How to Win with AI Overviews

Search is changing—fast. With the rise of generative AI, Google’s launch of AI Overviews (AIOs), and a shift in user behavior toward conversational, long-tail queries, businesses need to evolve their digital strategies. AI Overviews are no longer experimental; they’re shaping the future of search. And brands that understand how to work with them—not against them—will win.

This guide explores what AI Overviews are, how they’re changing search behavior, and what you can do to earn visibility in this new search paradigm.

What Are AI Overviews?

AI Overviews are Google’s AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results in response to informational queries. Typically ~170 words long and supported by 5–12 citations, they give users fast, direct answers—often without requiring a click. Think of them as an AI-powered Featured Snippet, but smarter and more expansive.

These Overviews prioritize:

• Concise, structured content
• Authoritative sources
• Step-by-step or how-to formats
• Long-tail, semantically rich keywords

They often appear alongside Featured Snippets and are especially common in health, wellness, tech, and B2B content categories.

The New Search Behavior

AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude are widely used for informational searches. But Google still dominates when it comes to commercial and transactional queries—about 8x more so than ChatGPT.

This matters because:

• Zero-click searches are increasing due to AI Overviews. (source)
• But overall Google usage is rising, meaning brands still have visibility opportunities.
• AI Overviews are mostly triggered by top-of-funnel, informational queries, great for branding and trust-building.

And with Google’s new AI Mode—launched in March 2025—users can now carry on multi-turn conversations in search, refining and expanding their queries in context, much like they would with ChatGPT.

Why AI Overviews Matter for Brands

Even without a click, being cited in AI Overviews can dramatically boost brand exposure. Users need to see a brand 7+ times before converting—what’s known as the “Rule of 7.” Repeated mentions in AI summaries build that awareness, trust, and authority.

In fact:

• Queries without AI Overviews are seeing higher click rates, according to Sierra Interactive.
• Branded search visibility is a rising KPI, as mentions in AIOs often lead to search lift.
• AI Overviews favor quality and clarity, not just keyword density.

What Type of Content Ranks in AIOs?

Google’s AI prefers:

• Step-by-step guides
• “How to” articles
• Clearly formatted answers
• Short paragraphs, bullet points, and semantic structure
• Fresh content updated regularly

Videos—especially from YouTube—are also increasingly cited in AIOs, particularly for visual or instructional topics like health, ecommerce, and home improvement. In fact, YouTube citations in AI Overviews are increasing dramatically month over month.

Real-World Wins: Simplicity Delivers Speed

In one example, a large medical cosmetic clinic added a structured 3-bullet summary at the top of every blog post. The goal was to:

• Improve readability
• Increase chances of citation
• Align content with Google’s AI formatting preferences

The result? They landed a spot in AI Overviews within 24 hours.

This shows that simple formatting—not complex SEO gimmicks—can drive fast wins when aligned with AI expectations. Backlinko’s formatting guide also confirms that bullet points and summary lists are key to being pulled into Featured Snippets—and now AIOs.

How to Optimize for AI Overviews

1. Create Clear, Skimmable Content

Use short sentences, headings, and bullet points. Tools like Hemingway can help simplify content. Begin articles with a concise summary or key takeaways.

2. Leverage Structured Data

FAQ, HowTo, Article, and Video schema help AI understand your content. While not a direct ranking factor, schema enhances discoverability and relevance in AI-powered search.

3. Invest in YouTube and Visual Content

As AI continues to prioritize visual understanding, embedding videos into content—especially on high-intent queries—can dramatically increase the chances of citation in AIOs.

4. Build Brand Authority

Brand authority isn’t officially listed as a ranking factor in AIOs (yet), but it’s central to traditional search and is likely to gain importance in AI results. Google’s core update guidance emphasizes E-E-A-T—experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness—as critical ranking elements.

5. Optimize for Local Search

Google has reintroduced local results into AI Overviews after briefly removing them. Businesses should ensure NAP consistency, local schema, and content that addresses location-specific queries.

6. Target Long-Tail Queries

Use tools like AnswerThePublic to uncover high-intent, low-competition questions. These long-tail queries are most likely to trigger AI Overviews and are less competitive.

7. Track AIO Visibility

Tools like Advanced Web Ranking, ZipTie, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can help monitor AIO mentions. Use Google Trends to track branded search volume over time.

8. Use Cosine Similarity Analysis

Compare your best-ranking page content to the text in AIOs. Adjust structure, clarity, and coverage to better match AI’s preferred response style.

Rethinking SEO Metrics

In the world of AI Overviews, traditional SEO KPIs like rankings and backlinks aren’t enough. Start tracking:

• Citation frequency in AIOs
• Branded search visibility
• Mentions across trusted platforms
• Engagement with multimedia assets (video, infographics)

It’s time to think beyond clicks and focus on influence.

Integration Across Teams

AI Overview strategy isn’t just an SEO concern. It’s time to break down the silos:

• SEO and Paid Search: Share insight into queries that trigger AIOs and ads.
• PR: Help earn links and media mentions to boost authority and brand recognition.
• Content Marketing: Create helpful, skimmable, evergreen content with proprietary insights.
• Video Teams: Prioritize YouTube how-tos and demo content for citation wins.

Cross-functional collaboration helps you win faster and more sustainably in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Final Thoughts: The Path Forward

AI Overviews are here to stay—and they’re reshaping what it means to “rank” in search. But for those who move fast, focus on clarity, and build trust across channels, there’s a powerful opportunity to build brand visibility, drive influence, and stay ahead of the competition.

Remember:

• Clarity wins
• Authority matters
• Content must serve both AI and humans

By combining strong fundamentals with emerging strategies tailored for AI search, your brand can rise to the top—click or no click.