AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of Google search results, synthesizing information from multiple web sources to answer user queries directly on the search page. Launched as "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) in Google Labs in 2023 and officially rebranded to "AI Overviews" in May 2024, they represent Google's biggest change to search results presentation in over a decade.
Unlike featured snippets that pull from a single source, AI Overviews combine information from several web pages into a cohesive summary, with source links displayed alongside or below the generated text. In late 2025, Google expanded this further with "AI Mode," a dedicated tab for deeper conversational queries.
Why AI Overviews Matter
AI Overviews occupy the most valuable real estate in search: the very top of the page, above all organic results, above featured snippets, and in many cases above ads. When an AI Overview appears, it pushes traditional organic results further down the page, changing click behavior significantly.
Early studies from Seer Interactive showed that pages cited in AI Overviews experienced a net positive effect on organic clicks, while pages that weren't cited but ranked organically for the same queries saw traffic declines. The rich get richer, and the uncited get pushed further down.
Google has been expanding the trigger rate steadily. AI Overviews appeared in an estimated 13-19% of search queries by late 2025 (Ahrefs, SE Ranking), with coverage varying significantly by topic and query type. Complex, multi-part questions trigger AI Overviews more often than simple navigational queries.
For brands, the implication is clear: being cited in AI Overviews is becoming as important as ranking in the top three organic positions. And the optimization strategies are different enough that simply doing good SEO isn't sufficient.
How AI Overviews Work
Google's AI Overviews are powered by a combination of their Gemini model and their existing Search index. Here's the process in simplified terms:
Query Analysis
Google determines whether a query benefits from an AI-generated summary. Informational, comparison, and "how to" queries trigger AI Overviews most frequently. Simple navigational queries ("facebook login") or queries with clear single answers ("what time is it in London") generally don't.
Source Selection
Google's system identifies relevant web pages from its index, similar to how it selects organic results but with additional emphasis on content that contains structured, quotable answers. SE Ranking found that 65% of pages cited by Google AI Mode include structured data. Pages with Organization, FAQ, Article, and Product schema appear at disproportionately high rates.
Answer Synthesis
The Gemini model synthesizes information from selected sources into a coherent summary. It may combine data points from 3-5 different pages, attribute specific claims to their sources, and present the information in a format that directly addresses the user's question.
Source Attribution
Sources are displayed as clickable links alongside the AI Overview. On desktop, sources appear as cards on the right side. On mobile, they appear as expandable links below the summary. The number of cited sources varies, but 3-6 is typical.
AI Overviews vs. Featured Snippets
| Factor | Featured Snippets | AI Overviews |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Single web page | Multiple web pages synthesized |
| Content type | Extracted directly from one page (paragraph, list, or table) | AI-generated summary combining multiple sources |
| Position | Position zero (above organic results) | Above position zero (pushes everything down) |
| Attribution | Single source link | Multiple source links (3-6 typical) |
| Trigger rate | ~12% of queries (Ahrefs) | ~15-25% and growing (BrightEdge, Authoritas) |
| User interaction | Click to visit the source page | Read the summary or click source links. Many queries answered without a click. |
| How to win | Concise answer formatting, AEO tactics | Structured data, authority signals, multi-topic depth, GEO tactics |
How to Get Cited in AI Overviews
Getting your content into AI Overviews requires a combination of technical optimization and content quality signals. Here's what the data shows works.
Implement structured data aggressively
Schema markup is the strongest technical signal. Add Organization schema to your homepage, FAQ schema to any page with Q&A content, Article schema to blog posts and guides, and Product schema to e-commerce pages. Google's AI uses structured data to understand what your page is about and whether it's a credible source.
Structure content in answer-ready blocks
AI Overviews pull from specific sections of pages, not entire pages. Structure your content so each H2 section answers a distinct question with a clear, quotable summary in the first paragraph. Use descriptive headings ("How to Calculate Amazon ACoS" rather than "Calculation Method").
Include specific data with sources
AI Overviews frequently cite pages that contain specific statistics, percentages, and data points with named sources. "Brands using structured product data saw 65% higher click-through rates in AI responses (SE Ranking, 2025)" is the kind of content that gets pulled into AI summaries. Vague claims without data rarely do.
Build topical authority
Sites that cover a topic comprehensively across multiple related pages get cited more often than sites with a single page on the topic. If you want to be cited for "project management software," you need content covering features, pricing, comparisons, implementation, and best practices, not just one overview page.
Keep content fresh
AI Overviews favor recently updated content, especially for topics where information changes. Add dateModified to your Article schema and actually update your content when new data becomes available.
Example: Turning AI Overviews into a Traffic Source
An e-commerce analytics platform found that Google AI Overviews were appearing for 40% of their target keywords — and citing three competitors but not them. They implemented a three-pronged approach: restructured their top blog posts with answer-first formatting under every H2, added FAQ schema to 12 key pages, and updated content with specific statistics from named sources. The Seer Interactive study of 3,119 queries across 42 client organizations found that brands cited in AI Overviews have 35% higher organic CTR and 91% higher paid CTR than non-cited brands. Within three months, the analytics platform started appearing in AI Overviews for 11 of their target queries, and saw measurable increases in both organic traffic and conversion rates from those pages.
Common Mistakes with AI Overviews
- Assuming high organic rankings guarantee AI Overview citations. Google's AI selects sources based on different criteria than organic rankings. A page ranking #8 with excellent structured data and clear answer formatting can be cited in AI Overviews while the #1 page without schema is ignored.
- Blocking AI access to your content. Some publishers have blocked Googlebot from AI training. This doesn't affect AI Overviews (they use the regular search index), but it's worth understanding the distinction. Blocking Google's regular crawler will remove you from AI Overviews as well.
- Writing content that's too broad. AI Overviews pull specific answers to specific questions. A 5,000-word page that meanders through a topic without clear answer blocks won't be selected as often as a well-structured page with clear H2 sections that each answer a distinct question.
- Ignoring the click-through implications. Some queries will be fully answered by the AI Overview, reducing clicks. Optimize for queries where the AI Overview creates interest rather than satisfying it (comparison queries, "how to" queries with multiple steps, topics requiring nuanced judgment).
- Not monitoring which of your pages get cited. Google Search Console doesn't yet separate AI Overview traffic clearly. Use AI Radar to track which of your pages appear in AI Overviews and how that changes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AI Overviews the same as Google SGE?
Yes. Google rebranded "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) to "AI Overviews" in May 2024 when it moved from Labs beta to general availability. The functionality is the same: AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. "AI Mode" (launched late 2025) is a separate, deeper conversational interface.
Can I opt out of AI Overviews?
Not directly. If your pages are indexed by Google, they can be used as sources for AI Overviews. You can add "nosnippet" meta tags, but this also prevents your pages from appearing in featured snippets and may hurt your overall visibility. Most brands benefit more from optimizing for AI Overviews than from trying to opt out.
Do AI Overviews reduce organic traffic?
For some queries, yes. When the AI Overview fully answers a simple question, fewer users click through to the source pages. However, being cited as a source in AI Overviews provides brand visibility and authority. For complex queries, AI Overview citations can actually increase clicks by establishing your brand as a trusted source. The net effect depends on your query mix.
How do AI Overviews affect local businesses?
Local queries ("best Italian restaurant near me") still primarily use Google's local pack results. AI Overviews appear more often for informational and comparison queries than local intent queries. However, queries like "best [service] in [city]" are increasingly getting AI Overviews that mention specific businesses.
How are AI Overviews different from ChatGPT or Perplexity responses?
AI Overviews operate within Google Search and use Google's search index as their primary source. ChatGPT uses training data plus optional web browsing. Perplexity always searches the web and provides inline citations. The optimization overlap is significant (structured content, authority signals, schema markup all help across platforms), but the source selection algorithms differ. A full GEO strategy covers all three.
AI Overviews are reshaping Google Search from a list of links into an answer engine. Brands that optimize for this shift will capture the majority of visibility. Those that don't will see their organic traffic erode. AI Radar monitors your presence in ChatGPT, and our AI Visibility service ensures your content is structured to win citations. Schedule a consultation to understand how AI Overviews are affecting your search traffic.