AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear above organic search results in Google.AI Overviews aggregate information from various sources, including Knowledge Graph, structured databases like Data Commons, reputable websites, and real-time data from news outlets and other trusted platforms. While this can be a time-saver for users, businesses might worry about fewer people visiting their websites.
Here is what Google officially says about AI Overviews:
- AI Overviews (AIO) provide an AI-generated snapshot with relevant links for deeper exploration. AOI are being gradually introduced in more countries, languages, and regions over time.
- AOI pull information from a range of sources, including web content and Google's Knowledge Graph.
- Google's AI automatically selects which links to feature, no special action is needed from content creators.
- AIO count towards impressions and clicks in Google Search Console’s Performance report.
- Publishers cannot directly influence whether their content appears in AI Overviews, aside from following Google Search Essentials.
- AIO are experimental and may contain inaccuracies.
Now that we’ve covered Google’s overview, let’s check real examples
My Observations on AI Overviews
AIO comes in different formats, appearing as mini-articles, tables, or lists depending on the query.
For instance, searching “what is life” generates a concise AI-generated summary.
This summary includes clickable links to websites that contributed to the overview or offer additional insights on related topics and queries.
Multi-Layered Responses
AI Overviews go beyond simple queries, they can provide complex, multi-layered responses. For example, in a search for "what is the best way to lose weight", the AI generates a detailed, structured response, covering key points such as diet, exercise, and portion control.
This AI-generated result includes:
- A direct answer summarizing the most effective weight loss strategies.
- A detailed breakdown with bullet points covering nutrition, hydration, and physical activity.
- Link cards directing users to authoritative sources like Mayo Clinic, NHS, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Another example: “2-day trip in California” This AI Overview offers a structured, day-by-day travel plan, covering top and even interactive features, allowing users to explore destinations, view images, and get recommendations — all without leaving SERP
Users can:
- Modify their itinerary by adjusting suggested activities.
- View maps and locations of attractions.
- Check ratings and reviews for recommended places.
- This level of convenience is a major time-saver for travelers, consolidating everything in one place.
However, for businesses that depend on organic search traffic, this raises concerns. If Google provides complete travel guides upfront, users may never click through to travel blogs, hotel booking sites, or local tourism businesses, leading to a decline in website visits and potential revenue.
So, from what I’ve observed, AIO doesn't just summarize search results, they reshape user behavior entirely. Some websites may gain traffic if they are repeatedly cited, while others may lose visibility altogether. Without clear tracking, measuring the real impact of AI Overviews remains a challenge.
Monitoring AI Results
There are tools like Seranking, Semrush, Ahrefs and more that provide insights into how AI Overviews cite sources.
For instance, AI Results Tracker in SERanking treats an AI Overview with all its links as a separate SERP and tracks the ranking positions for your keywords within it. It allows you to view the content of AI overviews for specific dates, track organic-AI overlap, and analyze SEO metrics for the keywords you've selected.
Semrush tracks AI Overviews using tools like Position Tracking, Organic Research, Domain Overview, and Keyword Overview. These tools help monitor visibility, track keywords, and analyze performance over time. Semrush Sensor also tracks AI Overview occurrences across industries
In Ahrefs, if you enter your website into Site Explorer and go to the Organic keywords report, you’ll see if you’re ranking for any AI Overviews. Likewise if you’re tracking keywords in Rank Tracker, it shows if an AI Overview is present for that keyword and whether you’re ranking for it.
In the Site and Keyword Analysis reports in Serpstat , a robot icon signals that the tool detected a AI generated answer for the corresponding keyword. You can filter keywords based on the presence of this element.
When choosing an AI tool for SEO, consider your specific needs and goals.
E-E-A-T in the Age of AI Search
Google has emphasized E-E-A-T for years as a way to surface authoritative content. However, AI Overviews don’t always align with this approach. I’ve seen instances where low-authority, unknown websites appear in AI-generated answers — sometimes even forum posts get cited for sensitive topics.
This raises concerns:
- Is Google undermining its own E-E-A-T principles?
- If AI Overviews surface unreliable sources, how will trust be maintained?
For businesses, real expertise matters more than ever. Simply following SEO checklists for E-E-A-T isn’t enough anymore.
Instead, experts need to actively build their online presence, not just through blog posts, but by speaking at conferences, appearing on podcasts, getting interviewed by reputable sites, and publishing in industry journals.
E-E-A-T is no longer just about on-page SEO elements, it’s about real-world authority and visibility.
In my opinion, AI content isn’t inherently bad, but most of it is mediocre, simply rewording existing knowledge rather than creating anything new. Large-scale AI content farms won’t succeed long-term, as Google continues to refine its quality detection.
However, AI-assisted content creation is a different story. If AI is used to:
- Enhance expert-written content,
- Refine structure and readability,
- Summarize original research or interviews,
…then it’s a powerful tool rather than a ranking risk.
The problem comes when AI content is mass-produced without originality. Google’s stance has been clear: AI-generated content must provide real value, not just exist for the sake of SEO.
What Comes Next?
Google’s move toward AI-first search means that traditional SEO is transforming into something new.
As I interpret the current state of AIO, for businesses and SEOs, this means:
- Focusing on real-world authority, not just rankings.
- Understanding AI-driven search tracking, beyond traditional SEO metrics.
- Creating content that AIO will reference, not just summarize.
SEO is no longer just about optimizing for search engines, it’s about optimizing for AI-driven visibility.
