For years, the formula for online business success was simple: Climb the search rankings in Google and/or shell out for ads on the dominant search site to drive traffic. But #Google’s #AIOverviews, rolled out in May 2024, are dramatically cutting clicks to websites by delivering answers, instead of links, at the top of the search page. Knowledge-driven businesses—consultancies, publishers, and e-learning platforms—have felt it first. Local outfits—think diners, plumbers, or carpenters—have mostly yet to feel the pain, as their customers arrive through location-based searches. But time is running short for them too, warn search engine optimization (#SEO) consultants who work with #smallbusinesses. Read the full story at the link in our bio. forbescreative (Illustration: Macy Sinreich for Forbes; Images by Pacharawi Imsuwan; Malte Mueller via Getty Images)