What are AI Overviews?
Definition
AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that Google Search shows at the top of some results, with links to the web pages that support the answer.
Why it matters
AI Overviews change where clicks go. Being one of the linked sources can bring visibility even when your page isn't the top blue link.
How to do it
- Google shows them only when it judges they add value beyond classic results.
- To be a supporting link, a page must be indexed and eligible to show with a snippet.
- Google says no special optimization or markup is required beyond normal SEO best practices.
Example
A search for “what is a content brief” shows an AI Overview with three linked sources. A clear, well-structured glossary page can be one of them.
AI Overviews vs. AI Mode
AI Overviews summarize a topic within normal results. AI Mode is a separate, conversational search experience for deeper questions.
FAQ
Can I track AI Overviews traffic?
Google includes traffic from its AI features in the Search Console Performance report, under the Web search type.