Wiki · citable explainer
Consumer use of answer engines for local discovery is rising. SME under-representation tracks structured-evidence scarcity more than market share.
As answer-engine discovery grows, identity friction becomes commercial friction. The remediation stack is known and mostly under the business’s control.
Is AI search already majority discovery?
Share varies by market and demographic. Treat growth as directional and prepare identity packaging early.
What should SMEs do first?
Canonical NAP, Organisation schema, GBP if local, selective public passport if eligible.