choose the right categories. The primary category matters more than almost anything else.
• Fill in everything. Services, hours, photos, area served, booking and WhatsApp links.
• Get reviews steadily. A steady flow of recent reviews beats a burst of old ones. Reply to every one.
• Post regularly. Offers, updates and photos show the business is active.
• Make calling easy. Calls and direction requests are the numbers that matter. Track them every month.

Layer 3: AI answers

Google’s AI answers summarise the web and cite a handful of sources. To be one of those sources, your pages need to answer questions clearly.

• Answer the question in the first lines. Then explain. AI systems quote clear, direct answers.
• Add a questions section to key pages, using the real questions buyers ask.
• Use structured data, such as FAQ, Service and Organization schema, so machines can read what you offer.
• Be consistent everywhere. Your name, services and contact details should match on your site, your Business Profile and directories.
• Show proof. Specific numbers, case studies and named expertise make a page more citable than generic copy.

Search Console now reports impressions from AI features, so you can see whether your pages are being shown there.

Where to start

If you only do three things this month:

1. Fix your Business Profile categories, photos and services.
2. Make sure each main service has its own page, built on real search terms.
3. Add a short questions section with clear answers to your most important pages.

Search has more layers now, but the rule hasn’t changed: be the clearest, most trusted answer to what your buyer is asking.