On May 14th, 2024, a quick Google search threw content and SEO professionals for a loop as a blurb titled ‘AI Overview’ popped up. This abrupt shift left many scrambling to figure out how to rank on AI Overview and what it meant for their ranking efforts. As big of a shift as it seemed, the strategies it called for weren’t as drastic as expected.
Today, we’ll cover how this specifically pertains to content and how to use this new feature to your advantage.
Decoding AI Overview
First things first: what is AI overview? This feature provides a concise answer to a search query. While it doesn’t show up for every search query, it accounts for the majority of simple questions.
Each part of the answer ends with a button that updates the links on the right-hand side, displaying a curated list of pages sourced from the AI overview. This makes it necessary to be just as concise if we want to be featured.
While not universal, this tool has significantly impacted how users discover and consume online content.
The Impact
The biggest concern when Google enacted this change was its impact on rankings. AI Overview appears as the top result on Google, overshadowing blogs and articles. This means users may find the answers they need directly within the AI-generated summary and never visit additional sites for more information.
This concern was warranted, as this update revealed lower organic traffic results for some. Of course, no business is the same; while some suffered, others may not have seen a lot of changes. One thing didn’t change though: quality content still reigns supreme above all.
Still, this presented an opportunity to refine other tactics and redefine what it means to have quality content if you know how to rank on AI Overview.
Now, How to Rank on AI Overview
Let’s go over some tips.
1. Keep it Simple
The mark of a good writer is being able to get your point across clearly using fewer words. Overcomplicating verbiage is the bane of every user’s existence. It can confuse users and therefore, your overall performance. AI Overview added another level to this.
Since quick and easy answers are offered every time there’s a search query, it forces us to summarize content rather quickly to be featured.
2. Leverage Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions now serve a more strategic purpose: providing immediate, valuable answers directly in search results. Keyword stuffing and meta description-clickbait have become obsolete tactics.
Now, your article should answer queries concisely and within the meta description whenever possible. For example, if you’re targeting the keyword ‘best laptop for gaming,’ make sure your meta description clearly states “The best laptop for gaming is XYZ. It features ABC and DEF.” This is your best chance of getting featured in AI Overview.
3. Strategize for Search Queries
Before writing content, sit down for a strategy session to understand what users want. Let’s say you’re a hair boutique and want to rank for the keyword ‘curly haircut’. Don’t just research that single keyword—look at related queries about the subject. These may include, “What is a curly haircut?” or “Do I need a curly haircut?”.
User questions are gold mines. They show you exactly what to write about, how to rank on AI Overview, and ready-to-use headings.
4. Insert FAQ Sections
Many B2C companies prioritize a FAQ page on their website to answer user questions easily. But AI Overview has brought up the need to include these in blogs as well depending on the topic. Let’s use the curly hair questions as an example again.
If I write a blog titled “Curly Hair: Everything You Need to Know,” I tell users that it will answer all their curly hair questions. Each new heading could be a commonly asked question regarding curly hair, and right below, businesses can concisely provide the answer. This sets up your business as a valuable source of information for Google to feature.
5. Historically Optimize
What you’ve written in 2021 won’t be optimized for Google’s 2025 changes; you didn’t know how to rank on AI Overview before it existed. This new feature calls for us to optimize pieces to remain relevant. Google will not feature your article in the overview if the answer you provide contains a stat from five years ago—and it definitely won’t if your answer refuses to be concise.
Still, there may be blogs published years ago that perform well. It’s always best to comb through and ensure your content has the best chance possible to rank.
Content Makes No Promises About the Future
Google likes to use ever-changing algorithms and evolving features to keep us on our toes. Catering content to such changes is a never-ending process that requires patience, strategy, and a lot of research. This is easier to achieve when it’s your job, but business owners trying to become content-savvy may feel overwhelmed learning how to rank on AI Overview.
That’s where Lemonade Stand steps in. As a digital marketing company, we offer content strategy, SEO expertise, PPC services, website design, and so much more. If you’re ever interested in taking the load off, we’re happy to help.
Contact us today and watch how insanely fast we get back to you—this responsiveness is just a glimpse of our communication when you work with us.
