Google Just Changed Search Again: What Contractors Need to Know About AI Overviews in 2025
Executive Brief
The Gist: Google is making website links more visible inside AI-generated search results, potentially reversing the traffic death spiral that’s been crushing contractor websites since AI Overviews launched.
- The Trap: Most contractors still don’t understand that their website traffic has been quietly bleeding out since May 2024 when Google started answering questions directly—without sending clicks to your site.
- The Play: This change creates a 90-day window to optimize your content for AI citations before your competitors figure it out.
Why This Matters to Your Bottom Line
Here’s what happened: In May 2024, Google rolled out “AI Overviews”—those AI-generated answer boxes that appear at the top of search results. A contractor searching “how to fix low water pressure” now gets an AI summary instead of clicking through to your carefully-written blog post. Industry data shows websites lost 25-40% of their organic traffic overnight.
The financial hit? A typical HVAC contractor generating 50 leads per month from Google saw that drop to 30-35 leads. At a $500 average ticket and 40% close rate, that’s $4,000 in lost monthly revenue—$48,000 annually—from a single algorithm change.
Now Google is making links inside these AI answers more prominent. When users hover over sources, they’ll see clickable links with descriptions. This is Google’s response to publishers threatening lawsuits and the DOJ antitrust case. Translation: Your website can get traffic again, but only if you’re cited as a source.
The veteran move: Stop writing generic “how-to” content. Start creating hyper-specific, data-rich guides that AI must cite because no one else has that information. Example: Instead of “HVAC maintenance tips,” write “2025 Carrier Infinity System Maintenance Schedule: Month-by-Month Checklist with Part Numbers.” AI can’t make that up—it has to link to you.
Action item: Audit your top 10 blog posts this week. Add specific data, local pricing, and brand-specific details that force AI to cite your site as the authoritative source.
Contractor FAQ
Q: Should I panic about my website traffic right now?
A: No panic, but check Google Analytics—if you’ve lost 20%+ traffic since May 2024, this change is your recovery opportunity.
Q: What’s the financial upside if I get cited in AI Overviews?
A: Early data shows cited sources get 15-30% click-through rates from AI boxes—higher than traditional position #3-5 rankings.
Q: Do I need to hire an SEO expert to take advantage of this?
A: Not immediately—start by adding specific data (prices, part numbers, local regulations) to your existing content; professional SEO optimization can accelerate results once you have the foundation.
Q: How does this affect my paid Google Ads strategy?
A: AI Overviews push ads further down the page, making organic visibility even more critical—diversify with content that earns AI citations to reduce ad dependency.
Q: What’s the single most important change I should make this month?
A: Add a “2025 Local Pricing Guide” to your website with actual numbers for your market—AI loves citing specific, current pricing data that homeowners search for.
Ready to Compare? Try Contractor Business Management Software Free
The best way to decide between Jobber and Housecall Pro is to test them with your actual business. Both platforms offer free trials—no credit card required to start exploring.
Try Jobber Free →
Best for: Commercial clients, recurring contracts, batch invoicing, clean professional PDF invoices
Start Jobber TrialTry Housecall Pro Free →
Best for: Residential customers, visual services, Uber-style tracking, photo-heavy invoices, modern marketing
Start Housecall Pro Trial💡 Pro tip: Sign up for both trials simultaneously. Run them side-by-side for 2 weeks with real jobs. The right choice will become obvious when you see which one your team actually uses and which one gets customers paying faster.
FTC Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links to software products. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on independent research and testing. We only recommend products we believe provide genuine value to contractors. For more information, see our Affiliate Disclosure Policy.
Author: Mike Warner
About the Founder Kore Komfort Solutions is an Army veteran-owned digital platform led by a 30-year veteran of the construction and remodeling trades. After three decades of swinging hammers and managing crews across the United States, I’ve shifted my focus from the job site to the back office. Our New Mission: To help residential contractors move from "chaos" to "profit." We provide honest, field-tested software reviews, operational playbooks, and insights into the AI revolution—empowering the next generation of trade business owners to build companies that last.