Web & AI Solutions Google AI Overviews Now Pulls More Local Business Schema -- Here Is How to Get Cited

**Research Notes (internal, not published):**

Trending topic identified: Google announced on May 19-20, 2026 a significant update to its AI Overviews feature, expanding AI Overview citations to include more structured local business data and schema-marked content in answer results. This directly affects small business visibility in Google Search for USA, Canada, UK, and Australia markets. Source context: Search Engine Roundtable and Search Engine Land coverage, May 19-20, 2026. Highest relevance: GEO/AIVO/LLMO + Schema markup + Local SEO intersection.

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**What Changed and Why It Matters**

Google expanded how AI Overviews selects and displays local business information in search results. Businesses with properly marked-up schema data on their websites are now appearing more frequently inside AI Overview panels, which sit above traditional organic results. If your website lacks structured data, Google's AI is likely citing your competitors instead of you.

**What You Should Do Right Now**

Start with these three schema types that Google AI Overviews currently favors for local businesses:

- LocalBusiness schema (name, address, phone, hours, service area)
- FAQPage schema (answers to common customer questions)
- Review schema (aggregate ratings from verified sources)

Add or update these directly in your website's HTML header or through a schema plugin if you run WordPress. Google's Rich Results Test tool at search.google.com/test/rich-results lets you verify that your markup is working correctly before you publish.

**Keep Your Google Business Profile in Sync**

The data in your Google Business Profile must match the schema on your website exactly. Mismatched addresses, phone numbers, or business names reduce the AI's confidence in your listing and lower the chance that your business gets cited in AI Overviews. Check both sources today and correct any differences you find.

**Your Next Step**

Run Google's Rich Results Test on your homepage today and confirm that your LocalBusiness schema is error-free and fully recognized.

If you want AppWT to audit your schema and AI visibility setup, schedule a free consultation at https://appwt.com/schedule or call +1 (888) 565-0171.