If you’re involved in SEO, content writing and planning, you might have noticed changes to search results over the last several months. AI Overviews (AIO) is the latest evolution in organic search, displaying generative summaries above certain search queries. While the AIO rollout has been limited so far, it’s being expanded to more search queries as time goes on.
How Do AI Overviews Work?
An AIO is a high-level summary of a topic featured at the top of the search results. The information offers a comprehensive overview (generated by Google’s AI models) that’s related to the searcher’s query. These models take information from various sources and link to the source within the summary.
A loss of search visibility is a concern for many business owners. With more space reserved at the top of the page for an AI overview, users need to scroll further to reach the organic search results. However, as we’ll discuss, for websites writing meaningful content and applying proven SEO techniques, this new trend can be a positive change.
Shown here is an example of a client that is showing up in AIO results from several pieces of content on their website. They actually show up in AIO results in three different spots.
How to Increase Visibility in Google’s AI Overviews
AIOs display sources for the content they generate. As a result, many searchers looking for more in-depth information are likely to click through to the original sources to delve deeper.
Traditional SEO Optimization Matters for AIO
To be included as a source, it’s essential that you follow SEO best practices. Studies from various sources have shown that the vast majority of sources are from the top 10 of Google’s organic search results. In fact, according to data from seoClarity, the top 10 web results were included in AIO sources 99.5% of the time. Therefore, good technical SEO, quality content, crawlable links (and avoiding keyword stuffing) are crucial components.
Create Many Types of Content
As with traditional SEO, Google’s EEAT metrics are an important factor in AIO search results. Consequently, you should be using high-quality SEO services to build citations about your business from different sources, generating trust, brand authority and author expertise. These citations will add to your credibility, thus increasing your prominence in AIO search results.
Publish Topically Relevant Informational Content
Making sure the content you are writing and publishing is quality content that answers questions or helps people with tasks is the priority right now. With this in mind, focus on creating valuable content such as detailed articles, FAQ pages, YouTube videos, business listings and social media posts.
Let’s examine some data—here’s a screenshot of search results for a client in Atlanta. This example demonstrates how many times a business can dominate not only AIO results, but organic search in general, when they hire an SEO company that specializes in writing SEO-focused content to promote a business’ best interests.
Notice that this allergy doctor has 6 places where they show up in search results. This occurs for multiple various queries and cities around Atlanta for this client, by the way.
You can absolutely increase a business’ visibility in search results, even in the AIO world. And in case you didn’t already know the full secret, EEAT is the key!
Now go forth and build authority, trust and improve the opportunity to get your business featured as a source in AIO search results, plus a featured snippet and much more.
Talk to Us About Our Top-Rated SEO and Content Marketing Services
At Rocks Digital, we help local businesses and brands enhance search visibility, drive targeted traffic and increase conversions. For expert SEO, content writing, listing management and other vital services, speak with our team today. Call (214) 989-7549 or request a website evaluation.
