Google’s AI Overviews Are No Longer Unbeatable—Here’s How to Win Back Your Spot
For the last year, it’s felt like Google’s AI Overviews were an immovable wall at the top of the SERP—pushing organic listings down, hijacking clicks, and leaving businesses scrambling to adapt.
But now? The wall is cracking.
According to a new study, AI Overviews are no longer guaranteed to appear in the top spot. In fact, 12.4% of them now rank below position one on desktop searches in the U.S. That’s a massive jump from under 2% just a month ago.
At Forward First Media, we see this as a signal:
Google is listening to user behavior—and businesses that stay agile have a chance to rise.
But now? The wall is cracking.
According to a new study, AI Overviews are no longer guaranteed to appear in the top spot. In fact, 12.4% of them now rank below position one on desktop searches in the U.S. That’s a massive jump from under 2% just a month ago.
At Forward First Media, we see this as a signal:
Google is listening to user behavior—and businesses that stay agile have a chance to rise.
Why AI Overviews Are Losing the Top Spot
Let’s break down the data:
- AI Overviews still appear in 19% of all U.S. desktop keyword searches
- 87.6% still rank in position 1
- But now, 7.6% show up in position 2, 2.8% in position 3, and 2% are ranking even lower
Most interesting?
Transactional queries—the kind home service businesses rely on—are more likely to see AI Overviews pushed down the page. In fact, 22.7% of those are ranking 4th or lower.
That’s the opening. And it’s real.
Transactional queries—the kind home service businesses rely on—are more likely to see AI Overviews pushed down the page. In fact, 22.7% of those are ranking 4th or lower.
That’s the opening. And it’s real.
Why This Matters for Home Service Businesses
If you’ve been buried below AI Overviews for keywords like:
- “Furnace repair near me”
- “Drain cleaning Traverse City”
- “AC installation quote”
There’s now a real shot at reclaiming those clicks—if you optimize the right way, and do it fast.
What’s Driving This Shift?
Google appears to be adapting based on user behavior.
If users skip AI Overviews and click on traditional organic results, those results start rising back up.
In other words, Google’s AI isn’t in full control—your users are.
This creates a massive opportunity for local service businesses who focus on user-centric SEO.
If users skip AI Overviews and click on traditional organic results, those results start rising back up.
In other words, Google’s AI isn’t in full control—your users are.
This creates a massive opportunity for local service businesses who focus on user-centric SEO.
How to Optimize and Win in the New AI-Organic Mix
1. Focus on Transactional and Informational Queries
These are the searches most likely to trigger AI Overviews—but also the ones where you can now outrank them.
Target keywords like:
Target keywords like:
- “Cost of AC installation in [city]”
- “Emergency plumber open now”
- “How much does drain cleaning cost?”
These blend intent + urgency, which AI often fails to satisfy fully.
2. Maximize Your Click-Through Rate (CTR)
If Google is watching what users click, then you need to give them something worth clicking.
Optimize your:
Optimize your:
- Title tags to lead with benefits or urgency: (Example: “Same-Day AC Repair in Petoskey | Licensed & Local”)
- Meta descriptions to highlight unique selling points
- Rich snippets, such as organization, local business, review stars, pricing, FAQs, services or service areas
3. Monitor SERP Behavior Like a Hawk
AI Overviews don’t appear for every search—and now, even when they do, they aren’t always on top.
Track:
Track:
- Which of your keywords show AI Overviews
- Which positions your organic listings hold
- Bounce rates and click behavior for those queries
Then, double down on the pages that are regaining visibility.
4. Build for Both Humans and AI
Google’s search results are now a mix of:
- AI-generated summaries
- Traditional organic results
- Local map packs
- Paid ads
To win in this hybrid environment:
- Write clear, concise content that answers questions directly (great for AI Overviews)
- Use schema markup to help Google pull in the right data
-
Build trust with real-world proof: reviews, credentials, and service guarantees
What Happens If You Ignore This & Don't Take Advantage Of The Opportunity?
- You’ll miss opportunities to rise in rankings as AI Overview behavior changes
- You’ll continue losing clicks to AI summaries—even when users prefer human-written content
- You’ll fall behind competitors who are already adapting
- You'll get less leads, calls and revenue for your home service business
You Can Beat AI—By Being Human
The study proves it: users aren’t blindly trusting AI.
They still click real businesses. They still want real answers. And Google is starting to respond.
For home service companies, this is your chance to:
They still click real businesses. They still want real answers. And Google is starting to respond.
For home service companies, this is your chance to:
- Reclaim high-intent traffic
-
Stand out with better offers and more useful content
- Win in a SERP that’s finally tilting back toward real businesses
Let's Set The AI Overview Record Straight
Google’s AI Overviews may be powerful—but they’re not unbeatable.
By staying focused on user behavior, building conversion-focused content, and monitoring the SERPs closely, home service businesses can turn this AI shake-up into a growth opportunity.
At Forward First Media, we help contractors, technicians, and service pros optimize for both AI and human search intent—because real-world leads still come from real-world strategy.
By staying focused on user behavior, building conversion-focused content, and monitoring the SERPs closely, home service businesses can turn this AI shake-up into a growth opportunity.
At Forward First Media, we help contractors, technicians, and service pros optimize for both AI and human search intent—because real-world leads still come from real-world strategy.
Want help climbing back to the top spot in search results?
Let’s make the AI era work for your business—not against it.