Google Tests Stripping Action Buttons, Reviews and Photos From AI Overview Local Packs
TLDR
Google is testing a version of the AI Overview local pack that drops action buttons, reviews, and photos from business listings.
What this Google Search test means for your site
- Status
- Test
- Platform
- Google Search, Google Business Profile
- Affects
- AI Overview local pack, action buttons, reviews, photos
- Who
- Local businesses appearing in the AI Overview local pack
- Effective
- Not specified in the source
- Action needed
- Not specified in the source
Optimixed Overview
Optimixed's original report on this story.
SERoundtable reports that Google is testing removal of the action buttons, reviews, and photos from the AI Overview version of the local pack. The change would make it harder for searchers to visit a business's website, call it, or get directions directly from Google Search.
How we got here: earlier Google Search coverage
On August 12, Google's AI Overviews for local results were frequently citing self-promotional listicles as primary sources instead of directing users to business websites. On August 14, quality concerns in AI-powered local results were noted in SERoundtable's weekly recap. Then, on September 17, Google began displaying local knowledge panels from Google Business Profiles as AI Overviews with expandable chat-style interfaces. Now, Google is testing a version of the AI Overview local pack that drops action buttons, reviews, and photos from business listings.
Summary of earlier coverage
- Oct 22Google testing new layout for local knowledge panels
Google is testing a redesigned local knowledge panel layout that reorders business information and photos to better match mobile design.
- Sep 17Google transforms local knowledge panels into AI Overview listings
Google is converting local knowledge panels from Google Business Profiles into AI Overview format with expandable chat-style interfaces.
- Aug 28Google Testing Auto-Promotion of AI Mode From Search AI Overviews
Google is testing an AI Overview experience that automatically expands to full AI Mode responses without requiring users to click a button.
- Aug 14Google Tests AI Buttons, Local Pack Slop Surfaces, and Meta Explores Search Engine
SERoundtable's weekly recap covers Google's AI home page tests, quality concerns in AI-powered local results, and Meta's web crawling activity that may signal a new search engine project.