How to optimise for AI Overviews

Google’s AI Overview feature (formerly known as SGE – Search Generative Experience) has shaken up search results in recent months, changing how people find and consume information online. These AI-generated summaries typically sit right at the top of search result pages for certain queries, giving users quick answers without needing to click through to websites.

But what does this mean for your brand and its wider SEO strategy? Well, if you’re creating content, getting to grips with how to optimise for these overviews is becoming pretty important. In this guide we take a look at how to adapt your SEO and content strategies in order to give your brand the best opportunity of featuring in AI Overviews.

Should you even try to get featured in AI overviews?

Before jumping into optimisation tactics, it’s important to consider if targeting AI Overviews actually fits with what you’re trying to achieve. As discussed in our AI Overview guide for marketers, it’s worth remembering that unlike traditional featured snippets with direct links, AI Overviews might not drive as much traffic to your site as you may think.

This is because AI overviews are designed to answer queries right there in the search results, promoting so-called ‘zero click searches’, where a user gets the answer to their search on the search engine results page (SERP) itself. This means that although your brand might get seen more, it’s doing so without necessarily achieving the same click through rate (CTR) you would have done for ranking in position one of that same SERP in a time before AI Overviews.

That being said, there is certainly still value in having your brand cited in an AI Overview. After all, doing so puts your brand front and centre in search results, which can really boost your visibility and help establish your site as an authority in a particular field. Naturally, occupying this prime real estate in the SERPs for high volume queries can do wonders for your brand recognition.

Since AI Overviews are still relatively new, there’s a chance to get ahead while many competitors haven’t caught on yet. By developing comprehensive, well-structured material that tackles user queries head-on, you can create content that works for AI Overviews. This investment in quality content can help your overall SEO strategy, even if you don’t always make it into the overviews.

Overall, for most businesses, trying to use the potential of featuring in AI Overviews certainly outweighs the effort involved, especially since many of the optimisation techniques are just good practice for search performance generally.

How to rank in AI overviews

1. Continue ranking well in the regular SERPs

AI Overviews typically pull from content that’s already doing well in traditional search results. It appears as though Google’s AI systems favour sources that have proven their reliability and relevance through the usual ranking signals. With this in mind, to position yourself for AI overviews, you should work on improving your search rankings for key terms, keep up with solid on-page SEO techniques, and build good backlinks to boost your domain authority.

It’s also important to make sure your technical SEO foundations, including site speed and mobile optimisation are solid. Here at Click, we can help with all of the above, helping you to implement a holistic SEO strategy that covers all the bases.

Remember, AI Overviews are an extension of traditional search, not something completely different. Sites that rank well for relevant queries have the best shot at being included in these summaries.

2. Create UFC and target queries and long-tail keywords

UFC (User Focused Content) is key for getting your brand cited in AI Overviews. Your content should directly tackle specific questions that users are asking, and be structured around clear questions and thorough answers formed by long-tail keyword research. Using question-based headings that match how people naturally phrase queries helps, as does creating content that explores a topic thoroughly from different angles.

Questions starting with “how”, “why”, “what is”, and “best” are especially likely to trigger AI overviews, so when you create content that directly addresses these types of questions, you’re more likely to be included in AI-generated summaries.

3. Follow Google’s Helpful Content Guidelines and think about EEAT

It also appears that Google’s AI systems really like content that lines up with their Helpful Content Guidelines, especially content showing EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).

Make sure your content is created mainly for users, not just for search engines. Show your expertise and knowledge depth by including author bios that highlight qualifications and experience. Support your claims with data and credible sources while covering all the related questions users might have.

Content that makes it clear why readers should trust your information has a better chance of being selected for AI overviews. This means adding credentials, citing good sources, and making sure your facts are spot on.

4. Think about user intent and target ‘informational’ keywords

AI Overviews mostly show up for informational queries – when users want to learn something rather than buy something or find a specific website.

Focus on keywords that suggest people are looking for information and structure your content to give clear answers to these queries. Also, try to add context and value with supporting information, and try not to be too promotional as this might signal commercial rather than informational intent. Ultimately, understanding what people are really looking for when they search helps you create content that fits perfectly with what AI systems want to highlight in overviews.

Optimising for AI Overviews is the next step in search strategy evolution. By creating excellent content that directly answers user queries while keeping up with strong traditional SEO practices, you position your site to benefit from this emerging feature in search results. At Click Consult, we help businesses keep up with these changes, making sure your content strategy evolves alongside search technology to keep you visible in this AI-driven future.

Want to find out more about optimising your content for AI overviews? Contact our team at Click Consult today for expert guidance tailored to your business needs.