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Your diagnosis is right. Local service queries are exactly where Google has restructured the results page most aggressively – AI Overview, then ads, then maps pack, then more ads, then organic. For a lot of searches organic position 1 is now effectively position 6 or 7 on the page. A few things worth considering for your specific situation. Local intent queries are actually more protected than informational ones. “Service in city” with clear transactional intent still drives clicks because users need to book, not just get an answer. The drop you’re seeing is real but it may not get as bad as pure informational queries. Your maps presence becomes more important than ever in this environment. The maps pack is sitting above organic and below the first ad block, that’s premium real estate now. If you haven’t maxed out your Google Business Profile with services, photos, reviews and Q&A content that’s the highest leverage move right now. On the AI visibility ads you’re seeing – the honest answer is it depends entirely on how your customers are searching. For local service businesses with high transactional intent, customers are still using Google Maps and search more than AI platforms for “find me a plumber near me” type queries. AI search matters more as they move up the funnel to research and comparison. Your CAC being good on paid is actually the signal, lean into what’s working while protecting your maps presence.
