Google AI Overviews: What Marketers Need to Know

Google AI Overviews (formerly SGE) now appear in 70-80% of informational search queries. They pull content directly from Google's existing search index and synthesize it with an LLM. This means traditional SEO and GEO are deeply connected for Google's AI features.

How AI Overviews Differ from Other AI Platforms

Feature	Google AI Overviews	ChatGPT	Perplexity
Data source	Google Search index + LLM	Training data (+ Bing browsing)	Own web index (real-time)
Citations	Source cards with favicons	Rarely inline	Numbered references
Freshness	Near real-time (follows indexing)	Training cutoff	Real-time
SEO impact	Directly tied to rankings	Indirect	Indirect

What Content Gets Pulled Into AI Overviews

Google AI Overviews strongly favor content that already ranks in the top 10 organic results. Research shows that 99% of sources cited in AI Overviews also appear on page 1 of traditional results.

Content Formats That Perform Best

• Lists and numbered steps — AI Overviews frequently restructure content into step-by-step formats.
• Tables with comparative data — Pricing comparisons, feature matrices, and spec tables get extracted directly.
• Concise definitions — Clear, one-sentence definitions of concepts get quoted verbatim.
• FAQ sections with schema — FAQPage schema helps Google match questions to your answers.

5 Optimization Strategies for AI Overviews

1. Win Traditional SEO First

If you are not on page 1 for a query, you are unlikely to appear in AI Overviews for that query. GEO for Google starts with SEO.

2. Structure Content for Extraction

Use clear H2/H3 headings, bullet points, and tables. Google's AI extracts structured content and reassembles it in the overview.

3. Add Schema Markup

FAQPage, HowTo, and Product schema help Google understand the structure of your content and match it to query types.

4. Include a Concise Answer at the Top

Start every article with a 2-3 sentence summary that directly answers the target query. This is what AI Overviews quote.

5. Optimize for "People Also Ask"

AI Overviews frequently pull from the same content pool as "People Also Ask" boxes. Answer related questions in your content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AI Overviews reduce organic clicks?

Early data shows mixed results. Some queries see reduced clicks to organic results, but being cited in AI Overviews provides brand visibility that offsets click loss.

Can I opt out of AI Overviews?

Google does not currently offer a way to opt out of AI Overviews. The best strategy is to ensure your content is accurately represented.

Check Your AI Overview Presence

For platform-specific strategies, see how Perplexity cites sources and how ChatGPT recommends brands. Compare all GEO tools at our tool comparison.

Run a free 99Visibility audit to see how your brand appears across Google AI, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude.