What Are AI Overviews and Why They Matter
Google AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of Google search results for eligible queries. They synthesize information from multiple web pages into a cohesive answer and cite the sources used.
Being cited in an AI Overview is the new equivalent of ranking #1. The AI Overview appears above all organic results, making cited sources the most visible pages on the SERP. Pages cited in AI Overviews receive significant referral traffic — often more than the top organic result.
However, getting into AI Overviews requires more than traditional SEO. You need content that AI can parse, trust, and extract passages from. The selection criteria differ from organic ranking factors.
47%
of informational queries now show AI Overviews (early 2026)
Tactics to Get Cited in AI Overviews
These tactics specifically target AI Overview inclusion. Each one increases the likelihood of your content being cited.
Rank in the top 20
AI Overviews pull from Google's existing search index. If you're not ranking at all, you won't be in the candidate set. Traditional SEO remains the foundation.
Answer in a single paragraph
Write a 2-4 sentence passage that directly answers the most likely query. Place it within the first 200 words.
Match the query format
"How to X" needs a numbered guide. "What is X" needs a definition. "X vs Y" needs a comparison table. Format matching increases citation likelihood.
Use structured data
Add FAQPage schema for Q&A content, Article schema with dateModified for freshness, and Product schema for commercial content.
Show E-E-A-T signals
Named author, publication date, update date, and source citations. AI Overviews prefer citing trustworthy sources.
Include unique data
Original research, proprietary data, and unique analysis make your page more citation-worthy. AI Overviews cite sources that add information beyond what others provide.
Keep content fresh
Update key pages at least quarterly. AI Overviews favor recently updated content, especially for topics where recency matters.
Query Types Where AI Overviews Appear Most
Not all queries trigger AI Overviews. Focus your optimization efforts on these high-opportunity query types.
Informational
High trigger rate"What is [concept]?"
Almost always triggers AI Overviews. Ensure your content has a clear definition in the first 50 words.
How-to
High trigger rate"How to [accomplish goal]"
Triggers AI Overviews that summarize steps. Structure content as numbered lists.
Comparison
High trigger rate"[A] vs [B]"
Triggers AI Overviews that compare options. Include HTML comparison tables.
Best-of
High trigger rate"Best [product] for [use case]"
Triggers AI Overviews that list and compare options. Include ranked lists with specific criteria.
Rarely triggers AI Overviews
- Navigational queries ("Facebook login")
- Transactional queries ("buy iPhone 16")
- Ambiguous single-word queries
Frequently Asked Questions
Rank in the top 20 for target queries, answer the query directly in a self-contained paragraph, use structured data (Article, FAQPage, Product schema), show strong E-E-A-T signals (author, dates, sources), and match your content format to the query type (definitions for 'What is' queries, lists for 'How to' queries, tables for comparison queries).
As of early 2026, Google AI Overviews appear on approximately 47% of informational queries in the US. This percentage is increasing as Google expands the feature to more query types and markets.
Audit Your AI Search Visibility
See exactly how AI systems view your content and what to fix. Join the waitlist to get early access.
Audit Your AI Search Visibility
See exactly how AI systems view your content and what to fix. Join the waitlist to get early access.