AI is changing the way people search. With Google AI Overviews and the new AI Mode, users get synthesised answers directly in the search results. For businesses, this raises an important question: how do you stay visible if Google itself is generating summaries?
The answer: by being one of the trusted sources Google cites in its AI results. In this article, we’ll explain how AI Overviews and AI Mode work, what Google looks for when choosing sources, and how you can position your business to be cited.
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What Are Google AI Overviews and AI Mode?
What are Google AI Overviews, and how do they affect SEO?
Google’s AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results when a query is complex or benefits from a broader explanation. These summaries provide users with quick insights and link to the supporting sources that informed the answer (Google Search Central).
For SEO, this means two things:
- Click-through rates may decline for some queries since users get answers faster.
- Being cited in an overview can boost authority and still drive valuable traffic.
What is the difference between Google AI Mode and AI Overviews?
While AI Overviews offer quick summaries, AI Mode is a deeper, more interactive experience. According to Google, AI Mode uses techniques like “query fan-out” to explore multiple angles of a search, gathering richer results for complex questions (Google Blog).
Think of it this way:
- AI Overviews = quick answers.
- AI Mode = research assistant.
How Google Chooses Sources for AI Overviews
Can my website be cited in Google’s AI-generated answers?
Yes — but only if your content meets Google’s criteria. To be eligible:
- Your site must be indexed in Google Search.
- Your page must be eligible for a snippet (clean content, crawlable text).
- There are no “special tags” required, just solid SEO foundations (Google Search Central).
How does Google decide which sites to cite in AI Overviews?
Research suggests Google looks at:
- E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
- Clarity and structure (headings, bullet points, FAQs)
- Freshness (recent updates, reliable information)
(Blue Archer, Search Engine Land).
Do I need structured data or special markup to appear in AI Overviews?
No — Google has confirmed there’s no special schema required. However, structured data still helps clarify your content and can indirectly boost your chances (arXiv Research).
Explore our SEO Services or check out our cost-effective SEO Packages & Pricing.
Practical SEO Tactics to Increase Your Chances
How can small businesses compete for visibility in Google AI Mode?
Small businesses can compete by focusing on niche authority and local expertise. Practical steps include:
- Writing content that answers specific, complex questions in your niche.
- Using local SEO strategies (e.g., “ERP software South Africa” instead of just “ERP software”).
- Ensuring strong technical SEO, including site speed and crawlability.
What type of content is most likely to get cited in AI Overviews?
Content that works well includes:
- “What is…” and “How to…” guides.
- In-depth comparisons.
- FAQs and structured content.
- Articles with clear, concise answers supported by context.
How can I track if my website is being cited in AI Overviews?
Currently, there’s no “AI citation” report in Google Search Console. However, you can:
- Monitor impressions and clicks in Google Search Console.
- Use SEO tools like Ahrefs to track AI citations (Ahrefs AI Citation Report).
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Why AI Overviews Matter for SMEs
Does being cited in AI Overviews increase traffic to my website?
Yes. Even if click-through rates are lower overall, being cited:
- Boosts brand authority.
- Still drives qualified traffic from users who want to read more.
- Position your business as a trusted source.
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Are AI Overviews replacing featured snippets in Google Search?
Not entirely. While AI Overviews and featured snippets sometimes overlap, both coexist. They rely on similar ranking signals: structured, high-quality, and trustworthy content.
Final Thoughts
AI Overviews and AI Mode are transforming how search works. While they may change click patterns, they also create new opportunities for businesses to gain visibility. The key is high-quality, structured, authoritative content backed by smart SEO.
If you want to improve your chances of being cited in Google’s AI results, let’s talk. Our SEO Services and SEO Packages are built to help SMEs thrive in this new search landscape.
