What Are Google AI Overviews?
Google AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience) are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of certain search results. Instead of just showing a list of links, Google synthesizes information from multiple sources into a direct answer.
For local businesses, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that some users get their answer without clicking through to your website. The opportunity is that being cited as a source in an AI Overview positions your business as the authority on that topic.
AI Overviews typically appear for informational and how-to queries. "How much does a roof replacement cost?" or "What is the best time to plant a lawn?" are the types of queries that trigger AI Overviews. Transactional queries like "roofer near me" still primarily show traditional local results.
How Google Selects Sources for AI Overviews
Google pulls information from pages that already rank well organically. If your content is not on page one, it is unlikely to be cited in an AI Overview. The first step is solid, traditional SEO.
Beyond ranking, Google favors content that is structured clearly, provides specific and factual information, includes data and citations, and comes from authoritative sources. Content with named authors, proper credentials, and demonstrated expertise is more likely to be selected.
The format of your content matters significantly. AI Overviews disproportionately cite content with numbered lists, definition-style paragraphs, and direct question-answer formats. If your content buries the answer in the fifth paragraph of a long section, AI is less likely to extract it.
Structuring Content for AI Extraction
The most important optimization for AI Overviews is placing a clear, self-contained answer within the first 200 words of your content. This "quick answer" should directly address the primary question the page targets.
For example, if your page targets "how much does SEO cost," the first paragraph should say something like: "SEO services for local businesses typically cost $1,000-$3,000 per month. Pricing depends on your market competition, current rankings, and goals. Most agencies offer month-to-month or 3-6 month agreements."
That paragraph is specific, factual, self-contained, and directly answers the question. It gives AI exactly what it needs to cite your content. The rest of the page then expands on the topic with additional detail, examples, and expertise.
Use H2 headings that match common search queries. "How long does SEO take?" as an H2 followed by a direct answer is exactly the format AI Overviews prefer.
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Get a Free ConsultationFAQ Markup and Schema for AI Visibility
FAQPage schema markup is one of the strongest signals for AI Overview inclusion. When you mark up questions and answers with structured data, you are explicitly telling Google "here is a question and here is the definitive answer."
Each FAQ answer should be 2-5 sentences, factual, and self-contained. Avoid answers that say "it depends" without providing specifics. AI needs concrete information to cite.
Include FAQ sections on every important page of your website: service pages, industry pages, location pages, and blog posts. Each page should have a unique set of 3-8 questions that do not overlap with FAQ sets on other pages. This gives you maximum coverage across different queries.
E-E-A-T Signals That Matter for AI
Google AI Overviews heavily weight E-E-A-T signals when selecting sources. Experience means showing first-hand knowledge through case studies, specific client results, and details that only someone who has actually done the work would know.
Expertise means having credentialed authors. Every piece of content should be attributed to a named person with a bio page that demonstrates their qualifications. "Written by Dylan Axelson, Director of Operations" with a link to a detailed bio page carries more weight than anonymous content.
Authoritativeness comes from being cited by others, having reviews, and being recognized in your industry. Trustworthiness comes from transparency, accurate information, and consistent NAP across the web.
The practical takeaway: invest in author bio pages, cite external sources, include specific data from your own experience, and maintain accurate business information everywhere.
Tracking Your AI Overview Performance
Monitoring whether your content appears in AI Overviews is still challenging. Google Search Console does not currently provide specific AI Overview reporting. The best approach is to regularly search your target queries in an incognito browser and check whether your site is cited.
Focus on tracking the queries that matter most to your business. For a roofing company, monitor queries like "how much does roof replacement cost in [city]" and "signs you need a new roof." For a dentist, track "how much do dental implants cost" and "what to expect at a dental cleaning."
The pages that perform best in AI Overviews are the same pages that perform best in traditional search. Investing in comprehensive, authoritative content with proper structure and schema markup is the best strategy regardless of how search evolves.