What Are Google AI Overviews and Their Impact on SEO Traffic?

Introducing AI Overviews

Google has just rolled out a significant update in the realm of AI and SEO, called “AI Overviews”. This new feature aims to enhance search results with AI-generated summaries, making information more accessible and concise for users.

The Big News

On May 14, Google announced that its AI generative experience, now named AI Overviews, will soon be available to the public in the U.S. This is a default feature for all users, meaning you will automatically receive these updates unless you choose to opt out.

What Are AI Overviews?

AI Overviews, previously known as SGE (Search Generative Experience), are AI-crafted responses to search queries that appear prominently at the top of search results. In anticipation of this change, we have already refined our SEO and content strategies to improve our chances of being featured in these AI-generated summaries.

How Will This Affect SEO Traffic?

The impact of AI Overviews on SEO traffic will differ based on industry and keyword type. Informational content is likely to see more changes than transactional content. For e-commerce and local services, the impact on revenue-driving traffic is expected to be minimal.

What Google isn’t telling us?

Google hasn’t provided specifics on when or for which keywords AI Overviews will appear. In Google Search Console, clicks and impressions from AI Overviews will be included in the overall numbers without separate identification.

Steps You Should Take

To adapt to this new update, consider the following actions:

  • Regularly check your key keywords to see if AI Overviews are generated.
  • Verify if your content is cited in these overviews and ensure the information is accurate.
  • Report any inaccuracies found in the AI-generated summaries.
  • Continuously monitor keyword performance to adjust your strategies promptly.
  • Testing, monitoring, and analyzing the impact of these changes for over a year.
  • Optimizing content specifically for Generative Experience Optimization (GEO).
  • Ensuring our content sends clear technical signals to Google.
  • Crafting comprehensive content designed to succeed in multi-step reasoning scenarios.
  • Tracking the SEO impact at an industry level to quickly adapt our strategies.
  • Promoting authority through increased citations and mentions.

Conclusion

Overall, while some websites might see a decrease in traffic for informational queries, those providing valuable, in-depth, and transactional content should maintain a stable flow of visitors. Stay informed and adjust your SEO strategy to leverage these AI-powered updates effectively!