AI Overviews will soon be the new featured snippets. Not quite long ago, featured snippets optimization was a huge discussion, but it appears AI Overviews will soon be the new gold.
Optimizing to be cited in AI Overviews is similar to doing that for featured snippets and can provide multiple effects, namely:
- Increased Visibility
When the AI selects your content to answer user queries, it places your site in front of such a broad audience. If many users search for this query, the citation can drive a surge in traffic and even user engagement.
- Solidify your online reputation and credibility
When a user sees your link in an AI response, they’d most likely think “if this AI is suggesting this business, they have to be really good.” Besides this trustworthiness in users, search engines may also get the signal that your content is authoritative.
- One for many
Just as SEOs optimized websites primarily for Google Search, and the sites generate traffic from other search engines, optimizing your page for AI citation produces a similar ripple effect for numerous tools.
This is because the optimization processes for most AI tools are similar. Hence, following the best practices can potentially get your pages cited on numerous tools, such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.
- Generate backlinks
I recently had several consulting clients who needed my AI optimization service. Performing manual searches for hundreds of keywords in my clients’ niche and comparing to my clients’ website, I found clear tactics that these ranking pages have followed to win their AI Overveiws citations.
This guide explains these tactics in detail. Read this and implement on your websites. If you need further help, contact me for a free consultation.
Tactics for Ranking in Google Search AI Overviews
AI overviews and citations scan the web for content that best answers a user’s query. To do this, they assess the numerous factors about the content, primarily the relevance, authority, and structure.
Google AI, for example, may pull snippets of information directly from your page. Although Google Search Central states that creators do not have to do anything special to be considered other than following Google’s guidance for Search, we already know that Google cannot release their ranking factors to prevent abusing the system. The tactics I explain here will increase your likelihood of getting cited in these AI Overviews.
1. Modify Content to Rank in AI Overviews
Very soon, most or all searches will have AI Overviews. However, right now, only a small percentage of queries have this, so it’s tricky when you try to predict the searches for which AI Overviews will be present.
Since you’re reading this guide, you already understand the value of being cited by Google’s AI in search. This is why I have placed finding the relevant keywords as the first step.
To identify your keywords that have AI Overviews, you can perform manual searches until you see the trend of what types of keywords in your niche they show up for. If there are numerous queries in your niche, you have to focus on those for which your content already ranks on the first page.
Take a note of these queries, their answers in the AIOs, and your website’s relevant pages that already rank for these keywords..
When you have these, create answers or overviews that provide more value that the existing ones. In creating your versions, always ensure to emulate the current AI Overview sources. Ensure that the answer you provide aligns with what’s currently ranking in terms of:
- Word count: Ensure to keep your answer within around the same the word count of the current answers.
- Format: Confirm if the ranking Overview is a paragraph, list, video, or table, etc,. Use this to inform the format of your answer.
- Intent: Ensure that your answer is in the same context and aligns with the intent of the searcher.
If your answer or overview provides more value than the existing ones and is presented in the format and structure that Google has chosen, your preferred landing page ranks high on the first page for that search term, and your page and website at large are well placed, your content is now a contender for the AIO spot.
Now, I know that “well placed” is vague even in SEO. Continue reading the next tactics to understand the other factors that place your content in contention for Google’s AI Overviews.
2. Use Structured Data and Schema
Structured data is like a digital translator, helping Google’s AI understand the nuances of your content.
When you provide specific information about your content, you’re essentially giving Google a roadmap to categorize and rank your it effectively.
The key types of structured data for AI Overviews are:
- Article: For in-depth pieces on AI topics.
- HowTo: Ideal for tutorials or step-by-step guides.
- FAQPage: Perfect for addressing common questions.
- Review: Great for product reviews or comparisons.
- VideoObject: For video content related to AI.
Apart from ranking for AI Overviews in Google, using structured data and schema offers benefits:
- Improved Search Visibility: When Google understands your content’s structure, it can display it in rich results like featured snippets, knowledge panels, or carousels. These visually appealing formats often attract more clicks.
- Enhanced Relevance: Structured data helps Google match your content to relevant search queries more accurately, leading to higher rankings in AI Overviews.
- Better User Experience: By providing clear information about your content, structured data can improve user satisfaction, which can positively impact your search rankings.
- Trust and Authority: Google values content that is well-structured and informative. This can help establish your website as a reliable source of AI information, making it more likely to be featured in AI Overviews.
3. Fuel Your Content With Backlinks
I’ve analyzed thousands of websites that rank for AI-related search terms, and the correlation between high-quality backlinks and visibility in AI Overviews is clear. Websites with a strong backlink profile tend to have a higher presence in these featured snippets. Quality over quantity is key. Focus on building backlinks from reputable websites that are relevant to your AI overview’s topic.
Recent leaks of internal Google documents have shed light on the algorithm factors that influence content ranking in AI Overviews. While the exact details are confidential, these leaks have confirmed the significance of backlinks.
Here’s how backlinks are likely playing a role in AI Overview rankings:
- High-quality links from relevant, reputable sources can signal to Google’s AI that your content is trustworthy and authoritative. This can boost your content’s chances of being featured in AI Overviews.
- Backlinks from websites that are relevant to the AI overview’s topic can indicate that your content is a valuable resource. Google’s AI may prioritize content with strong topical relevance for inclusion in AI Overviews.
- Backlinks can drive traffic to your website, which can lead to increased user engagement. Google tracks user engagement metrics, such as click-through rates and time on page, when determining whether to feature content in AI Overviews.
While the specific weight given to backlinks in AI Overview rankings may vary, the leaked documents confirm that they are a significant factor. By building high-quality backlinks from relevant websites, you can improve your content’s visibility and chances of being featured in these coveted search results.
4. Consider the Topic, not Individual Keywords
Google’s AI is complex and looking for more than just keyword density. The key is to think in terms of topics. Instead of focusing on individual keywords, focus on the broader theme or concept that your content revolves around. Try to provide a comprehensive and informative overview of a topic, and this increases your likelihood to capture the attention of both Google’s AI and your audience.
Here’s why thinking in terms of topics is crucial:
- Relevance: Google’s AI is better equipped to understand the context and relevance of your content when you focus on topics. This increases your chances of being featured in AI Overviews for relevant search queries.
- Depth and Breadth: By covering a topic comprehensively, you’re more likely to provide valuable information to users. This can improve your content’s authority and credibility.
- User Experience: When you focus on topics, you can create content that is more engaging and informative for your audience. This can lead to higher user satisfaction and increased time on page, which are important factors for ranking.
To effectively target topics:
- Identify your niche: Determine the specific area of AI that you want to focus on.
- Research your target audience: Understand their needs, interests, and pain points.
- Create a content calendar: Plan your content around key topics within your niche.
- Use topic modeling tools: These tools can help you identify related topics and keywords.
Explore my profile to learn more about how I can help your website to rank and get cited on Google’s AI Overviews and other generative AI search engines and chatbots.