If you’ve been keeping up with Google’s latest updates, you’ve probably noticed something big happening in search results AI Overviews, formerly called SGE (Search Generative Experience). These AI-generated summaries now appear at the very top of Google search results, giving users a quick, well-structured answer to their query.
This changes the game for everyone bloggers, content writers, marketers, and small business owners.
So let’s address the real question:
How do you rank in Google’s AI Overviews?
Here’s the honest answer you don’t rank in the usual SEO way. But you can still get picked as a source if you do the right things. This guide will walk you through exactly how to do that, based on real observations, current SEO practices, and what works in this new AI-first world.
What Are Google’s AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are Google’s way of summarising the best answers from the web using generative AI. Instead of showing ten links first, it shows a block of text often with links that answers the user’s query directly.
Google pulls this information from multiple sources. So now, it’s not just about being in position one. It’s about being one of the trustworthy sources Google chooses to generate that AI answer.
Why It Matters for Writers, Bloggers, and SEO Professionals
Here’s the hard truth organic clicks are already going down. With AI answers showing up first, many users won’t even scroll to the traditional blue links. That means even if you rank on page one, you might still lose traffic.
This makes one thing clear:
- You need to make your content AI-friendly
- You need to be the site Google picks as a source for its AI answer
- You need to structure content so you’re the next click after the AI summary
Let’s look at how to make that happen.
How to Rank in Google’s AI Overviews
These strategies are based on simple logic, clear writing, and building trust not shortcuts.
1. Write Clear, Factual, and Trustworthy Content
Google’s AI doesn’t pull from clickbait, vague statements, or over-promotional writing. It chooses well-written content that:
- Explains clearly
- Uses simple language
- Backs up information with sources
Avoid writing for algorithms. Instead, write for clarity and understanding.
Tip: Explain concepts like you’re teaching a smart teenager use plain language, break it down step by step, and stay objective.
2. Use Questions as Subheadings (Q&A Style)
Google AI answers questions. So help it out by:
- Using subheadings in the form of real user questions
- Giving the direct answer right after the heading
- Adding further explanation underneath
For example:
What is Google AI Overview?
Google’s AI Overview is a feature that summarises answers from various websites using generative AI. It appears at the top of the search results and includes links to the sources used.
This format makes it easier for AI to extract the right piece of text from your article.
3. Build Topical Authority Not Just Keyword-Rich Pages
If you want to get picked as a source, you need to show that you genuinely understand a topic not just write one blog post around a trendy keyword.
Build topical authority by:
- Writing multiple articles around the same subject
- Creating internal links between them
- Covering both beginner and advanced angles
Example: If you’re targeting “small business email marketing”, don’t just write one post. Cover related topics like tools, automation tips, email writing examples, and industry-specific strategies.
The deeper your content coverage, the more trustworthy you become to Google’s AI.
4. Use Natural, Conversational Language
AI understands context, not just keywords. That means keyword stuffing won’t help. Instead:
- Write how people naturally speak
- Use variations and related phrases
- Avoid robotic sentence structures
Write like you’re having a real conversation with your reader, not checking off a keyword list.
5. Show Transparency: Author, Sources, and Dates
Google wants to know who wrote the content and when. Make sure your articles include:
- Author name and profile
- Last updated date
- Credible outbound links to sources
Transparency builds trust. And trust increases your chances of being cited by AI Overviews.
6. Use Schema Markup (Structured Data)
Schema markup helps search engines understand the structure and purpose of your content.
Use article schema, FAQ schema, and How-To schema where possible. If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Rank Math or Yoast make this easier.
Even if you don’t understand code, using these tools helps Google classify your content more accurately.
7. Answer “How”, “Why”, and “What” Queries with Detail
AI Overviews prefer content that gives detailed, direct answers.
Instead of:
“Google Tag Manager helps track events.”
Write:
“To track events using Google Tag Manager, create a trigger for the action (like a button click), assign it to a new tag, and publish your container. This allows tracking without changing your site’s code.”
The more specific your explanation, the more useful your content becomes.
8. Use Lists, Tables, and Comparisons
AI Overviews don’t just pick paragraphs. They can also summarise:
- Bullet points
- Numbered steps
- Side-by-side comparisons
Use formatting elements to structure your article clearly.
For example:
- A table comparing SEO tools
- A list of steps to do local SEO
- Pros and cons of different strategies
Structured content helps AI extract clean, useful summaries.
9. Study What’s Already Ranking in AI Overviews
Open Google and search your target keyword. If you see an AI Overview:
- Read the summary
- Look at the sources linked below it
- Analyze how they structured their content
This reverse-engineering gives you insight into what’s working. Use it to adjust your own content.
Also monitor your Google Search Console data. Look for queries that are rising in impressions, even if they’re not yet driving clicks these are often tied to AI Overview experiments.
10. Keep Your Content Updated
Google AI prefers up-to-date content. If your page hasn’t been refreshed in a year, it’s less likely to be used.
Update your content every 3–6 months:
- Refresh statistics
- Add new FAQs based on trends
- Improve examples and add clarity
A content calendar isn’t just for publishing new posts it’s for keeping old ones competitive.
My Words
Ranking in AI Overviews isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about earning trust. If your content is helpful, clear, and well-structured, Google’s AI will be more likely to use it.
This is not the end of SEO. It’s just a new chapter one where clarity, expertise, and usefulness matter more than ever.
Keep learning, keep improving, and focus on real value. That’s how you stay visible even when search changes.
If you’re struggling to adjust your content strategy for AI Overviews or want help making your writing more SEO-friendly in this new AI world let’s talk.
Contact Pratham Writes for a personal consultation or done-for-you content strategy that actually works in 2025 or future.
FAQs
How to get listed in AI Overview?
You can’t directly “apply” or submit your website to be listed in Google’s AI Overview. But you can increase your chances by:
- Writing clear, helpful, and accurate content
- Using question-based subheadings
- Structuring your blog in a Q&A or step-by-step format
- Citing trusted sources and including updated facts
- Building topical authority by covering multiple related articles
Google’s AI pulls answers from websites it trusts. So the goal is to become one of those sources.
How does Google rank AI content?
Google doesn’t give special ranking to AI-written content. What matters is:
- The usefulness of the content
- The originality of the information
- The expertise shown
- How well the page is structured (with headings, schema, and internal links)
Whether content is written by a human or AI, it still needs to meet Google’s E-E-A-T standards: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
If your AI content is helpful, clear, and not spammy — it can rank just like human-written content.
How to rank in AI mode?
If by “AI mode” you mean Google’s AI-driven search (like AI Overviews or SGE), here’s what works:
- Write content that directly answers common questions
- Use natural language instead of keyword stuffing
- Update your content regularly
- Add structured data (schema) so search engines understand your page better
- Build authority around your niche by publishing related articles
Google AI prefers useful, easy-to-understand content that gives specific answers. So instead of chasing rankings, focus on clarity and depth.
How to give rank in Google Form?
This is not related to SEO or AI search, but here’s a quick answer:
To add a ranking question in a Google Form:
- Open your Google Form
- Click on the “+” icon to add a new question
- Choose “Linear scale” as the question type
- Set the scale (e.g., 1 to 5 or 1 to 10)
- Add labels for the lowest and highest points (e.g., Poor to Excellent)
This allows respondents to rate something on a numeric scale.
Does ChatGPT content rank on Google?
Yes, content written with ChatGPT can rank on Google — but only if it follows SEO best practices.
Here’s what matters more than the tool:
- The content must be original, helpful, and targeted to a real user need
- It should not be copied or generic
- You must edit and fact-check everything before publishing
- Structure it with proper headings, subheadings, and internal links
If you use ChatGPT to generate content but add your expertise, optimize it for SEO, and make it useful for readers — it can definitely rank.
