Lately, more and more business owners are saying the same thing:
“My phone isn’t ringing. Something feels off. Business was great… and then it wasn’t.”
In this episode of The Outcome Academy Podcast, Ginny explores a quiet but powerful shift that’s changing how customers find and choose local businesses, often without any warning. More people are skipping traditional Google searches and asking AI tools direct questions like “Who’s the best service provider near me?” And instead of a list of options, they’re getting just a few answers.
This episode breaks down what AI-driven search really means for small, service-based businesses, why good businesses can suddenly feel invisible, and how answering real customer questions clearly and consistently is now one of the most important visibility strategies available.
You’ll learn:
- Why changes in search behavior often show up first as “the phone stopped ringing”
- How AI tools decide which businesses to recommend
- Why Marcus Sheridan’s They Ask, You Answer philosophy matters more than ever
- What you can do right now to improve clarity, trust, and discoverability
The good news? This is fixable, and you have options.
If you already have a blog, you can absolutely DIY this with the right focus and structure.
If you want guided support, the Compound Marketing Machine course walks you step by step through creating content that answers real questions and builds long-term visibility:
👉 https://www.outcomeacademy.com/compound
If you’d rather have this handled for you, we also offer done-for-you content and AI visibility services through Highland Business Center. You can explore those packages here:
👉 https://www.newberncowork.com/services
And if you want a practical, no-fluff way to put everything from this episode into action, we created a workbook to help you assess, organize, and improve how your business shows up in AI search:
👉 https://www.outcomeacademy.com/aisearchworkbook
This episode isn’t about panic or trends.
It’s about clarity, adaptation, and making smart decisions in a changing landscape.
Thanks for listening to The Outcome Academy Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep learning how to work ON your business with systems, strategy, and practical tools, here are a few ways to stay connected:
🌐 Explore resources, programs, and support:
https://www.outcomeacademy.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/ginny.outcomeacademy
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https://www.instagram.com/ginny.outcomeacademy/
🎥 YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@outcomeacademy
💼 LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/outcome-academy
If this episode was helpful, be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss future conversations. And if someone you know is building a service-based business and feeling stuck in the day-to-day, feel free to share this episode with them.
Your outcome isn’t a wish. It’s a decision.