Google’s AI Overviews are a new feature in the SERPs (search engine results pages) that improves the user experience while allowing credible sources to rank higher in search results. They represent a new development in search and also an opportunity for brands.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the details of AI Overviews and share practical tips for securing these new prime spots in the SERPs.

What are AI Overviews?

Formerly known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), AI Overviews (AIOs) are AI-generated responses to a search query that summarize all of its key information.

They analyze the most reputable results for a given search term and use them to generate concise summaries in just a few paragraphs using generative AI.

An AI Overview also includes links to the sources used to generate it, as well as a separate panel with credible sources that the reader can visit for more detailed information.

In addition to links to third-party sites, AIOs can also include links from the Google Shopping Graph. Think of AIOs as enhanced featured snippets. They both serve the same purpose, but there’s an important distinction between them.

This means that if your content is mentioned as a source used to generate an AIO, it will be placed above all other elements on the results page: organic results, paid results, and featured snippets.

How do AI Overviews extract and classify content?

To optimize content for AI Overviews, let’s first look at how this SERP feature extracts and ranks content.

Google’s AI Overviews don’t just pull random information; they carefully analyze and synthesize content from multiple authoritative sources. The AI ​​prioritizes clarity, credibility, and relevance, selecting the content that best answers the query in a structured and easy-to-understand manner.

Several factors influence what content is included in an AI Overview:

• Clear and well-structured answers: Google favors content that answers queries clearly and concisely, often within the first few sentences.
• EEAT Signals: Experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness remain crucial. AI prefers content from credible, high-quality sources.
• Format and readability: Well-structured content, with clear headings, key points, and short paragraphs, is easier for AI to process and extract.
• Multimedia elements: AI can extract information from images, tables, and videos, increasing the chances of inclusion.
• Semantic relevance: AI understands topics contextually, favoring content that aligns with user intent rather than keyword stuffing.

If your content meets all of these requirements, there’s a good chance it will be included in the AI ​​Overview for that specific query.

10 Steps to Position Yourself in AI Overviews

Step 1: Identify if a query generates an AI Overview

Before optimizing content for AI Overviews, you need to determine whether that particular search query triggers this SERP feature or not. In traditional SEO, some content always ranks on the first page or in the top spots.

But AI Overviews are different. Currently, they only appear for 30% of Google search queries. That means you don’t even need to optimize content for AI Overviews for most queries.

However, if you’re targeting problem- or question-based queries, it’s best to optimize your content, as over 74% of those queries return AI Overviews.

If you want to be completely sure, here’s how to check if an AI Overview appears for your target query:

• Perform a Google search: Enter your keyword and see if an AI-generated summary appears at the top.
• Use SEO tools: Platforms like Semrush and Ahrefs are starting to track the presence of AI Overviews in search results. This method is useful if you want to test the same query for multiple locations.

However, if an AI Overview doesn’t appear for your target query, it might appear for one of its variations. Thinking through all the possible keyword variations and testing them in an SEO tool can quickly become tedious.

• Ask an AI SEO agent: The best and fastest way to test whether a query generates AI Overviews is to ask an AI SEO agent. Agents like Chatsonic can automatically check multiple keyword locations and variations, giving you the exact answer on which keywords generate AI Overviews.

Step 2: Simplify language to increase the likelihood of inclusion

Google’s AI Overviews prefer simple, clear, and easy-to-understand answers. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complicated explanations that could make it difficult for users and the AI ​​to understand.

For example, instead of writing:

“Artificial intelligence data processing algorithms can handle large volumes of information to uncover patterns invisible to the naked eye.”

Try:

“Artificial intelligence helps analyze large amounts of data to find patterns that are not easily seen.”

Another example:

Rather:

“The process of photosynthesis involves the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, using carbon dioxide and water.”

Try:

“Photosynthesis is how plants use sunlight to make their food.”

Step 3: Answer the main question as quickly as possible

Google’s AI prioritizes content that gets straight to the point. If your content hides the main answer under long introductions or unnecessary background information, it’s less likely to show up in an AI Overview. The sooner you offer a clear, straightforward answer, the easier it will be for Google to extract and use your content.

A good strategy is to start with the answer and then expand on it. This technique mirrors the inverted pyramid style used in journalism: starting with the most important information before moving on to details and context.

The inverted pyramid method ensures that even if someone only reads the first two sentences, they’ll get the essential information. In traditional articles, writers often build up the key point with prior context, but for AI Overviews, this doesn’t work. Instead, the content should start with the most relevant and direct answer before adding explanations, examples, and related information. This structure improves readability for both users and AI, increasing the likelihood that your content will be highlighted.

If your content answers the question “What is X?”, “How does X work?”, or “Why does X happen?”, make sure the first few lines provide a concise and direct answer. AI Overviews extract and categorize content that offers immediate value, so structure your content accordingly.

Step 4: Use a question-answer format for H2s

Structuring content with question-based headings makes it easier for Google’s AI to understand and extract relevant information. AI Overviews are designed to directly answer user queries, and content that follows this format is more likely to be selected.

Instead of using generic or vague headings, phrase your questions directly so they match what users are searching for. This aligns with how AI scans content: it looks for clear question-and-answer structures to efficiently generate answers.

For example, instead of writing “Types of renewable energy,” write “What are the types of renewable energy?” Then, answer the question directly, as mentioned in step 3.

This small tweak makes a big difference. A question-based H2 tells Google’s AI that the following content directly answers a user’s query. It also improves readability, making it easier for people to skim the content and find the information they need.

Step 5: Avoid superficial and generic content

Google’s AI overviews are designed to provide concise, information-rich summaries, meaning they prioritize direct, useful content free of unnecessary filler. If your content is overly long, vague, or filled with generic statements that don’t add value, it’s less likely to be selected.

Padding often manifests itself in the form of over-explaining simple concepts, adding too much background information, or using filler words that don’t contribute to the main point. AI is trained to recognize specific, actionable, and informative content, so avoid writing just to increase your word count.

For example, instead of saying:

“Recycling is a practice that involves collecting and processing used materials to create new products. Through recycling, we reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, which helps conserve natural resources.”

A stronger, more AI-friendly version would be:

“Recycling reduces environmental impact by converting waste into new products. It helps conserve resources and reduces the amount of waste in landfills.”

The second version eliminates unnecessary background information and goes straight to the core message.

Step 6: Use lists, tables, and formatting for clarity

AI overviews favor structured and scannable content. Google’s AI extracts information from web pages in a way that makes it readable in quick and digestible formats. Using bullet points, numbered lists, and tables improves the clarity of your content, making it easier for the AI ​​to extract key points.

Why format matters

Well-structured content helps AI quickly identify important information. Bullet points work well for summarizing key facts, while numbered lists are effective for step-by-step guides. Tables are particularly useful for comparisons, as they allow AI to extract data in an organized manner.

Best practices for formatting content:

• Bullet points for quick summaries – Use them to summarize key points, making your content easier to scan.
• Numbered lists for instructions – If you’re explaining a process, breaking it down into steps improves readability.
• Tables for comparisons – Organizing information into columns makes it easier for AI to extract structured data.
• Bold Keywords – Highlights important phrases so both AI and readers can quickly identify the main points.
• Short paragraphs – Keep sentences concise and break up large blocks of text for easier reading.

By breaking down content into structured formats, you make it more AI-friendly, improve the user experience, and increase your chances of ranking in AI overviews.

Step 7: Align your content with user search intent

AI overviews prioritize content that directly matches what the user is searching for. If your content doesn’t align with search intent—whether informational, transactional, or navigational—it’s unlikely to stand out.

To optimize AI overviews, first determine what type of information the query requires. For example, if someone searches for “What are the benefits of emotional intelligence?”, they expect a straightforward explanation of how emotional intelligence influences everyday life, not a deep dive into its history.

Google’s AI scans content for the most relevant and well-structured answer, so make sure your content fully addresses the core intent. If the query is seeking a step-by-step guide, present the answer in a logical sequence. If the query requires a comparison, offer a clear, side-by-side analysis. Content that accurately addresses search intent is much more likely to be selected for AI overviews.

Step 8: Give strong EEAT signals

Google’s AI overviews don’t just pull in any content; they prioritize information from trusted, expert-backed sources. This is where EAT (Expertise, Expertise, Authority, and Trust) comes in. If your content lacks credibility, it’s much less likely to be featured.

To improve your chances, start by demonstrating real-world experience. AI favors content that feels authentic, meaning firsthand perspectives, case studies, or expert opinions can make a difference. If you’re writing about emotional intelligence, for example, citing a certified psychologist or including recent studies on its benefits will give your content more weight.

Next, establish expertise. Google’s AI values ​​content from industry professionals and well-known sources. Adding biographies of credentialed authors or referencing high-authority publications helps reinforce the legitimacy of your content.

Trust is equally important. AI overviews prefer information backed by credible sources, so citing government reports, peer-reviewed studies, or respected institutions increases your trustworthiness. Avoid vague claims: be transparent, provide sources, and make your content verifiable.

Step 9: Use multimedia and visual enhancements

Google’s AI overviews don’t just focus on text; they also prioritize visually compelling and digestible content. Adding images, videos, infographics, and tables can increase your page’s chances of being featured. The AI ​​is designed to present information in the most user-friendly way, and multimedia elements improve clarity, retention, and engagement.

A well-placed infographic can simplify complex concepts, while a comparison table helps structure data in a way that AI can easily extract. If you’re explaining a process, using a step-by-step diagram makes it easier for users to follow the content—something Google values ​​when selecting content for AI overviews.

Videos are another powerful tool. Google often pulls video content directly into AI overviews, especially from YouTube. If your article includes a relevant and well-structured video summary, it can increase your visibility.

Step 10: Cite credible sources

Google’s AI overviews prioritize content that is well-researched and supported by authoritative references. AI is designed to filter out unreliable, misleading, or solely AI-generated content, so credibility is a critical ranking factor. If your content lacks adequate sources, it’s less likely to be featured.

To increase your chances, cite authoritative and reliable sources throughout your content. Google favors links from government websites, academic institutions, scientific journals, and industry leaders. For example, if you’re writing about the impact of technology on education, citing studies from the Ministry of Education or renowned universities will add credibility. If you’re covering business trends, citing reports from firms like McKinsey or Deloitte will strengthen your authority.

It’s not just about linking to sources—how you present citations matters, too. Instead of vaguely saying, “Studies show that technology improves learning,” be specific:

“A 2022 report published by Stanford University found that using digital platforms in the classroom increased student achievement by 20%.

This approach demonstrates accuracy and transparency, which AI values ​​when selecting content for AI overviews.

Also, avoid citing low-authority sources, outdated research, or user-generated content from low-quality forums and blogs. Google’s AI prioritizes fresh, well-researched information, so updating your sources regularly can help maintain your ranking potential.

AI overviews are now essential for maintaining visibility in search results. While manual optimization takes hours of careful formatting and restructuring, there is an easier way to rank in AI overviews.