AI-generated search is transforming the way people find local businesses. With Google’s AI Overviews becoming more common in results, companies are realizing that traditional SEO is no longer enough. It’s not just about being on page one, but being featured directly in AI summaries that answer user questions without anyone needing to click.
So how do you get your business into that AI spotlight? One smart place to start is with your Yelp listing.
AI Overviews Favor Structured, Trusted Sources
Google’s AI Overviews pull data from a network of reputable sources, summarizing the most useful, relevant information into quick answers. These aren’t random websites. They’re often structured, well-maintained profiles from platforms like Yelp, BBB, and Google Business Profiles.
If your business isn’t active on these platforms, there’s a good chance AI won’t include you in its recommendations. AI Overviews SEO is about more than keywords on your site. It’s about how consistently and professionally your business shows up across the web.
That consistency includes everything from operating hours to service categories. For example, if your website says one thing and your Yelp profile says another, that mismatch could lead AI to exclude your business in favor of one that’s more aligned across platforms.
Why Yelp Still Plays a Major Role
Many business owners treat Yelp like a set-it-and-forget-it directory, but it remains one of the most trusted hubs for local service information. Yelp listings include categories, business hours, photos, customer reviews, and location details. All of which are exactly the kind of structured data that AI models depend on.
When someone searches for a service like “best roofing companies near me,” the AI Overview often summarizes the top providers in the area. And if your Yelp profile is complete, active, and optimized, it increases the likelihood that your business gets included in that summary.
What makes Yelp particularly valuable is its long-standing credibility. Even as newer platforms emerge, Yelp has maintained strong visibility in local search and remains a go-to source for user-generated content. That credibility passes through to AI tools scraping the web for reliable data.
What Is Yelp SEO?
Yelp SEO refers to the process of improving your Yelp profile so it ranks better within Yelp’s own search algorithm and gets indexed more favorably by search engines and AI tools.
That means going beyond simply claiming your business. It means making sure your service categories are accurate, your photos are high-quality and current, your descriptions use natural but relevant keywords, and your profile stays up to date. Regular engagement — such as responding to reviews or updating business details — also signals that your listing is active and trustworthy.
An optimized Yelp listing builds credibility. More importantly, it feeds the ecosystem of data that powers AI-driven visibility.
If you’ve ever wondered why a competitor keeps showing up in AI summaries while your business doesn’t, Yelp optimization might be the missing piece. Even small updates — like correcting outdated hours or refreshing your photo gallery — can make a noticeable difference over time.
From Listing to Visibility: How Shane Arts Helps
Getting all of this right can be time-consuming. That’s where professionals like Shane Arts come in. Shane Arts works with businesses to create and manage strong Yelp and BBB profiles that are built for today’s AI-influenced search environment.
Their team doesn’t just polish a listing. They help ensure that the business looks authoritative across the platforms that search engines trust most. Whether it’s refreshing outdated details, updating visuals, or rewriting descriptions, Shane Arts helps businesses with Yelp SEO so they’re better positioned for AI visibility.
Over the past year, Shane Arts has helped clients boost their presence on both Yelp and Google by keeping listings aligned with best practices. The result? Many of those businesses are now showing up in AI Overviews. Not because they gamed the system, but because they invested in being consistently present and trustworthy across the web.
Their approach goes beyond just SEO. It’s rooted in building a lasting online reputation. That means helping clients showcase their strengths in ways that algorithms — and real customers — can trust.
AI Overviews SEO Starts with the Basics
There’s no guaranteed way to rank in Google’s AI-generated content. But what we do know is that the businesses getting featured tend to have strong visibility in the places AI draws from. Yelp is one of the easiest to control and improve, which makes it a logical first step in any online presence management strategy.
If your business hasn’t touched its Yelp listing in months (or years), now’s the time to revisit it. Even just reviewing your business hours, adding new photos, or requesting a few fresh reviews can give your profile new life.
And if you’re not sure where to start, getting help from experts like Shane Arts can make the process smooth and effective. Showing up in AI Overviews isn’t just about luck. It’s about being ready.
