Understanding Google AI Overviews (AIOs)

Google AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experiences) are AI-generated answers that now sit above organic search results. They provide users with quick summaries pulled from multiple sources, often answering questions without requiring a click to a website.

How AI Overviews Affect SEO

• Fewer organic clicks: Studies from Ahrefs and Amsive show that AI Overviews drop click-through rates (CTR) on organic listings by 34.5%.
• Position 1 isn’t safe: Even the top organic results lose visibility when AI overviews appear.
• Branded vs. non-branded: Non-branded keywords suffer the most. Branded terms are less affected and sometimes see slight CTR boosts.
• New ways to win: Being cited in an AI Overview can still drive traffic, but it’s different. The key is to show up in content, not just rank first.

How AI Overviews Affect Google Business Profiles (GBPs)

• Auto-generated content: Google can now create business descriptions and review summaries with AI. Sometimes the information is wrong. It’s a good idea to regularly check and update descriptions.
• New photo overlays: AI adds descriptions to GBP photos. These can create extra keyword opportunities if handled well.
• Services and Service Areas: Google sometimes automatically assigns services and service areas based on category. This can help or hurt rankings, but it is not strategic.

What MedShark Digital Recommends

• Be the only one who answers the question: If a page is the most straightforward and best answer out there, it has a better chance at showing up inside AI Overviews.
• Create direct, easy-to-read content: Pages that match the exact question a user asks have a better chance of being included in AI Overviews. Keep the language simple, clear, and concise.
• Keep the GBP optimized and clean: Update descriptions, watch services, and utilize custom services when possible.
• Be ready to adjust strategies: How people search and click is changing fast. Staying ahead means adapting content, not just ranking better. Reach out to our team for individualized guidance and support.