Google Killed Your Website In New AI Mode

If you thought you had Google Business Profile rankings figured out, buckle up. Google just dropped its brand-new “AI Mode” for search, and it’s going to change how people find local businesses forever. This is one of those updates where, if you’ve been putting off optimizing your Google Business Profile, now is the time to really take it seriously... unless you’d rather be invisible to your next customer. We threw together a checklist on your profile to ensure you’re ready for this update, but first, here’s what’s new. Google launched its AI Mode as part of Google Search (yes, a replacement for the Google Search you’ve loved all these years). If you search for local businesses, Google AI shows some options in a list format, but when you click on a business, Google now shows their Google Business Profile instead of their website! Boom. Adios websites, hello Google Business Profiles.

Jun 30, 2025

If you thought you had Google Business Profile rankings figured out, buckle up. Google just dropped its brand-new “AI Mode” for search, and it’s going to change how people find local businesses forever. This is one of those updates where, if you’ve been putting off optimizing your Google Business Profile, now is the time to really take it seriously... unless you’d rather be invisible to your next customer. We threw together a checklist on your profile to ensure you’re ready for this update, but first, here’s what’s new. Google launched its AI Mode as part of Google Search (yes, a replacement for the Google Search you’ve loved all these years). If you search for local businesses, Google AI shows some options in a list format, but when you click on a business, Google now shows their Google Business Profile instead of their website! Boom. Adios websites, hello Google Business Profiles.

GBP AI Optimization Checklist:

  1. Recent Content: Google’s always looking for the freshest content to show users. Make sure you’re consistently uploading new images, posting about your business, and answering Q&As.
  2. Optimized Reviews: When a review mentions a service or product that a user is looking for, it’s a no-brainer for Google to show them your business. Encourage customers to leave detailed reviews about their experience! (Ask about our tool that makes this incredibly easy!)
  3. Fill in the Details: List all of your services, products, and attributes on your profile so Google’s AI knows exactly what you do and don’t do. These details can be the difference between you and your competitor showing up for key search terms.

The good news is that GBP SEO is much easier than website SEO. If you still need to optimize your Google Business Profile, don’t worry. All you have to do is sign up for Paige, our fully automated GBP optimization AI. You can get your 3 day trial started today for just $1 and optimize your profile in minutes!

About Author

Justin Silverman

Justin Silverman is the Founder and CEO of Merchynt, a local SEO technology company on a mission to make local SEO services not suck—one agency and small business at a time. Since launching Merchynt in 2019, Justin has helped over 20,000 businesses grow through data-driven Google Business Profile optimization and AI-powered local marketing tools like Paige. With more than a decade of experience in digital marketing and business growth, Justin previously held executive roles at Vista Group, where he served as VP of Global Partnerships and President of MovieXchange. He also led strategy and operations at Veezi, helping to scale tech products across international markets. Justin's career has spanned roles in marketing, partnerships, and operations, working with companies from early-stage startups to global enterprises. His deep knowledge of local search, combined with real-world leadership, positions him as a trusted voice in the local SEO and SaaS space. Under his leadership, Merchynt has become a go-to provider for agencies and small businesses seeking to dominate local search rankings through white-label solutions, AI automation, and performance-focused strategy. Justin continues to speak, write, and build tools with one mission in mind: to help 298 million businesses get found online by their perfect customer.