Google is testing a new AI feature that’s about to change the customer experience in ways few expected. When someone asks Google for prices or availability on services like haircuts, massages, or nail appointments, AI steps in—literally making the call on their behalf.
That means Google’s artificial intelligence will call local businesses, ask for details, and relay the information directly to the user. It’s like having a digital assistant quietly managing your inquiries behind the scenes.
Here’s why this matters: those AI phone calls are part of your customer touchpoints now. If your business ignores them because they sound “robotic,” it could cost you. Google tracks which businesses respond quickly and which don’t. Businesses that engage get marked as responsive and get more visibility in Search and Maps. Those that ignore calls? Google may read that as poor service—leading to fewer customer referrals.
This experiment signals Google’s next big move: integrating AI into every layer of local search. From AI-powered summaries to automated calls, the future of visibility depends on being responsive not only to customers but also to Google’s AI itself.
This is the moment to make sure your business systems, phone response, and service availability are ready for an AI-driven search experience. The earlier you adapt, the stronger your digital presence will be as this technology rolls out more broadly.
