After 15 years helping small businesses show up in local search results, GK Media SEO has a new name. We’re now Local Lenz AI, and the reason behind the change comes down to one thing: the way people find local businesses is changing fast, and we want our clients to be ahead of it, not catching up.
The Short Version
GK Media SEO has been in the local search business since 2010. For most of that time, the playbook was fairly straightforward. Optimize your Google Business Profile, build quality backlinks, publish good content, and make sure your site was technically sound. That work still matters, but it’s no longer the whole picture.
AI is reshaping how people search for and choose local businesses. Google’s AI Overviews now answer questions directly at the top of search results. Tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are becoming go-to sources for recommendations. People are asking full questions instead of typing two-word keywords. The search experience in 2026 looks completely different than it did even two years ago.
We saw this shift coming and made the decision to get out in front of it rather than react to it later. That’s why GK Media SEO is now Local Lenz AI.
What Actually Changed (And What Didn’t)
The name is new. The mission isn’t. We still focus 100% on helping small businesses in Southern California get found by the right customers. We’re still based in Long Beach. We still take a hands-on, personal approach with every client.
What has changed is how we approach the work. On top of traditional SEO, we now build strategies specifically designed to get our clients cited and recommended by AI-powered search tools. That means structuring content so Google’s AI Overviews pull from it. It means making sure the information AI models use about your business is accurate, complete, and positioned to earn a recommendation.
We call this Answer Engine Optimization, or AEO. It sits right alongside SEO in everything we do now.
Why “Local Lenz”?
We wanted a name that reflected what we actually do. We help local businesses get seen clearly, through every lens that matters in today’s search world. Whether someone finds you through a traditional Google search, an AI Overview, a ChatGPT recommendation, or a voice assistant, we make sure your business shows up with the right information in the right context.
The “AI” in our name isn’t a buzzword. It’s a signal to our clients and future clients that we take the AI side of search seriously and have built our services around it.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
If you run a local business, here’s what you need to know. The old approach of just ranking on page one of Google still has value, but it’s not enough on its own anymore. More and more, potential customers are getting answers and recommendations from AI tools before they ever scroll through a list of search results.
If your business isn’t structured to show up in those AI-generated answers, you’re missing opportunities. And this isn’t a future problem. It’s happening right now. Google AI Overviews are live. People are asking ChatGPT where to find the best plumber in Long Beach or the most reliable HVAC company in Torrance. If your business isn’t part of those answers, someone else’s is.
That’s exactly the gap Local Lenz AI was built to fill.
Same Team, Bigger Toolbox
The team and the relationships haven’t changed. If you’ve been working with GK Media SEO, you’re still working with the same people who know your business inside and out. We’ve just added new tools, new strategies, and a sharper focus on where local search is headed.
And if you’re new to us, you’re coming in at the right time. We’re building every client strategy from the ground up with both SEO and AEO in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GK Media SEO going away?
GK Media SEO has been fully rebranded to Local Lenz AI. It’s the same ownership, same team, and same commitment to local businesses in Southern California. The name change reflects our expanded focus on AI-driven search optimization alongside traditional SEO.
What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)?
AEO is the practice of optimizing your business content so it gets cited and recommended by AI-powered tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. It involves structuring your website content, business information, and online presence so AI models can easily find, understand, and reference your business when answering relevant questions.
Do I still need regular SEO if AI is changing search?
Yes. Traditional SEO is still important for ranking in standard search results, and strong SEO signals also help your business get picked up by AI tools. The best approach in 2026 combines both SEO and AEO into one strategy, which is exactly what Local Lenz AI does for every client.
Where is Local Lenz AI located?
Local Lenz AI is based in Long Beach, California, and serves small businesses throughout Southern California.
How do I know if my business is showing up in AI search results?
That’s one of the first things we look at when working with a new client. We audit how your business appears across Google Search, Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms, then build a plan to improve your visibility wherever it’s lacking.
Ready to See How Your Business Shows Up in AI Search?
If you’re curious whether your business is being recommended by Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, or other AI tools, we’d love to take a look. Local Lenz AI offers a free local search visibility audit for small businesses in Southern California. No pressure, no long sales pitch. Just a clear picture of where you stand and what you can do about it.
