Last week, a client asked me, “Can we change what shows up in Google’s AI Overview?”
And I get it. When your business is mentioned (or not mentioned) in that prominent box at the top of search results, it feels like high-stakes digital real estate.
TL;DR ❌ You can’t directly control what Google’s AI Overview says.
✅ But you can influence whether your content appears in it.
Let’s break it down.
What Is an AI Overview?
Google’s AI Overviews are generated by its large language model, which scans and synthesizes information from a wide range of sources to quickly answer search queries. It’s like having a personal researcher that pulls together the most relevant facts and perspectives into a concise summary—right at the top of your screen.
These summaries aren’t manually written, and they’re not always linked to a single website. Instead, they’re built on a blend of data that Google’s AI deems trustworthy, helpful, and high-quality.
So if you’re wondering how to get your site mentioned there, the question becomes:
What Makes Content Worthy of the AI Overview?
The shift toward AI-powered search is happening faster than many realize. According to Gartner research, 50% of organic search volume is expected to disappear in the next two years as consumers increasingly rely on AI assistants for answers rather than clicking through traditional search results¹.
This fundamental change means that optimizing for AI visibility isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s becoming essential for digital marketing success.
Here’s what makes content AI-friendly:
➡️ Clear, structured content that AI can easily parse. Modern AI systems prioritize content with clear text hierarchies, non-interactive elements, and succinct claims². Use headings, bullet points, lists, and schema markup to help AI understand your content structure.
➡️ Problem-solution framing with explicit callouts. AI models favor content that directly addresses user queries with clear, specific answers. Write like you’re teaching—use “what is…” or “how to…” phrasing and provide definitive responses².
➡️ Technical accessibility for AI crawlers. Ensure your key content is visible without JavaScript and that you’re not blocking important AI crawlers like ChatGPT-User and PerplexityBot in your robots.txt file². AI needs to be able to access and understand your content quickly.
Actionable Steps to Boost Your AI Visibility
If you want to increase your chances of showing up in AI Overviews, here’s what to focus on:
➡️ Write content like you’re teaching a smart 5th grader Clear, helpful, specific answers win. Avoid being coy about your expertise—make your claims and value propositions explicit rather than relying on context clues².
➡️ Establish topical authority AI values voices it can trust. That means producing consistent, expert-level content across your niche—not just one blog post per topic. Focus on 1-2 key topics rather than spreading thin¹.
➡️ Optimize page metadata for AI context Since AI often encounters your content without broader site context, ensure your page titles and descriptions clearly summarize the page’s purpose and value in plain text².
➡️ Structure your site for crawling Fast-loading pages, schema markup, internal linking, and optimized metadata all help AI systems (and traditional SEO bots) find and favor your content.
The Bigger Picture: Preparing for an AI-First World
This isn’t just about Google’s AI Overviews. We’re entering an era where your new best customer might be an AI bot³. These AI assistants are doing research on behalf of human users across multiple platforms—ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and others.
The key insight? You’re no longer just optimizing for human readers or even Google’s algorithm. You’re optimizing for AI systems that will determine whether your brand gets mentioned when someone asks their AI assistant for recommendations in your industry.
Final Word: You’re Not Powerless
You can’t email Google and say, “Hey, I should be in the Overview.” But you can create the kind of content that AI wants to include—because it’s clear, helpful, and deeply trustworthy.
In this new world of AI-powered search, that’s the game worth playing. The businesses that adapt their content strategy now will have a significant advantage as this shift accelerates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to see results in AI Overviews after optimizing my content?
A: Unlike traditional SEO, AI systems can incorporate new content relatively quickly—sometimes within days or weeks. However, building the topical authority and trust signals that AI values most typically takes 2-3 months of consistent, high-quality content creation. The key is monitoring your AI visibility across multiple platforms, not just Google.
Q: Do AI Overviews hurt my website traffic since people get answers without clicking?
A: This is the reality of the shift happening right now. Gartner predicts 50% of organic search volume will disappear as consumers rely more on AI for answers. However, when you do appear in AI results, the traffic you receive is often higher-intent and further down the funnel. The goal is to be present when AI systems recommend solutions, not just provide information.
Q: Which AI platforms should I optimize for besides Google?
A: Focus on the major players: Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT (powered by Bing search), Perplexity, Claude, and emerging platforms. Each has slightly different content preferences, but the fundamentals remain the same: clear, structured, authoritative content that directly answers user questions.
Q: Can I get penalized for optimizing specifically for AI?
A: No. The best practices for AI optimization—clear structure, helpful content, fast loading, good metadata—are the same principles that benefit traditional SEO and user experience. You’re not gaming the system; you’re making your content more accessible and valuable.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake businesses make when trying to appear in AI results?
A: Being too subtle or “coy” about their expertise and value proposition. AI systems take content literally and don’t pick up on context clues the way humans do. If you’re the best solution for a problem, state it clearly and explicitly rather than hoping the AI will infer it.
Q: Should I still invest in traditional SEO if AI is taking over search?
A: Absolutely. AI systems still rely on web search to find current information—they’re not replacing search, they’re changing how search results are presented. Strong traditional SEO foundations (technical optimization, quality content, authority building) remain essential for AI visibility.
Sources:
- Gartner Research Report on AI Impact on Search Volume (as referenced in Scrunch AI industry analysis)
- “AI Best Practices | Scrunch AI” – Technical guidelines for AI optimization
- “Using Scrunch to Show Up in AI” – Strategic framework for AI visibility optimization
Want to see how your business currently appears across AI platforms? Consider conducting a comprehensive AI audit to understand your current visibility and optimization opportunities.
