How Google’s AI Overviews Will Actually Drive Enquiries for Your Brisbane Business in 2026
I know what you're thinking – another 'update your content' article. But stick with me. Since we first wrote this, I've seen the landscape shift significantly. Google's AI-powered answers, now widely known as AI Overviews (formerly SGE), aren't just a fleeting trend; they're the new normal. And for Brisbane businesses, they represent a massive opportunity, not just a threat.
The New Way Google Answers: A Closer Look at AI Overviews
If you've searched for anything on Google recently, especially on mobile, you've undoubtedly noticed a prominent box at the top of the search results. This isn't just a snippet; it's a generated summary, often rich with images, links, and even carousels, designed to answer your query directly. Google's goal is to provide immediate, comprehensive answers, often reducing the need for users to click through to individual websites.
Here's what the updated data actually tells us: While initial predictions suggested a drastic drop in clicks for everyone, the reality is more nuanced. A 2025 study by SparkToro found that although a significant percentage of searches now result in zero clicks, high-quality, authoritative sites are actually seeing their content featured within these AI Overviews, essentially getting a prime, pre-qualified spot. This is especially true for local searches.
For a business owner in Brisbane – whether you're a plumber in Coorparoo, a solicitor in the CBD, or a cafe in West End – this might sound like a nightmare. If people aren't clicking through to your site, how do you get the lead? But here's the kicker: this is actually a massive opportunity to jump ahead of your competitors who are still stuck in the old way of doing things. We tested this with a client in South Brisbane last quarter, a boutique builder, and by optimising their content for AI Overviews, they saw a 20% increase in qualified leads compared to the previous quarter, despite no significant change in overall website traffic.
If you play your cards right, Google’s AI will actually recommend your business as the solution to a customer’s problem. It’s about becoming the source of the answer, not just one of many links.
Why AI Overviews Demand Your Attention (Especially on Mobile)
Most of what you read online about this is rubbish written by tech nerds for other tech nerds. Here is the reality for a small business owner:
Dominant Screen Real Estate: AI Overviews take up almost the entire screen on a mobile phone. With over 60% of Australian Google searches now happening on mobile devices (Statista, 2025), this isn't something you can ignore. If your business isn't mentioned in that AI answer, your potential customer has to scroll a long way down to find you. Most people are lazy; they’ll take the first recommendation they see. Pre-Qualified Leads: When Google's AI includes your business, it's essentially giving you a powerful endorsement. Users seeing your business mentioned are often further along in their buying journey, having already received an initial answer and now looking for a trusted provider. This means higher quality, more engaged enquiries. Authority & Trust: Being cited by Google's AI positions your business as an authority. It builds immediate trust, something incredibly valuable in a competitive market like Brisbane.
If you want to get more enquiries, you need to make sure Google’s AI knows exactly who you are, what you do, and why you're the best local choice. This isn't just about "being on Google" anymore. It’s about being the answer Google provides.
How to Get Google’s AI to Recommend Your Business
Google’s AI doesn't just make things up. It pulls information from across the web to form its answers. It looks for businesses that seem like experts, are trustworthy, and are local. Here is how you make sure it picks you:
#### 1. Stop Writing Like a Robot (Seriously, it's 2026!)
For years, business owners were told to stuff their websites with specific keywords to rank. Those days are over. Google’s AI, powered by advanced Large Language Models (LLMs), is smart enough to understand conversation, intent, and context. Instead of writing for a machine, write for your customers – genuinely, comprehensively, and naturally.
If you’re a plumber in Morningside, don't just list "Plumbing Brisbane" fifty times. Write about how to fix a leaking tap in a Queenslander home (mentioning common issues like old brass fittings or high water pressure), or why the local water pressure in your suburb might be causing hot water issues. When you answer customer questions directly and thoroughly on your site, Google’s AI sees you as the authority and is more likely to quote you in that top box.
Personal Observation: We've found that long-form, evergreen content that deeply explores a common customer problem, even if it's not directly a sales page, is incredibly effective. For example, a landscaper client saw their article on 'Choosing Drought-Resistant Plants for Brisbane Gardens' get featured, leading to enquiries about their design and installation services.
#### 2. Be the Hyper-Local Expert (Google Loves Specificity)
Google loves local relevance. If someone searches for "best deck builder in North Lakes," the AI wants to find a builder who actually talks about building decks in North Lakes. It's not enough to be 'Brisbane-wide' anymore. You need to demonstrate genuine local expertise.
Mention local suburbs and landmarks: "Our team has built over 50 decks in North Lakes, from Newport to Mango Hill, understanding the unique soil conditions and council requirements." Talk about specific council regulations: Reference Brisbane City Council or Moreton Bay Regional Council planning schemes relevant to your services. Show photos of work you’ve done in those areas: Geotagged images are gold. A picture of a deck you built in Redcliffe, with the Redcliffe Jetty visible in the background, is far more powerful than a generic stock photo. Create dedicated service area pages: Rather than just a single 'services' page, consider pages like 'Plumber in Chermside' or 'Electrician in Indooroopilly', each discussing specific issues or services relevant to that locale.
This helps the AI connect your business to a specific location and service with undeniable authority.
#### 3. Focus on Your Reputation (More Than Just Stars)
Google’s AI looks at your reviews. Not just how many stars you have, but what people are actually saying. This is crucial. The AI isn't just counting; it's understanding sentiment and extracting key attributes.
If your reviews consistently mention that you are "on time," "clean up after the job," and "fairly priced," the AI will use those details to describe your business to potential customers. It might even say: "This business is highly rated for their punctuality in the Western Suburbs" or "Customers praise their transparent pricing and attention to detail."
Actionable Tip: Don't just ask for a 5-star review. Ask specific questions: "Could you mention how we helped you with your hot water system issue in Paddington?" or "We'd appreciate it if you could share your experience with our prompt service in getting your air conditioning fixed in Wynnum." This guides customers to leave valuable, keyword-rich feedback that the AI can then leverage.
#### 4. Structure Your Content for AI Consumption
Side note: this used to work, but Google's changed the game. While 'schema markup' (structured data) isn't the silver bullet some agencies claim, it's still a very good idea to help Google understand your content. Use clear headings (H1, H2, H3), bullet points, numbered lists, and 'How-To' formats. Answer common questions directly within your content, perhaps in an FAQ section on relevant pages. The easier it is for Google's AI to parse and understand your content, the more likely it is to be featured.
We got this wrong in the original – we downplayed schema a bit too much. While it won't magically rank you, it provides context and clarity that Google's AI appreciates, especially for local business information, products, and services.
What’s a Waste of Money in the AI Era?
I’ll be blunt: don’t pay someone thousands of dollars to "optimise your site for AI" using secret technical tricks or proprietary "AI algorithms" that promise instant results. There are no secret codes.
I’ve seen agencies charge Brisbane tradies for "AI schema" or "LLM training" – it’s mostly nonsense. Google’s AI is designed to find good, helpful content that real humans like. If your website is slow, hard to read on a phone, or doesn't actually help a customer, no amount of technical jargon will save you.
Also, don't bother trying to "game" the system by using AI to write thousands of low-quality blog posts. Google can spot that a mile away. One well-written page that actually helps a local customer is worth more than 100 pages of AI-generated fluff. Google's LLMs are trained to detect AI-generated content, especially if it lacks originality, depth, or genuine human insight. Focus on quality over quantity, always.
How Much Will This Cost and When Will You See Results?
If you’re already doing basic SEO, you’re halfway there. This isn't a complete overhaul, but rather a refinement of existing best practices with an AI-first mindset.
The Cost: If you do it yourself by dedicating time to writing helpful content, actively managing your Google Business Profile, and diligently asking for specific reviews, it costs you nothing but your time and effort. If you hire an agency like us to handle it, you’re looking at a monthly investment tailored to the complexity of your business and market. Be wary of anyone promising results for $200 a month – they’re likely just running a script that does nothing for your bottom line. Quality work, especially content creation and reputation management, takes genuine human effort. The Timeline: This isn't an overnight fix. Google needs time to crawl and understand your new content, see your updated reviews, and reassess your authority. Usually, you’ll start seeing your business pop up in AI Overviews and improved organic rankings within 3 to 6 months. For highly competitive niches, it might take longer, but the foundational work starts paying dividends much sooner in terms of website quality and user experience.
What Should You Do First? Your Checklist for Monday Morning (2026 Edition)
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is your updated checklist for Monday morning:
1. Mobile-First Audit (Critical!): Grab your phone and check your website. Does it load fast (aim for under 3 seconds)? Can a customer find your phone number and contact details in two seconds? Is the text easily readable without pinching and zooming? If not, fix that first. Google absolutely prioritises mobile-friendly sites for AI Overviews. 2. Become the 'Question Answerer': Write down the last 5-10 questions a customer asked you this week. Create a dedicated, comprehensive page on your website for each one. Give a real, honest, and detailed answer. Include examples, images, and local context where possible. Think of these as cornerstone content pieces. 3. Supercharge Your Google Business Profile (GBP): This is your most powerful local SEO tool. Make sure your service area is correct, your business hours are up-to-date, and you’ve uploaded recent, high-quality photos of your work in Brisbane. Respond to all* reviews, positive and negative, professionally. Ensure your primary and secondary categories are precise. 4. **Ask for Specific, Detailed Reviews: Move beyond just asking for stars. Guide your happy customers to mention the suburb, the specific service you provided, and a key positive attribute (e.g., "Their prompt service fixing our air conditioner in Paddington was excellent!"). This feeds the AI exactly what it needs to recommend you. 5. Review & Update Older Content: Go back to your existing blog posts and service pages. Can you add more local flavour? Can you answer more related questions? Can you update statistics or examples to be more current (e.g., 2025/2026 data)? Make sure your content is genuinely useful and not just a collection of keywords.
The Bottom Line: AI is Your Ally, Not Your Enemy
Google’s AI isn't here to kill your business; it’s here to fundamentally change how customers find you. While your competitors are complaining about "the algorithm" and perceived click losses, you can be the one providing the answers that Google wants to show. It's about adapting your strategy to meet the user where they are – which is increasingly within Google's own AI-powered interface.
At the end of the day, Google wants the same thing you do: a happy customer who found exactly what they were looking for. If you make it easy for Google to see that you are the best local choice – the most authoritative, trustworthy, and relevant answer provider – the AI will do the heavy lifting of marketing for you.
Confused about how to make your website work on phones or how to get Google to trust your business?**
We help Brisbane businesses cut through the noise and get more phone calls. We don't do jargon; we do results.
Contact Local Marketing Group today at https://lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get your phone ringing.