How viability changes when businesses are summarised instead of ranked

Katina Ndlovu
Jan 22
1 min read

3D render of a phone showing ranked search results beside a laptop with an “AI summary” panel that includes or omits businesses based on representation signals, with neon green callouts like visibility shift, AI inclusion, and representation matters on a dark background. — In ranked search you compete for position, in AI summaries you compete for inclusion and accurate representation

Businesses summarised instead of ranked changes viability because you are competing for inclusion in a 2–4 option answer, not a spot in a 10 link list. Brands win by being easy to extract, verify, and position for a specific scenario. If your services, scope, and proof are unclear or inconsistent across platforms, AI omits you, misrepresents you, or describes you generically.

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