Where Does Google AI Overviews Appear?

Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) have become a defining feature of the modern search experience, significantly affecting how information is displayed and accessed. While still relatively new, their presence is growing, particularly in mid-volume queries and problem-solving searches. But where exactly do AI Overviews appear, and what factors influence their visibility?

This article explores the presence of AI Overviews in Google’s search results, analysing their frequency, relevance across industries, and impact on organic search rankings. It also offers insights for businesses and marketers looking to optimise for these AI-driven results.

AI Overviews: General Presence in Google Search

AI Overviews are not universally present across all search queries. Based on a study analysing 10,000 keywords across seven U.S. industries, AI Overviews appeared in 29.9% of searches. However, these searches accounted for only 11.5% of the total search volume.

A key finding from the study is that AI Overviews do not frequently appear for high-traffic searches. Instead, they are more likely to show up in mid-range search volume queries, specifically those with monthly searches between 501 and 2,400. Approximately 42% of keywords in this range featured an AI Overview, demonstrating that AI-generated answers are more prevalent where competition is moderate but not overwhelming.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Overviews appear in less than one-third of searches overall.
• They are more common in mid-volume searches rather than high-traffic queries.
• This suggests an opportunity for content creators to optimise mid-level keywords for AIO visibility.

AI Overviews by Industry and User Intent

Google’s AI Overviews do not distribute evenly across all industries. Instead, their presence varies based on the nature of the queries and user intent.

Industries with High AI Overview Presence

• Telecommunications: AI Overviews appeared in 56% of searches in this sector.
• Technology & Computing: Frequent AI Overviews due to the high volume of troubleshooting and technical queries.
• Finance & Healthcare: Often included in AI Overviews, especially for general informational searches.

Industries with Low AI Overview Presence

• Beauty & Cosmetics: AI Overviews appeared in only 14% of searches.
• Retail & E-commerce: AI Overviews were less common, likely because these searches often involve product comparisons or direct navigation to brand websites.

Influence of Search Intent

AI Overviews appear more frequently for queries that involve problem-solving or question-based searches:

• 74% of problem-solving queries triggered AI Overviews.
• 69% of question-based searches (“how to,” “why does,” etc.) generated AI Overviews.
• Navigational queries (e.g., searching for a brand name) rarely produced AI Overviews.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Overviews are heavily influenced by industry and search intent.
• Queries with specific questions or problem-solving triggers AIOs most often.
• Navigational searches (brand-specific searches) are less likely to show AI Overviews.

AI Overviews & Brand vs. Non-Brand Queries

A significant distinction exists between brand vs. non-brand searches when it comes to AI Overview appearances:

• 33.3% of non-brand searches resulted in AI Overviews.
• Only 19.6% of brand-related searches had AI Overviews.

Brand-related searches typically occur later in the buying journey, meaning users are likely looking for direct navigation to a brand’s website or product. However, informational brand queries (e.g., “What is the best feature of [Brand X] smartphones?”) can still trigger AI Overviews, influencing consumer perception before they reach a purchase decision.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Overviews are more common in non-brand searches, suggesting they influence early-stage research and discovery.
• Brands should optimise their informational content to appear in AIOs when users are researching their industry.
• AI Overviews may delay purchases by offering additional research opportunities.

Impact on Organic Search Visibility

One of the most significant impacts of AI Overviews is their influence on organic search visibility. When an AI Overview appears, it takes up prime real estate on the search results page, pushing traditional organic listings further down.

• On desktop: Expanding the AI Overview shifts the organic results down by approximately 220 pixels.
• On mobile: The first one or two organic results may be visible before scrolling, reducing click-through rates (CTR) for lower-ranked pages.

This change presents a challenge for SEO professionals as AI Overviews effectively replace the need for users to click on traditional search results.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Overviews reduce the visibility of traditional search results.
• On mobile, only one or two organic listings appear before scrolling.
• SEO strategies must evolve to optimise for AI Overview inclusion while maintaining organic ranking.

The Relationship Between AI Overviews & Traditional Rankings

Do High-Ranking Pages Appear in AI Overviews?

While high-ranking pages are more likely to be included in AI Overviews, it is not a guaranteed correlation:

• 50% of top-ranking pages appeared in AI Overviews.
• Some pages outside the top 10 rankings were still included.

Featured Snippets & AI Overviews

There is a strong relationship between Featured Snippets and AI Overviews:

• If a page has a Featured Snippet, there is a 60% chance it will also be cited in an AI Overview.

This suggests that optimising for Featured Snippets can improve the likelihood of appearing in AI Overviews.

Key Takeaways:

• High rankings improve AI Overview chances, but are not required.
• Featured Snippets have a strong overlap with AI Overviews.
• Optimising for Featured Snippets can enhance AI Overview inclusion.

Trust & YMYL Topics: Who Gets Included in AI Overviews?

Google prioritises reliable and authoritative sources for AI Overviews, particularly in Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) industries, such as finance and healthcare.

• Websites with established credibility (e.g., government sites, research institutions, reputable publishers) are frequently cited.
• User-generated content platforms like Reddit and Quora are rarely included, even if they rank highly in organic results.

This aligns with Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles, ensuring that AI Overviews provide accurate and reliable information.

Key Takeaways:

• AI Overviews favour authoritative sources, especially in finance and healthcare.
• Reddit, Quora, and user-generated content sites are rarely included.
• Building authority through E-E-A-T principles increases AIO inclusion chances.

Conclusion: How to Adapt SEO Strategies for AI Overviews

AI Overviews are shaping the future of search, influencing both visibility and user engagement. While still in their early stages, their presence will likely expand as Google’s AI capabilities evolve.

SEO & Content Strategy Recommendations:

1. Target Mid-Volume Keywords: AI Overviews appear frequently in searches with 501–2,400 monthly searches.
2. Focus on Problem-Solving Content: Since 74% of problem-solving queries trigger AI Overviews, content should prioritise answering specific questions.
3. Optimise for Featured Snippets: Since Featured Snippets have a 60% chance of inclusion, obtaining them improves AI Overview visibility.
4. Build Authority with E-E-A-T: Trustworthy, well-researched content increases chances of AI Overview inclusion.
5. Monitor Search Visibility Trends: AI Overviews will continue evolving—staying informed ensures long-term SEO success.

By understanding where AI Overviews appear and optimising accordingly, businesses can stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of Google Search.