Summary
Google AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of Google search results, offering quick answers without requiring users to click through to websites.
Definition
In 2023, Google introduced AI Overviews as part of its integration of generative AI into search. Instead of showing only the familiar list of blue links, AI Overviews present a synthesized Response at the top of the results page. These summaries are designed to give users quick, natural language answers without requiring them to click through multiple websites.
AI Overviews typically include a mix of Cited Sources and Inline Sources. Cited Sources provide attribution and transparency, while Inline Sources give users clickable entry points inside the text. Behind these are the Source Domains that supply the content used by the AI. This combination makes AI Overviews one of the most influential formats for Brand Visibility in search today.
For marketers and agencies, Google AI Overviews are critical because they represent the front door of online discovery. If a brand appears prominently in an Overview, it signals authority and relevance in Google’s ecosystem. If absent, it suggests competitors may be shaping category narratives and capturing Share of Voice.
Use cases
Measuring whether and how your brand appears in AI Overviews.
Tracking Brand Placement to see how early your brand is mentioned in summaries.
Comparing Brand Position against competitors within the same Overview.
Benchmarking visibility across Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity AI Search.
Using AI Overview insights to guide Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AI Overviews affect traffic to websites?
Yes, since they can either drive clicks to Inline Sources or reduce clicks to traditional search listings.
Why are Google AI Overviews important for marketers?
They influence brand discovery and perception at the most visible point in Google search results.
How do AI Overviews display sources?
They often combine Cited Sources for attribution with Inline Sources as clickable links inside the text.
What are Google AI Overviews?
They are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of Google’s search results.