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Local SEO + AEO: Preparing for AI to Replace Google Maps Clicks

Local SEO + AEO: Preparing for AI to Replace Google Maps Clicks

For years, Google Maps was the go-to place for “near me” searches. From finding a coffee shop to locating a plumber, local businesses depended on map clicks. But the landscape is shifting fast. AI-powered engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews are replacing traditional search behaviours.

Instead of scrolling through ten map pins, users now ask, “What’s the best Italian restaurant near me?” and get an AI-curated answer. This change is not just convenient, it’s a revolution. And local businesses that fail to adapt risk being invisible in the new era of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

Table of Contents

  1. Key Takeaways

  2. The New Search Engines: ChatGPT & Perplexity

  3. From SEO to AEO: The Shift Explained

  4. Why Google Maps Clicks Are Declining

  5. Optimizing Your Presence for AI & Voice Search

  6. Technical Prep for AI Overviews

  7. Practical Steps for Local Businesses

  8. The Future of Location Marketing

  9. FAQs

  10. Summary

 

Key Takeaways

  • Google Maps clicks are declining as AI-powered search answers take center stage.

  • Local SEO alone isn’t enough-you need AEO (Answer Engine Optimization).

  • Presence in AI Overviews and GPT search depends on structured, conversational content.

  • Voice search is merging with local AI results-your strategy must cover both.

  • Businesses in Toronto and the GTA can win visibility by optimizing for AI-driven discovery now.

 

The New Search Engines: ChatGPT & Perplexity

Google is no longer the only game in town. ChatGPT Search and Perplexity AI are giving users direct, conversational answers without making them click through websites. Instead of a list of options, these engines aggregate information and present one trusted response.

For local businesses, this means your content must be:

  • Relevant – aligned with how people ask questions out loud.

  • Trustworthy – backed by authority, reviews, and EEAT signals.

  • Structured – easily parsed by AI crawlers.

If you’re not feeding these AI systems the right information, you’ll be excluded from the results your customers see.

 

From SEO to AEO: The Shift Explained

SEO has always been about ranking on search engine results pages. But with AEO, the question isn’t “Where do I rank?”-it’s “Am I the answer?”

Traditional SEO focuses on keywords and backlinks. AEO focuses on:

  • Conversational phrasing for voice and AI.

  • FAQ-style content optimized for snippets.

  • Entity-based optimization (your brand as a trusted source).

Local SEO and AEO now overlap. You still need citations, reviews, and GMB optimization, but unless your site is answer-ready, AI search engines will skip over you.

 

Why Google Maps Clicks Are Declining

Google Maps has always been a traffic driver, but behaviour is changing:

  • AI Overviews are answering questions above the maps.

  • Voice search queries often bypass maps entirely.

  • Younger users search TikTok first, then AI assistants, not Google Maps.

This doesn’t mean Maps is dead-it means relying only on Maps is risky. Businesses that diversify into AEO are securing a future-proof presence.

In 2024, nearly 65% of Google searches ended without a click because people got their answers instantly on the results page. Local ‘near me’ searches have surged by 200% since 2020, showing how much users rely on quick, location-based answers. What’s more, 76% of people who search for a local business visit one within 24 hours, and almost 1 in 3 local searches leads directly to a purchase. Adding to this shift, 35% of users now say they prefer AI-generated summaries over clicking on traditional Google Maps listings.”

Optimizing Your Presence for AI & Voice Search

 

Here’s how to make sure AI assistants and voice search engines recommend you:

  • Optimize for conversational queries (“Where can I get Botox in Toronto?”).

  • Publish structured FAQs on every service page.

  • Claim and enrich your GMB profile (photos, services, Q&A).

  • Earn trusted reviews-AI engines weigh reputation heavily.

  • Use schema markup so AI can easily parse your site.

Looking for a digital marketing agency in Toronto that can get your business found in AI search? Contact Unlimited Exposure today.

AI search is changing how people look for answers. In fact, 62% of Gen Z already prefer asking tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity over Google. Perplexity itself has grown rapidly, reaching over 10 million monthly users in 2024. Yet, 44% of businesses still haven’t optimized their content for AI overviews, even though 70% of AI-generated answers now include FAQ-style snippets. Looking ahead, about one in three Canadian small businesses plans to invest in AEO by 2026 to stay competitive.

Technical Prep for AI Overviews

 

AI Overviews love clean, structured data. To prepare:

  • Ensure your site has schema markup (FAQ, LocalBusiness, Product).

  • Create llms.txt to signal content usage rules for AI crawlers.

  • Optimize your meta titles and descriptions for conversational queries.

  • Prioritize mobile speed-voice search and AI results prefer fast-loading content.

Think of your site as a database feeding AI. The clearer your signals, the higher the chance of being chosen as the answer.

Voice search is quickly becoming the go-to way to find local businesses. Today, 58% of consumers already use voice to get local information, and 27% of all searches in Canada are voice-driven. Among smart speaker users, 76% perform local searches every week, showing how deeply it’s part of daily life. ‘Near me’ searches spoken by voice are growing three times faster than typed ones, and half of all voice searches are now phrased as full, natural-sounding questions.”

Practical Steps for Local Businesses

Many businesses freeze when they hear “AI search.” Don’t. Here are simple actions you can take today:

  1. Write a blog post that answers the #1 customer question in your industry.

  2. Add at least 5 FAQs to your main service pages.

  3. Ask happy customers for Google reviews and include location keywords.

  4. Use social media posts as local content signals for your area.

  5. Refresh your GMB weekly with updates, images, and promotions.

Small steps = big visibility gains in AI-driven search.

Additional resources

The Future of Location Marketing

We’re entering the AEO-first world where AI is the gatekeeper. Businesses that adapt early will dominate local visibility. Those who wait may vanish from AI-generated answers.

The future is not just about being on the map-it’s about being in the answer.

Want to future-proof your local business in the GTA? Unlimited Exposure can build your AEO strategy today.

Customer trust remains at the heart of local visibility. In 2024, 87% of people read online reviews before choosing a local business, and nearly half trust those reviews as much as a personal recommendation. Businesses with a 4-star rating or higher get 44% more clicks, proving that reputation drives action. Even AI is affected—72% of users say they trust AI answers more when reviews are cited, and 91% of buyers are more likely to choose a business that shows up in both Google Maps and AI overviews.

FAQs

Q1. What is AEO in local SEO?
 AEO stands for Answer Engine Optimization-optimizing your content so AI and voice assistants select you as the trusted answer to local queries.

Q2. How is AEO different from traditional SEO?
 SEO is about ranking; AEO is about being the answer. It requires conversational, structured, and FAQ-driven content.

Q3. Will Google Maps become irrelevant?
 Not irrelevant, but less dominant. AI Overviews and voice search are replacing clicks that once went to Maps.

Q4. How can small businesses compete in AI search?
 By focusing on niche authority, local reviews, FAQ-rich content, and voice-friendly optimization.

Q5. Does AEO help with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa?
 Yes. The same strategies that make you visible in AI Overviews also make you discoverable via voice search.

Q6. Do I need schema markup for AEO?
 Strongly recommended. Schema helps AI engines parse your content quickly and confidently.

Q7. How long does it take to see results from AEO?
 Like SEO, it varies. Some businesses see visibility boosts within weeks, especially for FAQs and voice queries.

 

Summary 

AI is rewriting the rules of local search. Google Maps is no longer enough. By embracing Local SEO + AEO, businesses can secure visibility in the new era of AI Overviews, GPT search, and voice assistants.

The future winners won’t just be on the map-they’ll be in the answer.

Ready to dominate AI search in Toronto and the GTA? Let’s talk strategy today.

 

Why Choose UnlimitedExposure.com - Toronto’s Future-Ready Digital Marketing Agency

At Unlimited Exposure, we believe digital marketing isn’t just about websites and rankings anymore. The way people search and shop is shifting-voice assistants, AI overviews, AR, and even wearable tech are changing how customers connect with businesses. That’s why Toronto companies need a partner that doesn’t just follow trends but stays ahead of them.

With nearly three decades of experience, we help local businesses design strategies that are mobile-first, voice-optimized, and ready for the AI era. From small startups to established enterprises, our goal is simple: make sure your brand shows up everywhere your customers are searching-whether that’s Google, Siri, Alexa, or even future AR platforms.



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