Diminishing Organic Visibility: How To Optimize for AI Overviews
Let’s be real: Google’s search results are changing fast, and if your content isn’t keeping up, it might be slipping out of sight, literally.
Enter AI Overviews (AIOs), Google’s latest twist in the search game. According to a fascinating study by Authoritas, these AI-powered snippets are starting to squeeze traditional organic listings further down the page, and the ripple effect for digital visibility is big.
So, what does that mean for your business, your brand, and your brilliant content? Let’s break it down.
Understanding AI Overviews in Google Search
If you’ve noticed longer, more detailed answers showing up at the top of your Google searches, you’ve already seen AI Overviews in action. These smart snippets pull info from multiple sources to give users more complete answers, without even clicking through to a website.
Contrary to what some might expect, AI Overviews are not taking over every search result. The Authoritas study found that AIOs appear in just under 30% of searches, with a more significant presence in mid-volume search terms. Specifically, keywords with monthly search volumes between 501 and 2,400 saw AI Overviews in about 42% of results.
Where AI Overviews Shine
Not all industries are created equal in the AI Overview world. The Authoritas study also revealed that telecommunications lead the pack with 56% of keywords triggering AI Overviews, while Beauty and Cosmetics sees only 14% coverage.
The real sweet spot? Problem solving and question based queries:
- 74% of problem solving searches trigger AI Overviews
- 69% of specific question based searches generate AI Overviews
- Navigational searches show minimal presence of AIOs
So, if your content helps people find real answers to real questions, you’re already on the right track!
The Big Squeeze
Now let’s talk about the part that’s raising eyebrows in the SEO world.
When expanded on desktop, AI Overviews can shove organic listings down by about 220 pixels. That’s a lot of prime real estate lost. On mobile? It’s even tighter, sometimes only one or two organic results show up without scrolling.
That’s the squeeze we’re talking about. And if you’re not adapting, you could be getting pushed right out of your audience’s view.
Who’s Getting the AI Spotlight?
The study revealed some fascinating trends about citation:
- About 50% of top-ranking pages appear in AI Overviews
- High-authority sites in finance and healthcare, are more likely to be cited
- Interestingly, sites like Reddit and Quora are less frequently mentioned
Optimizing Content for AI Search Results
So, how do you get in on this AI action? Let’s break it down:
Go Deep and Get Specific: Ditch the fluff! Create content that’s super detailed and answers those burning questions. Share firsthand experience and practical expertise, not just surface-level info.
Speak Schema: Think of structured data, such as schema markup, as a secret code that helps search engines understand your content. Use it!
Build Those Backlink Bridges: Backlinks still matter. Focus on getting cited by credible sources that align with your brand values and expertise.
Snippets are Your Superpower: Structure your content to directly answer common questions. Over 60% of Featured Snippets end up in AI Overviews.
Make Your Site Search Friendly: Ensure your website is easily crawlable and indexable. It’s the basics, but it’s crucial.
The Evolving Search Landscape
AI Overviews aren’t just a passing trend, they’re a glimpse into the future of search engines. We’re diving headfirst into a world where search is smarter and more intuitive. AI is learning to understand why people search, not just what they search. This means we’ve got to step up our game and create content that adds value and answers questions for the user.
The brands that thrive won’t be the ones clinging to old SEO playbooks. They’ll be the ones who get curious, get creative, and get strategic with their content.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start by thinking like your audience:
What do they want to know?
What problems are they trying to solve?
How can you deliver that value with clarity, warmth, and authority?
Ready to Conquer AI Search?
We covered a lot of ground in this blog and you might have bumped up against some terms that weren’t familiar – unless you’re a techie. We’re here to help you navigate this new terrain. Let’s chat about how our Website, Design, and Technical team can help you shine. Let’s make sure your message doesn’t get buried in the AI shuffle.