AI Overviews & AI Mode: What They Change for SEO (and What Still Works)
Google’s AI Overviews and the newer AI Mode place an AI-generated summary above the classic blue links and sometimes keep users in a conversational flow for longer. That changes where clicks go—and how your brand gets discovered. The goal isn’t just to “rank” anymore; it’s to be the source that the AI quotes. This post explains a practical approach you can deploy now: Answer-Engine Optimisation (AEO).
Quick definitions
- AI Overviews – An AI-written snapshot that answers the query and links to sources for deeper reading. It now appears on many queries globally.
- AI Mode – A more conversational search experience that can handle multi-step tasks and follow-up questions, with rollout continuing across regions.
Practical implication: some journeys start—and stay—in AI. Being cited in the AI layer is as important as appearing in the web results below it.
What still works (and matters even more)
E-E-A-T you can see
Show Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness in ways machines and people can verify:
- Author card: headshot, credentials, years of hands-on experience, and links to more bylined work.
- Evidence box (“How we know”): cite sources, add original screenshots, code samples, or measurements.
- Review/update stamp: “Reviewed on” date + reviewer name/role.
- Proof: case studies, testimonials, and third-party profiles.
- Information architecture: clear headings, crisp intros that define the thing in one sentence, accessible markup.
- Technical hygiene: fast pages, stable layouts, crawlable navigation, tidy internal links.
- Structured data: FAQPage, HowTo, Product/Service, LocalBusiness/Organisation (schema type is
Organization), Review, Breadcrumb, and Logo.
AEO: make your content the easiest, safest thing for AI to quote
- Add “E-E-A-T blocks” to key pages
Make credibility scannable for users and machines. Use an author card + evidence box and show last reviewed dates. - Write concise FAQs on every service/topic page
Draft 5–8 questions your team actually get. Answer in 2–4 sentences with a bold takeaway line. Mark up withFAQPageschema. - Publish small, definitive stats tables
AI needs clean facts. Create tables that settle common debates, then source them. Examples:
| Topic | What to tabulate | Why it helps AEO |
|---|---|---|
| Platform comparison | Fees, PCI burden, plugins/app ecosystem, typical build time | Gives AI a neat, low-ambiguity block to quote with attribution |
| Performance targets | LCP, CLS, INP guardrails; measurement method/link | Turns vague advice into measurable thresholds |
| Hosting tiers vs traffic | Recommended specs at 10k/50k/250k+ monthly visits | Provides a clear decision aid that’s easy to cite |
- Publish unique first-party data
Mini-benchmarks (e.g., anonymised before/after Core Web Vitals across a sample of SMEs), transparent pricing ranges by sector, or “time-to-value” studies post-launch. Describe your method and link to raw tables where possible. - Write for AI + humans with “liftable” patterns
Lead with a one-sentence answer. Mirror intents with semantic sub-headings (“Cost”, “Timeline”, “Security”, “Maintenance”). Use short checklists and numbered steps. - Mark up the basics—so machines never guess
Organisation (schema typeOrganization) orLocalBusinesswithsameAslinks, plusService/Product,FAQPage,HowTo,Review/AggregateRating,Breadcrumb, and Logo.
Measuring success in an AI-first SERP
- Track citations as well as positions: monitor when your domain is cited in AI Overviews for priority queries.
- Watch branded demand: in analytics and Search Console, track brand queries and CTR after pages gain AI citations.
- Mine follow-ups: the questions users ask next in AI Mode can become new FAQ entries or sections.
Frequently asked questions (AEO & AI search)
Do AI Overviews replace traditional SEO?
No. Classic SEO still matters—especially technical quality, content depth, links, and structured data. AEO builds on that by making your content easy for AI to summarise and cite.
How do I get cited in AI Overviews?
Provide unambiguous, well-sourced answers; use clear headings; add concise FAQs; include stats tables; and implement relevant schema. Make credibility obvious (E-E-A-T blocks) and keep pages updated.
Does structured data help with AI Overviews?
Structured data doesn’t guarantee inclusion, but it reduces ambiguity and helps machines interpret your content. FAQPage, HowTo, Organisation (schema Organization), and Review schema are common wins.
What should I measure beyond rankings?
Track when your domain is cited in AI Overviews, changes in branded search, and on-page conversions from visitors who arrive after engaging with AI features.
Is AI Mode available yet?
Google continues to expand AI Mode. Availability varies by region and product settings, and features may change over time.
Need help implementing AEO?
If you’d like us to review a key page, add E-E-A-T blocks and FAQs, and mark it up for AEO, get in touch.