Searching on Google today feels different. You ask a question, and a ready-made answer appears right at the top without scrolling or clicking. That’s AI Overviews in action. For users, it’s fast and easy. But for businesses and creators, it’s a new challenge. If your content isn’t part of those AI answers, it may never get seen.
This blog is here to help you change that. We’ll show you how to shape your content so it speaks to both people and AI, clearly, confidently, and with purpose. Let’s help your work stay visible where it matters most, right at the top.
Table of contents
- What are AI Overviews?
- Why do AI Overviews matter for SEO?
- How to optimise your content for AI Overviews?
- Make your content so good, AI wants to quote you
- Use schema markup — Speak Google’s language
- Make visuals work for you and AI
- Think like the user, not just the algorithm
- Structure your content for skimmers, scanners, and AI crawlers
- Embrace semantic SEO — Go beyond just keywords
- Write like you’re talking to someone
- Keep an eye on what’s working and what’s not
- Conclusion
What are AI Overviews?
Imagine ‘Googling’ a question and getting a full, thoughtful answer right at the top before you even click on a single link. That’s essentially what AI Overviews are.
They’re not your typical list of blue links. Instead, Google’s generative AI pulls together information from several trusted websites and presents a summarised, conversational answer, all designed to give you what you’re looking for, faster.
When do AI Overviews show up?
AI Overviews tend to appear for:
- Informational queries, like “What is E-E-A-T in Google guidelines?”
- Comparative searches, such as “Best laptop for graphic design vs. video editing”
- Transactional queries, especially those involving service or product overviews such as “SEO agency for small businesses in the UK.”
- And more complex, multi-layered questions, like “How will AI content generation impact E-E-A-T signals, and what adjustments should SEOs make to their link-building strategies?”
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How do AI Overviews on the SERP overlap with existing features?
Are you confused if AI Overviews take the place of current SERP (Search Engine Results Page) features, or do they appear side-by-side? According to a study from Semrush, these are the features that typically share the SERP with AI Overviews.
Source: SEMRUSH
How are AI Overviews different from featured snippets?
Good question. While featured snippets grab a quote or paragraph from a single website, AI Overviews blend multiple perspectives into one cohesive summary. They’re less about quoting and more about understanding. AI overviews are designed to satisfy your search intent right there on the page without needing to click further.
That’s helpful for users, but here’s the catch for content creators as they get fewer clicks. If your website isn’t referenced in the overview, your traffic could take a hit. On the flip side, if your content is cited, you can earn some seriously valuable visibility.
Why do AI Overviews matter for SEO?
Google’s move toward generative AI isn’t just a minor update; it’s a whole new way of delivering information. Instead of showing a bunch of links and hoping users click one, Google is now trying to give people exactly what they need right there on the search page.
That changes things for creating content. More and more users are starting to trust these AI-generated summaries for quick answers. And let’s be honest, if they get what they need without clicking through to a website, they probably won’t. That means fewer eyes on your site, even if your content is excellent.
The biggest risk? If your content isn’t included in these AI Overviews, it could quietly fall off the radar. No citation, no traffic. That’s a hard truth, especially for businesses that rely on search visibility.
But here’s the upside: this is also a huge opportunity. If you adapt early and shape your content so AI can understand and use it, you’re ahead of the game. Being quoted in an AI Overview can put your brand front and centre.
This not only builds credibility and boosts brand recognition but also draws in an audience hungry for genuine expertise beyond surface-level answers. That’s precisely where your content can truly shine.
So yes, the game is changing, but with the right strategy, you can win.
How to optimise your content for AI Overviews?
If Google’s new AI Overviews are changing how people find information, then it’s time we changed how we create it. This isn’t just another SEO tweak; it’s a whole new mindset. Think less about ranking for keywords and more about becoming the go-to answer.
Here’s how to do it right.
1. Make your content so good, AI wants to quote you
AI Overviews pull from content that’s clear, credible, and confidently written. You don’t just want to show up; you want to be the voice that leads the conversation.
- Answer fast and clearly: Start strong. Get to the point in your first few lines. Think of your content like a helpful friend answering a question: short, sweet, and spot on.
- Back it up: Use trusted sources like studies, reports, and official data. When AI sees you referencing the right people, it’s more likely to trust and feature you.
- Show who’s behind the content: Add author bios with credentials that matter. If you are publishing content on algorithm updates, technical SEO audits, advanced keyword research strategies, or website migration best practices, Google wants to know you’re legit.
- Build your reputation: Being cited in AI Overviews isn’t just about one blog post; it’s about your brand’s track record. Keep showing up with valuable content across platforms, social channels, and industry conversations.
- Get people to link to you: When others refer to your content, that’s a powerful credibility signal. The more people trust and share your insights, the more AI will, too.
2. Use schema markup — Speak Google’s language
You know how maps make road trips easier? Schema markup is like that, but for your content.
- Use structured data to help Google understand your content’s layout.
- Mark up things like reviews, products, or events, basically anything that deserves clarity.
- Don’t forget to add author info, publish dates, and publisher details. It’s all about transparency, and AI eats that up.
3. Make visuals work for you and AI
Yes, content is still king, but images and videos are like the royal advisors.
- Add helpful visuals: Diagrams, step-by-steps, or quick how-to videos help break down complex ideas. AI understands and often prefers this clarity.
- Use alt text wisely: Don’t just describe the image, explain what it means in context. This helps AI include your visuals in relevant summaries.
- Infographics are gold: They simplify dense topics and are highly shareable, boosting both human and algorithmic attention.
4. Think like the user, not just the algorithm
AI Overviews want to serve the best answer, not the longest one.
- Understand search intent: Is the person asking out of curiosity, frustration, or decision-making mode? Tailor your content accordingly.
- Target real questions: Use long-tail keywords that reflect how people actually ask things. “How do I start investing in my 30s?” will go further than “investment tips.”
- Answer directly: Use headers like “How to…”, “What is…”, or “Steps to…” and dive right into the answer. Don’t make the reader or AI dig for it.
5. Structure your content for skimmers, scanners, and AI crawlers too
Both people and AI love content that’s easy to follow.
- Break it up: Use clear headers (H2, H3, etc.) and short paragraphs. This makes it easier to scan, understand, and extract snippets.
- Include FAQs: These are tailor-made for AI Overviews. Answer common questions clearly and succinctly.
- Use bullet points and lists: They’re simple, clean, and ideal for AI to grab and summarise.
- Make it mobile-friendly: If your content doesn’t work well on a phone, you’re losing both users and ranking signals.
6. Embrace semantic SEO — Go beyond just keywords
Today’s AI doesn’t just look for words, it looks for meaning.
- Focus on topics, not just terms: Use entities like people, places, tools, and trends related to your subject.
- Speak the language of your niche: Include synonyms and related phrases naturally. AI loves context-rich content.
- Interlink smartly: Create topic clusters, connect your deep-dive articles to broader ones. It tells AI: “Hey, we know this stuff inside out.”
7. Write like you’re talking to someone
Voice search and AI Overviews prioritise conversational content. So ditch the robotic tone.
- Use natural language: Write how people talk. If someone asked you the question aloud, how would you respond? That’s your tone.
- Think in full phrases: Instead of “composting tips,” try “what’s the best way to compost kitchen waste?”
- Q&A format wins: It’s simple and intuitive, and works beautifully for both readers and search engines.
8. Keep an eye on what’s working and what’s not
You won’t get it perfect on the first try. And that’s okay.
- Refresh regularly: Update top-performing posts with new insights, stats, or tips. AI loves up-to-date content.
- Track AI Overview presence: Search your key queries and see what content gets featured. Study the structure, tone, and sources of cited pages.
- Use your tools: Platforms like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Google Search Console can help you see what’s working and where to tweak.
- Request reindexing: If you make big updates, nudge Google to take another look via Search Console.
Conclusion
AI Overviews are changing how people search, and that means SEO has to change too. It might seem like a big shift, but with the right steps, you can stay ahead. Focus on creating genuinely helpful, trustworthy content.
Really understand what your audience is after. Try using semantic SEO, stay updated on search trends, and explore new content formats like videos. It’s all part of growing with the times.
AI Overviews can help your brand reach more people, share valuable ideas, and build stronger connections. The future of search is already here. If you’re willing to adapt, you won’t just keep up, you’ll lead.
Have any questions about SEO or need expert support? Contact us today. We’re here to help you grow your search visibility and drive real results.
