Related Posts
Podcasts
Everyone is talking about how search is changing. But what can you actually do about it? With the rise of AI-driven features like AI Overviews, will traditional SEO tactics still work? And if not, what should you be doing instead?
This new AI Search Overview format summarises content from multiple sources, giving users quick answers powered by advanced AI. For marketers and SEO professionals, this means it’s time to rethink your strategies. Optimising for AI Overviews isn’t just about keywords anymore, it’s about creating clear, authoritative, and structured content that Google’s AI can easily understand and trust.
In this article, you’ll learn what Google’s AI Overviews are, how they impact traditional SEO, and practical steps you can take to optimise your content to rank in this new search environment. By adapting to these changes now, you can stay ahead of the curve and keep your site visible as search evolves.
SEO isn’t dead. But, it is changing.
What Are Google’s AI Overviews?
Google’s AI Overviews are a new way the search engine delivers information. Instead of showing a list of links like traditional search results, AI Overviews provide a concise summary that pulls insights from multiple sources across the web. Think of it as a quick, AI-generated briefing designed to answer users’ questions faster.
These Overviews use advanced artificial intelligence models to understand content contextually, combining data points to offer a clearer and more comprehensive answer. This means users might get what they need without clicking through multiple sites.
Unlike traditional results where websites compete for clicks, AI Overviews prioritise content that is authoritative, well-structured, and easy for AI to digest. This shift is transforming how search works, putting new pressure on content creators to adapt.
Impact on Traditional SEO Strategies
You’ve probably heard it before: “AI Overview is killing SEO.”
First off, it’s important to understand where that comes from, and then assess it’s accuracy.
The above graph shows the crash that HubSpot has experienced in their SEO since AI Overview was launched. What this means, is that it’s entirely expected to experience lower traffic levels when users can find answers without clicking on a website.
However, it’s also important to note that showing up first on AI Overview is still important at generating traffic from users that are looking for more information than what can be provided in a quick AI Overview snippet. In other words, SEO isn’t dead, but the way users interact with your website and how they find you is changing.
And as such, how you deal with that as a brand also has to change.
So, what should you do about it?
Optimising Content for AI Overviews
To rank well in Google’s AI Overviews, your content needs to be both authoritative and structured so that AI can easily understand and trust it. There are three key things you can sart doing right now to optimise for AI Overviews:
1. Create High-Quality, Authoritative Content
Focus on producing clear, accurate, and comprehensive content that answers your audience’s questions thoroughly. Avoid fluff or vague information. AI prefers content that’s precise and well-researched.
2. Implement Structured Data Markup
Structured data helps Google’s AI understand the different parts of your content, such as headlines, sections, and key facts. Use schema markup relevant to your content type to increase the chances of being featured in AI Overviews. Practically speaking, this means including a table of contents in your blog articles, and if it’s relevant including a FAQ section. Seems simple, but it can make all the difference.
3. Enhance Readability and Engagement
Make your content easy to scan with clear headings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs. The AI looks for content that’s not only informative but also user-friendly. Engaging content that keeps visitors on your page longer signals value and trustworthiness.
By focusing on these areas, you improve your chances of being selected as a source for AI Overviews, helping your content get more visibility in this new search format.
Adapting to the Future of Search
Google’s AI Search Overviews represent a significant shift in how information is delivered and consumed online. Traditional SEO alone isn’t enough to stay visible in this new landscape. By focusing on creating authoritative, well-structured content and leveraging tools like structured data, you can position your site to succeed in AI-driven search results.
And yeah, maybe your search traffic will be a little lower at times as this new feature is rolled out. However, it doesn’t change the fact that ranking well is still as important as ever.
Next, find out 20 things you can do to improve your SEO, even if nothing else is working.
