How to Rank in AI Overviews: A New Path to Better SEO Rankings
Search engines are evolving, and so is search engine optimization (SEO). Ever since AI overviews were launched on May 14, 2024, Google has changed the way users consume information. All the featured snippets now come below, along with a summary answer written with the help of AI.
These AI-generated summaries sift through multiple sources and provide quick answers right at the top of Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
So, does this mean that traditional organic SEO strategies may no longer be enough?
If so, how to get listed in AI platform responses? Don’t worry, We are here to help you.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What is AI Overview.
- How does it affect SEO
- How to rank in AI overviews
What Are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience or SGE) are AI featured snippets that appear on the top of SERP. These summaries use Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to extract, synthesize, and present information from multiple web sources.
So basically, the need to search all pages and dig out the information is done easily by these overviews.
Unlike traditional search results, here you get answers to complex, multi-step queries in a single response.
For instance, searching “best cities for tech startups with low cost of living in the U.S.” returns an AI Overview that considers multiple ranking factors, such as cost of living, access to talent, and business ecosystem. And then, you will see some top cities like Austin, Atlanta, and Seattle (see below).
How Do AI Overviews Affect SEO?
AI overviews are reshaping SEO by providing concise content summaries that help search engines quickly assess relevance. These summaries can boost visibility by improving the chances of appearing in rich snippets and knowledge panels. Additionally, they encourage better keyword optimization and content structure, aligning with user search intent for improved rankings.
1. Best for Informational Intent Websites
A study by Ahrefs shows that 99.2% of informational intent keywords trigger an AI Overview. Only 10% of commercial or transactional keywords have a chance to show up in AIOs. So, for businesses and content creators, these insights encourage a focus on informational content, such as:
- How-tos
- Step guides
- Educational articles
2. Easy with Keyword Rankings
While AI overviews encourage high authority websites, new websites can still compete effectively in the AI Overview space.
Here’s how:
- Focus on Low-Difficulty Keywords – You don’t need to compete on high KDs. Keywords with difficulty below 30 can easily rank in AI Overviews.
- Needs fewer backlinks – Compared to non-AIOs, to rank in overviews, you do not need a massive backlink profile. Even fewer backlinks can work to achieve rankings.
3. Favoring Authoritative Sources
Google prioritizes E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) content. Well, what do these mean?
- Experience means the author knows the topic well.
- Expertise shows they have special skills or knowledge.
- Authoritativeness means others respect their work.
- Trustworthiness means the information is reliable and safe.
When content meets these standards, it’s more likely to rank high in search results.
The SEO clarity survey also backs it up. They found that 99.5% times AIO ranks 1-10 ranking pages in SERPs.
4. More Competition for Top Spots
Since AI Overviews pull from multiple sources, more websites are now competing for limited spots in Google’s top results. This means it’s harder to stand out!
To improve your chances of ranking well, then try to:
- Use SEO best strategies and optimize your meta titles, definitions, and meta descriptions. Use the inverted pyramid style of writing to rank better.
- Consistently provide high-quality, relevant information on your website.
- Build a strong domain authority.
5. Change in Search Behaviour
AI Overviews provide users with direct answers, reducing the need to click on any result in SERP. This means that website traffic could decline. In fact, after the addition of AIOs, studies show 140% drop in traffic.
So, if your content doesn’t appear in AI overviews SEO, users looking for detailed answers may never visit your site.
How Do Google AI Overviews Work?
Google’s AI Overviews work by integrating multiple AI technologies like:
- Google’s Gemini AI Model – The backbone of AI Overviews, responsible for generating answers.
- Knowledge Graph – Provides structured information on entities like businesses, places, and people.
- Search Ranking Algorithms – Determines which sources to prioritize in AI Overviews.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) – Ensures responses are conversational and context-aware.
- People Interactions – Google uses data on what people search for, how they interact with the results, and what feedback they provide.
Note: Not every search comes with an AI overview.
What AI Overviews Look Like?
So, you know what is Google Overview? Then, you can understand AIOs, too. AIOs appear in different formats:
1. Mini-Informational Articles
AI Overviews can generate concise, detailed articles summarizing key points of a topic. These are best suited for broad intent questions like:
- How does AI content optimization work?
2. Lists
AI Overviews can also display information as lists, making it easy for users to quickly absorb key details.
Example queries:
- Remedies for hair fall
3. Tables
Side-by-side comparisons are very common for explaining distinctions clearly.
Example: Local SEO vs Organic SEO difference
These AI-generated summaries often include clickable links, allowing users to explore the original sources.
Key Components of AI Overviews
These components work together to create a comprehensive and user-friendly resource that caters to different learning needs:
Summaries and Key Takeaways
Often, AI overviews will start or end with a summary that highlights the main points. This helps you grasp the essentials quickly without reading everything in detail.
Link Cards/Additional Resources
- These cards offer links to related content, often categorized by subtopic or content type (e.g., videos, articles, product reviews).
- They provide diverse resources and allow users to delve deeper into specific aspects of the query.
Visual Elements (Sometimes)
- Depending on the query, AI Overviews may include visual elements like images, charts, or graphs.
- These visuals can help users understand complex information more easily.
Are AI overviews accurate?
Not always, AIOs can and will make mistakes.
A study by Search Engine Journal found that AI answers misquoted statistics in 43% of cases.
Generative AI is a work in progress, and information quality may vary. While AI leans into machine learning and Gen AI models, it might take up misleading or factually incorrect information too.
The accuracy of content depends on –
- Source credibility
- Algorithm updates
- Query complexity
Hence, it is important to fact-check your content before hitting the publish button.
Why are AI overviews important for SEO?
Google’s AI Overviews are shaking up search results. But what does this mean for SEO?
- Zero-Click Searches Are Growing – Its main aim is to help readers get the most concise answer to their queries. With AIOs, users get answers without clicking on websites.
- SEO Is More Than Just Ranking Now – Traditional SEO focused on appearing at the top of search results. AI Overviews are changing the game by prioritizing concise, authoritative answers.
- Quality Over Keywords – Google now values content that’s clear, informative, and answers user queries quickly. Stuffing keywords won’t cut it anymore.
How to Rank for AI Overviews (Key Strategies to Rank in AI Overviews)
Here are the strategies to rank for AI overviews:
1. Write for Real People, Not Just Algorithms
SEO, in the end, boils down to creating content that resonates with users. Rather than just pleasing the algorithm, ask yourself ‘Does my content satisfy the readers?”
- Understand the user search intent and behavior patterns. What are people actually looking for when they type in a search query? Put yourself in their shoes.
- Provide concise, direct answers in the first 2-3 sentences.
- AI understands natural language better now. Focus on conversational tone and write the way people talk.
- Use structured formatting like bullet points and numbered lists.
- Of course, keywords are still important. But don’t force them in where they don’t belong. Include keywords naturally in the content.
2. Give Google a Helping Hand with Schema Markups
Think of schema markup as a way to give Google extra clues about what your content is about. It’s like labeling your boxes when you move so everyone knows where everything goes.
- Implement Relevant Schema: Use FAQ, How-To, and List schemas to help Google understand the structure and content of your pages.
- Verify in Google Search Console: Regularly check your schema implementation in GSC to make sure there are no errors. Tools like Schema.org’s markup validator can help you troubleshoot.
3. Be the Expert Everyone Trusts
Ensure your content follows E-E-A-T principles:
- Cite authoritative sources. This could include research papers, government publications, or respected industry websites. When you back up your claims with strong references, it builds trust with your readers.
- Update content regularly to maintain accuracy.
- Earn backlinks from trusted sites and showcase expertise in your niche. Try guest posting, collaborating on projects, or simply creating high-quality content that others want to share.
4. Target Long-Tail & Conversational Queries
AI Overviews favor natural language searches. To optimize:
a) Target Question-Based Searches
- Use FAQ sections addressing common queries.
- Write with a direct and easy-to-understand approach.
b) Focus on Voice Search Optimization
- People often use full sentences in voice searches—adjust your keyword strategy accordingly.
5. Master Internal & External Linking
According to Google, “AI Overviews provide links to resources that support the information in the snapshot, and explore the topic further.”
In short, when you have links backing up the claims to your answers, it shows that your site has depth on the topic. This increases your chances of ranking in AIOs increase.
Here’s what you should focus on:
- Shows Google What’s Important: Strong internal linking signals to Google which pages are most relevant and authoritative on your site.
- Helps with Context: It provides context for your content, showing how different pages relate to each other.
- Make Links Relevant: When adding links, both internal and external, ensure they are relevant to the topic at hand. Irrelevant links can confuse readers.
- Optimize Anchors: Use descriptive anchor text for your links. This means the clickable text should indicate what the linked content is about—for both users and search engines to understand the anchor better.
6. Regularly Update & Expand Content
Google loves fresh, relevant content. Keep your website up-to-date by regularly adding new content and updating existing pages.
- Remove Obsolete Data: Add new and updated data and stats. Are there any irrelevant headings? Remove them. Or should any new sections be added as per the changes in the topic? Add them.
- Add Multimedia: Incorporate images, videos, and infographics to make your content more engaging and informative.
7. Manage Your Online Presence & Reputation
AI Overviews don’t just pull data from your website—they gather insights from various third-party sources. To control how your brand is represented:
a) Be Active on Social Media
- Share insightful content and interact with users.
- Respond to questions and comments actively.
b) Engage in Online Communities
- Participate in relevant discussions on Reddit, Quora, and forums.
- Provide valuable responses to establish thought leadership.
c) Monitor Customer Reviews & Feedback
- Respond to negative reviews professionally.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive feedback.
8. Utilize Google Search Console (GSC) for SEO Insights
Google Search Console provides valuable insights into how Google perceives your site. Use these tools effectively:
a) Analyze Search Queries
- Navigate to the Performance tab in GSC.
- Identify search queries driving traffic—are they relevant?
b) Assess Relevance & Optimize
- If unrelated queries are ranking, adjust content to better align with user intent.
c) Verify Structured Data Implementation
- Check GSC’s Enhancements section for structured data errors.
- Use Schema.org’s markup validator to troubleshoot issues.
Conclusion
Google’s AI Overviews are changing the SEO practices. To stay ahead, focus on:
- Well-structured, authoritative content
- Schema markup & structured data
- Expert-level, research-backed insights
Want to learn more?
Check out Google’s AI Guidelines for ethical, fair, and secure AI development.
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