16/12/24

How to Feature in an AI Overview: SEO Hacks

Written by Caitlin Faulks

The introduction of AI Overviews in search results is reshaping how users find and interact with information online.

Introduced in May 2024, Google rolled out AI Overviews as part of its generative AI initiatives powered by the Gemini model. Its goal? To make the user search experience quicker and more intuitive.

As businesses and marketers began to navigate this shift, it was essential for them to adapt their SEO strategies to stay visible and relevant. With people scrolling less, getting that top position was increasingly important.

Why?

With a top, instant experience – the SERP becomes a place where people don’t need to scroll as hard to find what they are looking for.

Why is SEO and ranking still important regardless of this?

According to Search Engine Land – 84.72% of AI Overviews link to at least one domain that also appears in Google’s top 10 organic search results, similarly – featured snippets and AI Overviews appear together 45.37% of the time – and when this happens – the citations usually match. Hence, getting onto that first page of results increases the likelihood of being featured.

Bottom line – AI Overviews matter and for top SEO success, they are a feature you simply can’t ignore.

However, there are more tips and tricks beyond simply getting onto the first page of results that SEO marketers can use to increase their chances of being featured in an AI Overview.

How can we gain that valuable real estate at the top of the SERP – in a world where people want information quicker and easier?

Leveraging tools like ChatGPT for SEO, AI-driven SEO platforms and other AI SEO tools can help you secure a spot in one of these prominent AI-generated responses that far surpass the SERP and get you that valuable position 0!

Here are some actionable strategies to help you feature in an AI overview:

Understanding AI Overviews – What sets them apart?

AI Overviews, powered by Google’s Gemini model, provide concise answers to complex user queries. They consolidate information from multiple sources into a single response, presenting users with the most relevant data in seconds.

Gone are the days when users need to trawl through site after site for the information to the precise query they are looking for…

As with most AI use – it’s designed to make our lives easier!

Unlike traditional search results, AI Overviews prioritise:

Comprehensive and well-structured content.
Contextual relevance over simple keyword density.
High-quality sources with expertise in their fields.

Read here for official guidelines on AI Overviews, from Google.

For example, a search query like “best AI SEO tools for content optimisation” may return an overview with information about popular platforms, their features and user benefits – this is all without requiring users to click through multiple links!

To feature in an AI Overview, your content needs to be informative AND “AI-friendly.”

SEO Hacks to Secure a Spot in AI Overviews

1. Write Content with AI Intent in Mind

Search engines now prioritise content that directly addresses user intent.

Using SEO writing tools like ChatGPT can help you gain inspiration for potential FAQs, user queries and guides tailored to the nuanced questions that users are asking.

For example, if you’re targeting the term ‘AI-driven SEO optimisation’ focus on creating in-depth, detailed and actionable responses to the queries users will be asking about that topic. Throw in as much user value as possible – case studies, examples, clear answers.

AI Overviews often pull from sections that explicitly address user needs – so structure your content for quick consumption!

2. Leverage Long-Tail Keywords

AI-generated summaries thrive on niche, detailed queries. To try and gain that featured snippet, incorporate long-tail keywords that reflect specific user needs, such as:

“How to optimise SEO with ChatGPT”

“AI SEO tools for small business growth”

“Top OpenAI tools for SEO writing”

These targeted phrases can position your content as a quick go-to resource for AI systems, improving your chances of being featured.

To find some long-tail keywords that best represent your niche, you can conduct some strategic research using these SEO tools. Start by focusing on your audiences’ intent – what problems are they trying to solve? What questions are they asking and what language are they using? Tools like Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic and SEMrush can help uncover niche specific terms – while competitor analysis with tools like Ahrefs can reveal the keywords driving their traffic.

You could even also explore forums like Reddit and Quora, as well as social media platforms – to identify repeated questions or topics.

Quick tip: Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ section gives some valuable insight into current user questions – and can give you some popular terminology for your topic.

3. Optimise for Structured Data

A more underrated feature of your SEO success – is your schema markup. We’re talking about page architecture.

A Schema Markup is structured data that helps search engines interpret your content, enhancing search visibility, traffic and brand recognition.

Schema markup is crucial for AI-driven SEO success. It helps search engines understand your content’s context, making it easier for AI systems to include your site in overviews.

For example, add structured data for FAQs, step-by-step guides, and product comparisons. If your content is about “SEO writing AI tools,” a well-structured FAQ section can make it more appealing to AI algorithms seeking clear, authoritative answers.

New to codes and schema markups? Here are some useful guides for beginners:

4. Embrace AI-Powered Content Creation

Contrary to popular belief, AI can be a blessing and a curse. When overused, it can kill the human part of your content – hindering your relatability to your users and can be detrimental to truly connecting with your audience.

However, that’s not to say it doesn’t have its uses.

Platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI SEO tools can transform your content strategy and may hit some blind spots that you’re not quite getting.

The tools, when used effectively and in moderation can:

Generate optimised content faster.
Research and identify high-impact keywords.
Write compelling meta descriptions and headers based on very specific prompts.

Prompts are a key part of this – the more curated, specific and niche your prompt – the more likely you’ll develop a hybrid between hitting the systematic top keyword phrases you need to include in your content, while maintaining a unique tone of voice special to your brand.

By automating these tasks through AI, you can save time and ensure your content aligns with the preferences of AI overviews.

5. Prioritise E-E-A-T Principles

Even if you’re an SEO beginner, you’ve likely heard of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness otherwise known as the ‘E-E-A-T principle’. Although Google doesn’t explicitly state this as a ranking factor, it is well known as Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines (SQEG). AI systems value credible sources, so invest in content that highlights your expertise. If you’re an author and you have credentials – use them! If your site is an expert on a specific topic, utilise that industry knowledge and show people you’re a verified and trusted source to be giving out accurate advice.

For instance, if you’re targeting the keyword “how to SEO optimise with AI”, include authoritative links from established sites, cite credible sources, and demonstrate your expertise through detailed insights and actionable strategies.

How AI Overviews Impact SEO

AI Overviews are both an opportunity and a challenge for businesses. While they offer businesses the chance to reach that valuable #1 spot gaining access to a broader audience, they also had to lead more zero-click searches – where users get their answers directly from the search page without visiting a website at all.

To make the most of this shift, focus on creating content that:

Answers specific queries in detail.
Offers unique insights that stand out.
Encourages further exploration with engaging CTAs (call-to-actions).

The emergence of AI Overviews marks a transformative shift in how search engines present information and how users interact with it.

This evolution offers both opportunities and fresh challenges. Securing a position in these AI-generated summaries requires a strategic approach that blends technical optimisation, content quality, and an understanding of user intent.

To summarise, try these steps to best optimise your content for an AI Overview:

Create AI-optimised content that directly addresses user queries with depth and clarity
Use long-tailed keywords to target niche searches
Implement structured data to improve your site’s readability for AI algorithms, increasing visibility
Leverage AI-powered tools thoughtfully to enhance content creation
Prioritise credibility through E-E-A-T principles

And remember, the ultimate goal is to align with both user expectations and AI algorithms. By staying proactive and informed, you can secure your spot in the AI-driven search future and ensure your content remains visible, valuable and impactful.

Interested in how we run SEO at Talking Stick Digital? Contact our team of organic search experts to find out about the transformative services we provide to our clients.