How to Get Featured in Google’s AI Overviews

If you’re in the business of creating content that drives traffic, Google’s AI Overviews could either be your golden ticket or a missed train. Introduced in 2024, AI Overviews now sit right at the top of the SERPs, offering fast, AI-generated answers to queries, and they link to sources they pull from. That means if Google’s fancy new robot likes your page, you might just land premium real estate at the very top of search results.

So how do you become the source Google trusts in its AI summary? Let’s break it down.

What Exactly Are AI Overviews?

Picture this: someone Googles "what's a robot tag?" Instead of scrolling through 10 blue links, they get a neat little AI-generated summary above all the usual results. This summary includes snippets from websites (maybe yours) that offer a clean, direct answer.

It pulls data from places like:

• The Knowledge Graph (sites like Wikipedia, Forbes, Bloomberg, etc.)

• Google’s own stuff (think Google Maps or Google Business Profile)

• Websites with clear and credible content

• Even user content like TikToks, reviews, or photos

The bottom line is, if your site plays nice with Google’s AI, you could be in that top spot.

The Google AI search shows up first and then the "zero position" article will show up after. Some people might not even scroll past the AI overview, so getting your article in there would be huge.

So How Do You Actually Get Featured?

1. Make Sure Google Can Actually Find You

Before anything else, check your crawlability. If Google’s bots can’t access your pages, it doesn’t matter how brilliant your content is. Make sure your robots.txt file isn’t blocking important paths. Check that your most valuable pages don’t accidentally carry "noindex" tags. And use Google Search Console to submit your XML sitemap. It’s your roadmap to showing Google where to look.

Internal linking also matters more than people think. Orphaned pages with no internal links are often skipped by crawlers. Even a simple link from a high-traffic blog post can help boost discoverability. And don’t ignore crawl stats in Google Search Console, they’ll often show you which pages Google is struggling to access or skipping altogether.

Related: How Do Search Engines Work?

2. E-E-A-T - Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness

Google looks for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

• Experience: Share real-life usage, first-hand examples, or case studies. This shows you actually know the topic, not just parroting info.

• Expertise: Demonstrate subject knowledge. Degrees help, but even well-researched, accurate content with consistent tone and terminology builds trust.

• Authoritativeness: Get mentioned or linked by other trusted sites. Media coverage, guest posts, and expert roundups help here.

• Trustworthiness: Secure your site with HTTPS. Avoid excessive ads or misleading popups. Transparency matters. Have a privacy policy, contact page, and clearly defined purpose.

Tip: Add review dates or "last updated" timestamps to signal freshness, especially for YMYL (Your Money Your Life) topics.

3. Answer First, Elaborate Later

Here’s the trick: write like your content is going to be skimmed by someone with 10 tabs open.

• Answer the query in the first 1-2 sentences.

• Use headings and bullets to break things down.

• Keep sentences short and readable.

• Think: How would I explain this to someone in an elevator?

AI-generated summaries are all about fast, digestible information. That means your content needs to front-load value. Begin with a two-sentence answer to the main question. Follow that up with supporting context, details, or steps.

Use natural phrasing that matches how real people ask questions. It’s not “defining the concept of bounce rate,” it’s “What is a bounce rate and why does it matter?” When your answer lines up with common phrasing, AI is more likely to select it.

And structure helps. Subheadings, bold key points, and short paragraphs make content easier to parse, not just for humans, but for machines too. If a section starts with a strong sentence that answers a common query, that’s gold.

Tip: Use Google’s People Also Ask box for inspiration. Answer those follow-up questions in your content to create a broader coverage web.

4. Structured Data Is Your Silent SEO Wingman

Structured data gives Google more clarity about what your content means, not just what it says.

AI Overviews may pull text directly from your content, but structured data gives context and hierarchy to everything you say. By using Schema markup, you’re telling search engines, “Hey, this part is a definition,” or “This is a set of FAQs.”

You don’t need to tag everything, just focus on key areas. Mark up how-to guides, product descriptions, and clear explanations. Tools like Google's Rich Results Test can confirm you’re doing it right. Schema doesn’t guarantee placement, but it makes interpretation easier. Think of it as helping Google skim your site with laser focus. You can do this manually or with plugins like Yoast. But manual tagging for high-value pages gives you better control.

5. Start With What’s Already Winning

Pages that already rank well have a higher chance of getting featured. That’s because Google already sees them as credible. Instead of starting from scratch, look at which of your pages are getting impressions but low CTRs. That’s your low-hanging fruit. So if you’ve got a blog sitting in the top 5 of Google, polish it up:

• Add concise intros.

• Sprinkle in schema.

• Tighten up your formatting.

6. Speed Things Up With Google Search Console

Once you’ve optimized your content, you want Google to notice it fast. That’s where Search Console comes in. Use the URL Inspection Tool to submit an updated page for reindexing. It won’t guarantee instant results, but it’ll definitely speed up the process.

Make it a habit: whenever you do a significant content update, reindex it. Even small changes like adjusting your opening paragraph or adding a schema block can qualify. And if you’re on WordPress, tools like Instant Indexing by Rank Math can help automate this. Just use it sparingly.

Related: How Often Do Google Search Results Update?

But Can You Opt Out of AI Overviews?

Yes, but it's not. recommended. You can use "nosnippet" or "max-snippet" tags. But those also remove your content from normal search snippets.

Translation: fewer previews = fewer clicks.

So unless you’ve got a strong reason, it's usually smarter to lean in rather than block it.

To Summarize: How to Get Featured in Google AI Overviews

How to get featured in Google AI Overview results. AI Overviews are a signal that search is changing and fast. If your content isn’t built for clarity and value, it’s going to fall behind. But if you’re willing to adapt, simplify, and speak human-to-human, you might just earn that prime spot. And let’s be honest: if your content helps someone solve a problem in two sentences? You deserve that top spot.

Remember:

1. Check crawlability

2. Follow E-E-A-T guidelines

3. Write short, clear answers up front

4. Add structured data

5. Improve top-performing pages

6. Reindex with Search Console

Want to be seen on ChatGPT search next? That’s a slightly different game, but the principles aren’t far off. (Hint: structured clarity wins again.)

Do you have content that isn't converting? At Open World Digital we can help you get your content in front of the right people and help you create more content in less time. Contact us here for more info.