Google AI Overviews: How to Optimise for the New AI-Powered Search Experience

Content That Gets Cited: What the AI Actually Picks

So, what kind of content actually shows up in Google’s AI Overviews?

Thanks to early tracking tools like ZipTie, BrightEdge, and hands-on testing by SEOs, we’re starting to see clear patterns. It’s not a mystery — it’s a formula.

And that formula rewards clarity, structure, and specificity. 

AI Overviews tend to cite pages that:

• Open with a concise summary: Ideally within the first paragraph. Bonus points if it directly answers the query.
• Use short, direct sentences: The AI needs to understand it — so keep it clean, not clever.
• Include bulleted or numbered lists: These are regularly extracted and shown as-is in the Overview.
• Use custom visuals: Unique diagrams, infographics, or screenshots work better than stock photos.
• Feature embedded media: Especially YouTube videos with clear, descriptive titles and timestamps.

Formats most likely to get cited in AI Overviews: 

• Concise definitions (for “what is” queries)
• Bulleted or numbered lists (for “top 5,” “how to,” etc.)
• Custom images (not generic stock)
• YouTube videos (optimised title, description, and engagement)

If your page includes more than one of the formats above — and it's backed by real expertise — you’ve dramatically improved your chances of being cited.

The takeaway? Think less like a novelist, and more like a solid teacher: short, structured, and full of useful signals.

Optimise for the SERP of the Future (Without Losing the Plot)

AI Overviews aren’t the only thing changing — the whole Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is evolving. And the rules of visibility are tightening.

But that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your soul for structure.

It just means being clearer, quicker, and better aligned.

Quick Wins That Still Work (and Now Matter More)

• Match your H1, title tag, and URL slug.
  If your post is about “best campervan spots in Donegal,” don’t bury that behind a poetic H1 about “Wanderlust on the Irish Edge.”
• Use Q&A formatting.
  Especially for content targeting featured snippets or “People Also Ask.” A question, followed by a crisp answer, is now your best friend.
• Front-load your content.
  Put the most helpful insight in the first paragraph. Don’t bury your lead under three paragraphs of brand soul-searching.
• Use headings that actually say something.
  H2s like “Our Process” are a missed opportunity. Try “How We Help Tourism Brands Show Up in Google AI Overviews” instead.

And remember: AI might surface you. But people still have to read you. And they won’t scroll if your content looks like a 2012 terms and conditions page.

Real-World Adjustments That Make a Difference 

The GEO Tune-Up Checklist

You don’t need to tear down your site and start from scratch. Small changes can lead to big wins — in some cases, AI Overview citations within days.

Here’s what the data (and real-life SEO case studies) are showing works:

GEO Tune-Up Checklist 

• Add a Clear Summary at the Top
  Open your content with a 2–3 sentence answer to the user’s query. Think “what is X” or “how to do Y” — not a slow build-up.
• Refresh and Reformat Existing Pages
  Aleyda Solis suggests identifying which pages lost traffic post-Overview rollout and reworking those first. Clean up the structure, tighten intros, and update your visuals.
• Reorganise for User Intent
  If your audience wants a “how-to,” don’t lead with brand history. Shift key answers or product comparisons to the top.
• Prune the Fluff
  Remove filler paragraphs and long-winded intros. AI and humans alike scan fast — your key points should be obvious at a glance.
• Add Lists, Tables, and Custom Media
  Pages cited in Overviews often include skimmable formats and unique visuals. Consider adding embedded YouTube videos or infographics.

With just a few targeted tweaks, your content can go from overlooked to over-performing.

Mythbusting: Google AI Overviews Edition 

“Google doesn’t want AI content.”
→ Wrong. Google doesn’t care how it’s written — it cares how helpful it is. AI-assisted content can rank if it’s accurate, specific, and reviewed by humans.

“Only big sites get cited.”
→ Not always. Authority helps, but small, focused pages with clear answers and good structure often get featured.

“My blog is too niche.”
→ That’s the point. Niche queries are where Overviews need trustworthy sources — if you’re the expert, you’re eligible. This proved especially helpful for small businesses with cutting-edge content.

“I need to rewrite everything from scratch.”
→ Nope. Updating intros, adding summaries, and improving formatting can make a big difference — fast.