Knowing how to rank in AI overviews has become a critical focus for marketers, brands, and agencies in 2025. With this new frontier, you can earn a spot in the top search results.
As Google rolls out more AI-generated answer boxes in search results, mastering how to rank in AI overviews is a key strategy to staying visible. These overviews now influence click-through rates and can significantly impact traffic.
That’s why we’ll discuss clear, actionable steps you can implement today to rank in AI overviews. You'll discover specific techniques to create content and learn which search queries tend to trigger AI overviews.
We’ll not only show you how to rank in AI overviews, but also the authority signals Google’s search prioritizes when generating these summaries. Let’s get started.
Before we discuss how to rank in AI overviews, let’s discuss what they are. AI Overviews are Google's AI-generated summaries that directly answer user queries at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs). They look like this:
Image via Google
Unlike traditional organic search results, these overviews compile information from multiple sources to provide comprehensive answers without requiring users to click.
AI overviews appear prominently above organic search results and even featured snippets, occupying prime SERP real estate.
According to a 2025 Botify study, AI overviews now appear for up to 47% of searches, significantly altering the search landscape.
Not only that. On mobile devices, Google’s AI overviews combined with featured snippets can consume up to 75.7% of the initial screen space, pushing traditional listings below the fold.
According to a Surfer research, they average five sources per search query, creating more comprehensive answers that satisfy the search intent immediately.
Image via Surfer SEO
The format also differs from traditional snippets. Featured snippets appear as simple paragraphs or lists with a single attribution. AI overviews, on the other hand, present information conversationally. They often include bullet points, short explanations, and step-by-step instructions when appropriate.
Each statement links to different sources through small citation indicators that users can click for origin information. Here’s an example of an AI overview with a detailed explanation:
Image via Google
Most importa AI overviews represent Google's shift from being a search engine to becoming an answer engine.
This prioritization of immediate information delivery over website referrals requires brands to rethink their SEO efforts.
If you want to stay visible in today’s search results, it’s no longer just about ranking on Google’s first page. It’s about learning how to rank in AI overviews since that’s where Google is now putting the spotlight.
Google’s AI Overviews use advanced generative AI to pull information from around the web and turn it into quick, helpful summaries.
When someone searches for something, Google looks at the intent behind the query and decides whether an AI Overview would be useful.
For queries deemed suitable for an overview, Google's search algorithm examines content from websites it considers authoritative and relevant.
According to the cited Surfer study, the average AI overview contains about 157 words (just under 1,000 characters). This makes them substantial enough to provide value but concise enough for quick consumption.
The AI doesn't simply copy text from websites. Instead, it processes information to create new summaries that address the query.
Interestingly, the aforementioned Surfer study also found that only 5.4% of AI overviews contain the exact keyword phrase. This shows that Google cares more about meaning and context than exact matches.
Still, if you're learning how to rank in AI overviews, optimizing for clarity, authority, and topical relevance is still important.
Surfer also found that 52% of sources featured in AI Overviews rank in the top 10 results, while the other 48% come from lower-ranking but highly relevant content or specialized information.
Google's AI overview selection process also involves:
AI Overviews have a significant impact on SEO, and brands that adjust their SEO strategies will be the ones that stay visible in search results. That’s why understanding how to rank in AI overviews has become essential.
According to a study by Gartner, traditional search engine volume is projected to drop 25% by 2026. This decline stems from users finding answers in AI-driven search results without clicking through to websites.
This shift significantly impacts search engine visibility. Already, the Authoritas study reveals that expanded AI overviews push organic search results down by about 220 pixels on desktop. This is equivalent to two organic listings.
On mobile devices, the impact is even more severe, with expanded overviews pushing all search results below the initial viewport.
Click patterns have changed too. With comprehensive answers available directly in search results, fewer users visit websites. That’s why understanding how to rank in AI overviews is becoming just as important as search engine optimization.
The traffic impact also depends on the query type. Problem-solving and specific questions trigger AI overviews 74% and 69% of the time, respectively, according to the aforementioned Authoritas study. Meanwhile, navigational queries rarely generate these features.
Here’s a breakdown of the query type and their AI overview percentage:
Image via Authoritas
While some informational traffic will decrease, knowing how to rank in AI overviews as a cited source can build credibility and drive more qualified traffic with higher engagement metrics.
Knowing how to rank in AI overviews requires a strategic approach across multiple fronts. Here, we’ll discuss seven steps to help you optimize your content specifically for these AI-generated results.
The first step in learning how to rank in AI overviews is targeting the right queries. AI overviews appear most frequently for informational searches that seek explanations or answers.
Focus primarily on “how,” “what,” “why,” and “best” queries. As we saw in the Authoritas data mentioned earlier, problem-solving and specific question queries have the highest likelihood of triggering AI overviews.
These question-based searches signal to Google that users need comprehensive answers, exactly what AI overviews aim to provide.
The following tools can help you identify AI overview queries for your niche:
When selecting target queries, prioritize those with informational search intent over transactional or navigational queries. For example, “How to fix a leaking faucet” is more likely to generate an AI overview than “Buy a faucet repair kit.”
Look for questions that require explanation rather than simple facts. Multi-step processes, comparisons, and “why” questions tend to perform particularly well. For instance, “Why does my website load slowly?” is better than “Website loading time.”
Finally, review competitor content that already appears in AI overviews for your target keywords. Note the question formats they're targeting and look for gaps you can fill with more comprehensive answers.
Remember that AI overviews rarely appear for branded queries unless they have informational intent.
The same Authoritas study found only 19.6% of brand terms trigger AI overviews, compared to 33.3% of non-brand keywords. However, informational brand queries (like “how to use Brand X software”) trigger overviews 69.8% of the time.
How you organize and format your content significantly impacts whether Google will select it for AI overviews.
Learning how to rank in AI overviews requires paying special attention to the content structure that makes it easier for search engines to understand, extract, and synthesize your information.
Google's search algorithm prefers well-structured, scannable content when generating these summaries. Avoid vague titles like “Getting Started” and opt for specific ones like “How to Start Content Optimization” or “Why Website Speed Affects Rankings” to clearly communicate the value of your content.
Also, break your content into logical sections with a clear hierarchy of H2s and H3s. Each section should cover a distinct aspect of the topic, with the most important information placed near the top of each section. For example:
H2: How to Improve Page Speed
H3: Optimize Image Size and Format
H3: Implement Browser Caching
H3: Reduce Server Response Time
If you’re considering how to rank in AI overviews, then format information in ways that are easy to scan and extract:
The Surfer study showed that AI overviews use unordered lists 61% of the time, compared to 21% for ordered lists. This suggests you should use bullet points liberally throughout your content when listing items, features, or examples.
Remember that Google doesn't just copy and paste your content. It extracts concepts and information to generate new summaries. Making your key points clear, structured, and easy to identify increases the chances your content will serve as a source for AI overviews.
Schema markup plays a crucial role when learning how to rank in AI overviews. This structured data helps search engines understand your content's purpose, organization, and relevance to specific queries.
Three schema types are particularly valuable for AI overview optimization:
Implementing schema markup may sound technical, but several tools make it a straightforward process. For instance:
After implementation, validate your markup using Google's Rich Results Test tool. This ensures your schema is correctly formatted and detectable by search engines.
Here’s an example of a page schema markup:
Image via Google
Schema markup not only helps your content appear in AI overviews but can also lead to rich results in traditional search. This creates additional visibility opportunities even when an AI overview isn't triggered.
For example, notice how the highest-ranked page on this SERP is the only one with a schema markup on the SERP:
Image via Google
However, the schema should accurately represent your actual content. Misalignment between your schema markup and page content can be considered manipulative and potentially harm your rankings.
If you’re considering how to rank in AI overviews, your content must demonstrate factual accuracy and trustworthiness.
Google's search algorithms prioritize credible sources when generating these summaries, making E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) more critical than ever.
Start by citing reliable sources for claims, statistics, and research. Link to original studies, government databases, and recognized industry authorities rather than secondary sources.
This signals to Google that your content is well-researched and anchored in factual information.
Also, include clear author credentials that establish relevant expertise. Author bios should highlight qualifications, experience, and industry recognition related to the topic. For example:
| About the Author Gaurav Sharma is the founder and CEO of Attrock, a results-driven digital marketing company. Grew an agency from 5-figure to 7-figure revenue in just two years | 10X leads | 2.8X conversions | 300K organic monthly traffic | 5K keywords on page 1. He also contributes to top publications like HuffPost, Adweek, Business2Community, TechCrunch, and more. |
Keep your content fresh with visible update timestamps. Google's AI overview system prioritizes recent information, particularly for topics that are frequently updated. Add “Last Updated” dates at the top of important pages and regularly refresh content.
Avoid promotional language and exaggerated claims when navigating how to rank in AI overviews. Phrases like “the best solution ever” or “revolutionary technology” can undermine your content's perceived trustworthiness. Instead, use neutral language that presents information objectively.
Structure fact-based arguments with:
When expressing opinions, clearly label them as such and distinguish them from factual statements. This transparency helps Google understand which portions of your content represent objective information versus subjective viewpoints.
Lastly, include a comprehensive “About Us” or “Our Story” page that establishes your brand's credentials and expertise. Google often evaluates site-wide signals of authority when determining whether to include your content in AI overviews.
Mobile optimization has become even more crucial for those studying how to rank in AI overviews.
With Google's mobile-first indexing fully established in 2025, how your site performs on mobile devices directly impacts its likelihood of appearing in these AI-generated summaries.
The Authoritas study revealed that AI overviews consume significant screen space on mobile devices, pushing organic results far below the fold.
This means users who see AI overviews on mobile are less likely to scroll down to traditional results, making inclusion in the overview itself vital for visibility.
Focus on these mobile optimization priorities:
Additionally, Google’s Core Web Vitals now play a crucial role in how AI selects and ranks content for overviews. So, to rank in AI overviews, improve your mobile experience and page speed.
These three interconnected metrics form a complete picture of your user experience:
Improving these metrics requires a systematic approach using several complementary tools, such as:
A fast, responsive experience that meets the needs of both users and Google’s algorithms often starts with the right SEO tools to guide your technical improvements.
The result is a site that's more likely to be featured in AI overviews while also performing better in traditional search rankings. This can create a virtuous cycle that drives sustained organic website traffic growth for your site.
While navigating how to rank in AI overviews, it's tempting to use AI tools to generate content quickly.
However, Google's systems are increasingly sophisticated at detecting fully AI-generated content, which typically lacks the depth and nuance that human expertise provides.
The better approach is to use AI as an assistant rather than a replacement. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Jasper can help accelerate your content creation process while maintaining a focus on human expertise and experience.
This balanced approach produces high-quality content that's efficient enough to earn a place in AI overviews. As you navigate how to rank in AI overviews, start by using AI for research and outlining.
These tools excel at gathering information and suggesting structure. For example, you might prompt an AI tool to: “Create an outline for an article about mobile optimization for ecommerce sites.”
Also, when drafting content sections, use AI to generate initial versions that you then substantially edit. Human editors should focus on adding:
Be sure to avoid common AI content pitfalls that can reduce your chances of ranking in AI overviews.
For instance, typical AI writing patterns can include overuse of transition phrases, unnaturally perfect paragraph structures, and generic examples. Human editing should break these patterns and introduce authentic variations in style and structure.
Google's search guidelines explicitly value content that demonstrates first-hand expertise. Content that feels like it could have been created by anyone (or any AI) without specific experience in the field is less likely to appear in AI overviews.
Creating a potent internal linking structure is important when learning how to rank in AI overviews. Internal links signal to Google which content pieces are related and which pages are most important for specific topics.
The Botify study highlighted that websites appearing in AI overviews typically have strong semantic similarity across their content. Google favors sources that demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about a topic rather than those covering it superficially.
Start by mapping your content into topic clusters with:
Use descriptive anchor text that includes relevant keywords naturally. Avoid generic phrases like “click here.” Instead, use specific phrases that provide context about the linked content, such as “learn more about schema markup.”
Consider prioritizing linking to your most valuable content. Pages that already rank well deserve more internal links, as this reinforces their importance to Google. Create deliberate pathways that connect established pages to fresh content.
Tools like Screaming Frog, Semrush's Site Audit, or Ahrefs can help visualize your current internal linking patterns and spot gaps or isolated content.
Internal linking also helps distribute page authority throughout your site. When high-authority pages link to newer content, they pass some of their established credibility, improving chances of appearing in AI overviews.
Building a robust backlink profile from relevant external sites further strengthens your domain authority. This increases the likelihood of your content being featured in AI search results.
Q1. What are AI Overviews in Google Search?
A. AI Overviews are Google's AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. They synthesize information from multiple sources to provide comprehensive answers to user queries.
Q2. How to rank in AI overviews?
A. To rank in AI overviews, focus on creating factual, well-structured content that answers informational queries. Use clear headings, implement schema markup, optimize for mobile, build topical authority through internal linking, and ensure your content demonstrates expertise.
Q3. Can you rank AI content?
A. AI-assisted content can rank in AI overviews if it's adequately edited by humans to add unique expertise and value. Fully automated AI content typically lacks the depth and authenticity that Google rewards. The best approach is to use AI tools to accelerate research and drafting while ensuring human experts enhance the content with original insights and experiences.
Q4. How to optimize for AI overview?
A. Optimize for AI overviews by:
Q5. How can I tell if my content appears in an AI Overview?
A. Check Google Search Console for the AI Overview filter in the Performance report. Several third-party tools now track AI Overview appearances, including Semrush's “AI Overview Monitoring” and SurferSEO's “AI Position Tracking.” You can also manually search your target keywords regularly to check if your content appears as a source.
Q6. What kinds of keywords are more likely to trigger AI Overviews?
A. Problem-solving queries and specific questions trigger AI Overviews most frequently — 74% and 69% of the time, respectively. Focus on “how,” “what,” “why,” and “best” queries with informational intent. Navigational queries and general topic research terms rarely generate AI Overviews.
Q7. Is ranking in AI Overviews better than featured snippets?
A. Both have value, but AI Overviews often appear above featured snippets and can include multiple sources rather than just one. This provides more opportunities for visibility. Additionally, AI Overviews tend to trigger a broader range of queries.
Learning how to rank in AI overviews is no longer optional for brands that value organic visibility. As we've seen throughout this guide, these AI-generated summaries now appear for nearly half of all searches, fundamentally changing how users interact with search results.
Start implementing the strategies we've outlined today, monitor your results carefully, and continue adjusting your approach as AI overviews evolve. To begin your journey on how to rank in AI overviews, start working on improving SEO
Meanwhile, if you find yourself stuck at any point in the SEO process, reach out to Attrock. We’re happy to help.
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