In May of 2024, Google announced a major new feature at its flagship I/O conference: the Google AI Overview, as part of its Search Generative Experience (SGE) ongoing project. This AI-enhanced feature adds a new level to search engine results, changing forever how people interact with data and how companies engage in SEO Optimisation.
As businesses and marketers scramble to adapt, understanding the impact of this revolutionary technology is essential. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into what Google AI Overview is, how it functions, and more importantly, its implications for SEO strategies in 2025 and beyond.
Understanding Google AI Overview
Google AI Overview is an intelligent, AI-constructed summary box that shows up at the top of certain search results. Rather than merely listing websites, it presents an instant, synthesised answer based on several online sources — without users having to click through to individual websites.
It relies on Google’s powerful large language model (LLM), Gemini, to read through enormous amounts of web content and build a brief, readable summary.
Major Features of Google AI Overview:
Artificially generated responses to questions
Citations and source links for clarity
Interactive follow-up questions
Visual incorporation of images, charts or videos when applicable
Operates across shopping, local searches, and beyond
Google terms this feature as means to enable users “get to the heart of the information” more quickly. While it profoundly increases user ease, it also brings significant changes for content creators and marketers dependent on organic traffic.
The Pre-Google AI SEO Landscape Overview
To understand the full extent, let’s remember how SEO optimisation used to work.
Search engine optimisation has been all about ranking high on Google’s organic results for years. Marketers would concentrate on:
Keyword research and placement
High-quality backlinks
Technical SEO (such as site speed and mobile responsiveness)
Content marketing to target search intent
Meta titles, tags, and structured data
The objective was to be on page one — particularly in the top three position — where click-throughs are greatest. But now, the AI Overview shatters this model by answering questions directly, quite often before users even have to scroll down to the classic blue links.
What Does Google AI Overview Mean for SEO Optimisation?
Let’s demystify the main implications of Google’s AI Overview for SEO Optimisation strategies in 2025.
- Decline in Click-Through Rates (CTR)
Websites that previously enjoyed strong organic CTRs may now see a drop. Why?
Because Google’s AI Overview gives users enough information that they may not feel the need to click on any result — including yours. This phenomenon is called “zero-click searches.”
Stats Snapshot:
A SparkToro study predicted that in 2023, more than 57% of Google searches concluded without a click. AI Overviews will increase this percentage substantially in 2025.
- Increased Emphasis on Authoritative Content
Google is increasingly focusing on credible, properly referenced content for its AI Overviews. That implies thin or promotional content will be neglected by the algorithm.
SEO optimisation must now be based on E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).
Actionable Tip:
Invest in topical authority. Long-form, data-driven, expert-produced content will perform better than generic blog content.
- Structured Data Is More Important Than Ever
As a way of providing accurate data to feed its AI model, Google greatly depends on structured data such as:
Schema markup
Tables, bullet points, and headings
More well-structured sites have a greater likelihood of being featured in the AI Overview.
SEO Optimisation Tip:
Include applicable schema (such as Product, LocalBusiness, Article, or FAQ) on every page to enhance AI visibility.
- Long-tail Keywords Get a Boost
Google AI Overview is more likely to be shown on conversational or question-based searches, such as:
“How does solar energy work?”
“Best skincare routine for dry skin”
“How to do SEO Optimisation for a small business?”
This creates a goldmine of possibilities for long-tail keyword targeting.
Pro Strategy:
Target your content around user intent and organic questions your audience are searching for. Employ tools such as Google’s “People Also Ask,” AnswerThePublic, or Semrush to discover relevant questions.
How Marketers Should Remodel Their SEO Optimisation Strategy
Though the AI Overview can lower clicks, it can also become a force to be reckoned with — if leveraged intelligently. Here’s how to future-proof your SEO.
- Make “Overview-Worthy” Content
Your content must be worthy of being lifted wholesale into Google’s AI Overview. This requires:
Concise, clear answers to questions
Fresh insights
Cited facts and solid authorities
Evident formatting (headings, lists, bolding)
Example:
When writing on “What is SEO Optimisation?“, include a clear 40-60 word summary that directly answers the question at the top of the article.
- Optimize for Featured Snippets
Most AI Overview citations are taken from already-ranking content appearing in featured snippets or “Position Zero.”
Optimize your content to be snippet-friendly by:
Creating headings such as “What is…” or “How to…”
Answering immediately under the heading
Utilizing numbered steps or how-tos
- Establish Brand Authority
Google AI prefers to utilize sources with high domain authority. That involves building backlinks, enhancing domain trust, and being active throughout the web.
SEO Optimisation in 2025 isn’t just about content — it’s about credibility.
- Optimise for Voice and Conversational Search
AI Overview ties directly into how people speak and ask questions using voice assistants or mobile search.
Craft your content with a conversational tone, using natural language rather than just keyword stuffing.
Potential Upside: AI Overview Can Be a Visibility Booster
Even though you’re worried, being mentioned in an AI Overview would radically increase your brand’s exposure — even if users don’t click.
Just as a strong SERP ranking establishes credibility, appearing in the AI summary establishes you as a specialist in your industry.
SEO Insight:
Google presents links to sources within its AI Overview. So clicks may be less, but they’re more intentful, and more likely to convert.
The Maverick Services Role in the AI SEO Age
As a premier digital marketing partner, Maverick Services leads the way through each SEO revolution — including AI-driven changes such as the Google AI Overview.
Our full-service SEO Optimisation services include:
Semantic and AI keyword research
Voice search and long-tail planning
Featured snippet optimization
Structured data and schema installation
Technical SEO audits
Authoritative content creation
We think AI should augment SEO, not replace it. By learning how the AI Overview operates, we keep your brand in view, competitive, and top-of-mind in Google’s constantly evolving algorithm.
Conclusion:
Google’s AI Overview is a monumental shift in how individuals engage with information. It’s a wake-up call for companies: SEO tricks from the past are no longer sufficient.
Sucess now hinges on adopting semantic search, producing quality content, and mapping to user intent more accurately than ever before.
As a startup, local business, or national brand, your SEO strategy has to keep pace with the tools and technologies Google brings to market.
