3 Things Every Local Business Must Do to Get Found on AI Search in 2026

#824 Search as we know it is dead — and if your business isn't prepared for what's replacing it, you're already behind. In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Phil Risher, owner of Phlash Consulting, to break down how AI is fundamentally reshaping the way consumers find and choose local home service businesses. Phil walks through three major inflection points in search behavior — the shift from Google to social and AI platforms, Google's indexing of short-form video content, and the rise of AI overviews and AI mode — and explains why businesses that fail to adapt risk being left behind. The conversation covers practical strategies for boosting AI visibility, including creating authoritative content from real customer call transcripts, building out FAQ pages, maintaining a strong review profile, and ensuring your website has online scheduling and pricing information for the coming wave of agentic booking. Phil also gives a peek into the near future with AI avatars, digital twins, and virtual estimating — and why the businesses that balance smart automation with genuine human connection will be the ones that win! What we discuss with Phil: 0:00 The AI Search Revolution 2:48 Three Inflection Points in Local Search 7:47 How to Train AI on Your Business 10:42 Turning Call Transcripts into Content Gold 12:06 Why Authenticity Beats Overproduced Content 17:39 Agentic Booking and Future-Proofing Your Website 23:39 Reputation Management in the Age of AI 26:51 AI Avatars and Digital Twins for Your Business 35:14 AI Agents vs. Human Touch 42:09 The Future of Ads in the AI Landscape Thank you, Phil! Check out Phlash Consulting at ⁠PhlashConsulting.com⁠: https://phlashconsulting.com/ To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/training)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/millionaire_university_mu/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MillionaireUniversityMU/) Tik Tok (https://www.tiktok.com/@millionaireuniversity_mu?lang=en) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyG31bPcrqhbjvGsuz-JaXw) Twitter (https://twitter.com/Millionaire_Uni) To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors) . Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here (https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/podcast) ! #entrepreneurship #homeservices #homeservicebusiness #aisearch #aitools #discoverability