Google’s AI Overviews are generating a lot of buzz. Some SEOs are scrambling to “optimize” for them, as if it’s some brand new ranking factor. But here’s the truth: optimizing for AI Overviews is essentially the same as good ol’ fashioned SEO best practices.

Think of AI Overviews as a spotlight shining on the content Google already considers high-quality. Studies have shown that 99.5% of results in AI Overviews typically highlight results from the top traditional blue link results. This means that Google is reportedly combining traditional SEO signals with its Gemini AI model. It’s pulling information from sites that demonstrate:Desktop search results page showing the AI Overview for the search 'how many gallons is a 1/ keg'.

  • E-E-A-T: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. So your site has well-written, accurate, and informative content from credible sources.
  • Relevance: Your content needs to deeply and comprehensively address the search query and intent.
  • User Engagement: Google pays attention to how users interact with your page. High bounce rates and low dwell times signal that your content isn’t satisfying search intent.

So, how does this translate to “optimizing” for AI Overviews?

It doesn’t require a radical shift in your SEO strategy. Instead, double down on what already works:

  • Create high-quality, comprehensive content: Go beyond surface-level information. Dive deep, answer related questions, and provide valuable insights.
  • Build a strong website architecture: Make it easy for both users and Googlebot to navigate your site. Use clear headings, internal links, and a logical site structure.
  • Focus on user experience: Ensure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to use.
  • Establish a solid technical SEO foundation: This includes using schema markup to help Google understand your content, optimizing header tags to structure your pages, and adding descriptive alt text to images.

Double down on what already works: create high-quality content, build a strong sit architecture, focus on UX, and establish a solid SEO foundation.The bottom line:

Don’t get caught up in the hype of a “new” SEO trend. Focus on creating excellent content that serves your audience. By following SEO best practices, you’ll naturally increase your chances of being featured in AI Overviews. 

It’s not about gaming the system; it’s about proving to Google that you’re the best source of information for the user. And that’s what good SEO has always been about.