AI is taking over. But not in the scary, robots-are-destroying-our-cities kind of way. AI is making search results more streamlined. Users used to read one of the first five results to get their answers to questions. That meant getting in the Google Answer Box used to be your ticket to expanding your reach (or top 3 of the map pack for local businesses).
However, with the new and here-to-stay Google AI Overview, users are finding answers directly at their fingertips, without needing to scroll and click to anyone’s website.
So, what does this mean for your company? Is this hurting your organic reach? And why should you care about being in the AI Overview anyway? Let’s break it down.
First Off: What is the Google AI Overview
If you’ve searched for anything lately, you may have noticed this, the Google AI Overview.
It appears above all other search results and gives you a summary of the answer to your query. From here, you can view more of the Google AI Overview, or you can scroll down to more traditional answers, including news articles, forum posts, answer boxes under “People Also Ask” and traditional website links.
The Google AI Overview is a summary of information it has deemed succinctly and thoroughly answers your question. It pulls from authoritative sites with similar phrasing and content to give you a fast answer.
Is Google AI Overview Hurting My SEO?
Your digital marketing company can give you a personalized overview of how your SEO is performing since Google AI Overview has been implemented. However, if you manage SEO in-house, or are a one-man team of manager, owner, and SEO strategist, you might want to know how this is impacting you without combing through all the data.
In short: Yes and No
You’re likely seeing a decline in click-through rate (CTR) since Google AI Overview has been implemented. This will show as a decrease in traffic to your website. But, there are likely other ways your SEO may be thriving. See how below.
Google AI Overview and SEO: What To Do
Google AI Overview is changing how we define success in the SEO market.
Your CTR is still an important metric, as is your organic search ranking. But, there are other considerations to measure to see how successful your marketing efforts are in SEO vs AI.
AI in Google will change some of your SEO goal posts, but with the right approach and strategy, you’ll see successful metrics.
1. Aim for the Google AI Overview
The Google AI Overview is made up of content from users like you – this can now be considered your “top ranking”.
Businesses that have content included in the Google AI Overview are displayed prominently to the right of that AI content. Users looking for the source, more information, or a business to help them vs a generic AI response, can consult these links and land on your website.
2. Don’t Stop SEO
First and foremost, do NOT stop your SEO marketing. The worst thing you can do is assume your website won’t get any visibility, therefore removing it yourself. SEO is still critical for all businesses and business types, especially small businesses using local SEO in Baltimore.
If you do SEO yourself or in-house, don’t cut funding to your team or pivot away from those marketing efforts. They still matter, and we’ll dive into how and why.
And if you contract out to a digital marketing company, discuss with them your current strategy and standings – you might be surprised how they’ve already pivoted and are protecting your revenue.
3. Remember E-E-A-T
Experience. Expertise. Authoritativeness. Trustworthiness.
Did you know you can still rank, and be included in, the AI overview? Yes! This is critical – it shows your website at the top of results, next to the AI summary, and is considered a highly authoritative and helpful link.
So, don’t stop, and prioritize your EEAT. For all content you create, pull on your personal experience vs facts and figures that anyone (or any AI) could generate. From that experience, showcase your expertise and how this sets you apart.
Those building blocks make you an authority in the field and will give you more backlinks, a smaller bounce rate, and a longer time on the page.
With so many positive marks, you become a trusted site that Google includes in the AI Overview AND boosts to the top of those organic search results.
4. Lean Into Branding
As SEO as we know it changes and shifts, branding will always be a pillar your business can rely on.
Branded colors, logos, mottos, and a name that keeps appearing will stick with people. As you pivot your SEO strategy vs AI, you want to focus on the human aspects you can provide that no else can, and that’s your branding.
Define your tone, voice, and content theme. Stick with this as you post on social media, make blog posts, send out newsletters, and more. Even if no one is clicking through to a website, they’ll notice if search results constantly say your name and slogan.
A visual, consistent branded marketing effort is timeless. Continue to define your brand and business persona and make that a cornerstone of your advertising to continue to connect personally with users and customers.
5. Long-Tail Keywords and Niche Content
Content is King, and always will be. SEO vs AI is still finding that long-tail keywords and niche topics are generating organic search results and traffic vs AI summaries and overviews.
As you create a content marketing plan for your website, lean into niche topics that only you can answer. Step away from generic, medium phrases like “how to fix a tire” and instead lean into longer, more specific topics. “4WD Tire Replacement in Baltimore” is going to grab local traffic and have a smaller pool to pull from.
If you’re stuck on expanding your content from standard keywords to longer phrases, a content marketing team can help. Your content should complement your work, not steal phrases from it. Ask us for a consult and we can show you how we’d approach your content strategy vs AI.
6. Monitor and Pivot
SEO has always been changing and will always evolve. We saw customers through the introduction of the answer boxes, we learned when the map pack became the top goal for local businesses, and we’ll evolve through AI content as well.
The important thing is to monitor your efforts. Change and pivot through SEO, PPC, content, social media, and more to find where your traffic is coming from. When one area starts to dip, look at what is driving traffic elsewhere and how you can improve your efforts.
SEO is not a “set it and forget it” type of approach. You will always be checking the data, consulting with Google, and making efforts to improve.
Digital Marketers To Boost Your SEO
Step away from using AI and create human-written content and a successful SEO content strategy to improve your rankings, CTR, and ROI. Bimeo Digital Marketing is here to help your company thrive and adapt to changes in how we create content, learn and intake knowledge, and use technology.
Get a free SEO audit and learn how we would approach your marketing plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Google AI Overview?
The Google AI Overview is a summary box that appears at the top of search results. It provides quick, AI-generated answers by pulling information from authoritative sites, giving users fast and direct responses without needing to click through to websites.
Is Google AI Overview hurting my SEO?
Yes and no. Many businesses see lower click-through rates (CTR) and less traffic since answers appear directly in the AI Overview. However, being featured in the Overview boosts visibility, credibility, and can still drive qualified traffic to your website.
How can my business get included in the Google AI Overview?
Focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Create high-quality, experience-based content, use niche and long-tail keywords, and position your site as an authority in your field.
Should I stop doing SEO now that AI Overview exists?
No. Stopping SEO would harm your online visibility. SEO remains critical for ranking in organic results, local search, and for being included in the AI Overview. Continuous SEO helps your brand stay relevant and discoverable.
How should I adjust my SEO strategy for AI Overview?
Keep optimizing for traditional rankings, but also aim for AI Overview inclusion by publishing unique, authoritative content. Strengthen branding, focus on long-tail keywords, and monitor performance to pivot strategies as search behavior evolves.
