Summary
Google’s AI Overviews now appear at the top of search results, offering instant answers pulled from across the web. While this may reduce clicks for some queries, you can stay visible by creating clear, helpful content that answers real questions. Focus on structure, relevance and building trust to stay SEO-strong in this AI-driven search landscape.
If you’ve Googled something recently and spotted a big AI-generated summary right at the top of the results page, you’ve just met Google’s AI Overviews. These new snapshots are part of Google’s plan to make search quicker and more helpful - giving people a neatly packaged answer without needing to click around.
While that’s great for users, it’s raised a few eyebrows among businesses and marketers. If Google’s AI is answering everything upfront, what happens to your hard-earned website traffic?
Don’t worry - this doesn’t mean your website content is suddenly invisible. But it does mean it’s time to understand how AI Overviews work, and how to tweak your SEO strategy to stay ahead of the change.
What Are AI Overviews?
In a nutshell, AI Overviews are Google’s way of answering questions using a blend of content pulled from across the web. They’re generated by AI and usually appear above the normal search results - sometimes before you even see a single organic link.
These summaries:
Give a quick answer to the user’s query
Pull information from various websites (yep, potentially yours!)
Often include clickable links, images, and follow-up questions
What Does This Mean for Your Website?
It’s true - AI Overviews might mean fewer clicks for certain search terms, especially simple or factual ones. But that doesn’t mean all is lost. People still click when they want more depth, products, services, or local info, especially when they trust the source.
So ,the key is this: make your content helpful, clear, and easy for the AI to understand.
How to Get Your Content AI-Ready
Here are a few practical ways to boost your chances of being featured in AI Overviews - and keep those clicks coming.
1. Add Quick, Helpful Summaries
AI loves clear answers. If your blog or service page includes a short summary (maybe a few bullet points or a “TL;DR” style intro), that’s great for AI to latch onto.
You could try:
Answering the main question in the first paragraph
Summing up key takeaways at the beginning or end of your content
Using headings and bullets to break things down
2. Write Around Real Questions
Start thinking like your audience. What would they type into Google? Try using those questions as your subheadings — especially those classic “how”, “what”, and “why” phrases.
For example:
How does SEO actually work?
What’s the best way to run Google Ads for a local business?
Why isn’t my website showing up on Google?
This helps Google match your content to specific queries - which is exactly what AI Overviews are built around.
3. Prove You Know Your Stuff
Google (and its AI) want trustworthy content, and that means showing your experience. Make it clear why your advice matters.
A few easy ways to do that:
Add author names and short bios to your blogs
Mention real experiences, case studies or stats
Keep your content fresh and up to date
4. Use Schema and Structured Content
While AI Overviews don’t have a published “rulebook” yet, adding FAQ schema and well-structured metadata helps Google understand what your content’s about - and that increases your chances of being pulled into an Overview.
Is This the End of SEO?
Nope. It’s just a shift, and one that rewards brands who are already focused on being genuinely helpful. If you’re writing high-quality content, answering real questions, and making life easier for your visitors… you’re already on the right track. It’s less about “gaming the system” and more about creating the kind of content that both people and AI want to engage with. Here’s a more in-depth guide on how to create helpful content.
AI Overviews are here to stay, and they’re already changing how people search — but with the right approach, your content can still shine. The best part? The strategies that work for AI also make your content stronger for humans. Clear, useful, structured content will always win.
Need a Hand Navigating the New Google?
At Website Success, we’re already helping our clients adapt their SEO and content marketing strategy to fit this new AI-powered landscape. If you’re not sure where to start or just want to talk it through with a friendly expert - we’d love to chat.
Call our Chichester digital marketing agency today on 01243 888555 or click here to book a chat in the diary.
