What are Google AI Overviews and how to influence them
The AI answers at the top of Google are taking more and more clicks. Here is what they look like, why clicks are dropping, and how to become the cited source.
Google AI Overviews are the AI-generated answers that appear at the top of the results page, above the classic links. Google builds them from several sources and, instead of sending the person to a website, gives them a summary directly, with 2-4 cited links next to the text. In practice, for many searches the first "page" is no longer a list of links but a paragraph written by AI. As a business owner, this forces you to think not only about how you appear in results, but about how you become the source the AI cites.
What an AI Overview looks like
You spot it easily: a block of text at the top of the results, often with an "AI Overview" label or a colored icon, followed by a few source links on the right or below the paragraph. It shows up mainly on questions (what, how, why, how much), on comparisons, and on informational topics. It appears less often on purely transactional searches or on brand names searched directly. For a salon, a clinic, or a local shop, questions like "how long does procedure X take" or "what does service Y involve" are exactly the ground where Google now inserts an AI answer.
Why clicks to the site are dropping
Because the person gets the answer without clicking anymore. The 2026 data confirms the trend. According to a SparkToro study cited by Search Engine Land, in the first months of 2026 about 68% of Google searches ended with no click to any website. When an AI Overview appears, the effect is even sharper: click-through is estimated to drop by nearly 60% for the results underneath. And a field experiment reported by Search Engine Journal showed, causally, a 38% drop in organic clicks on searches where the AI answer appears.
The honest message: you cannot stop the phenomenon and you cannot "trick" Google. But you can arrange things so that when the AI answers, it cites you — and the people who do still click (there are plenty) land on you, not on a competitor.
How to become the cited source in an AI Overview
The good news is that it is not esoteric mechanics. The AI mostly cites pages it considers good in classic search too. According to updated Ahrefs data, roughly 38% of the pages cited in AI Overviews also appear in the top 10 organic results; the rest come from lower positions, so clear, direct content matters, not just the classic ranking. So the foundation stays a well-built site with content that answers the topic. On top of that, a few concrete things raise your chances:
| What you do | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Answer the question in the first 2-3 sentences | The AI extracts short, direct answers from the top of the page |
| H2 headings phrased as questions | They match exactly what the person is searching |
| Numbers and named sources | Content with verifiable data is preferred for citation |
| A real author and visible expertise | E-E-A-T-type signals matter a lot in selection |
| A visible update date | Fresh content is favored on AI surfaces |
In practice, for a small business this means: one page per service, written simply, that directly answers the customer's real question; a short FAQ at the end; and keeping pages up to date. You do not need tricks, you need content worth citing.
What matters more now than the raw click
If fewer people click, the value per visitor goes up. It matters that your site is easy to find locally and that it converts the visitors who do reach you. This is where local SEO comes in — showing up for searches in your area — and the new discipline of being visible in AI answers, which we cover in what is AEO/GEO. Trust matters too: good reviews help you get chosen, and how to get them we explain in how to get Google reviews.
Is it worth investing in this?
It depends where you start. If you do not yet have a solid site, that is priority zero — see why I need a website and how much a website costs. We offer AI optimization (AEO/GEO) from €290, and it makes sense once you have the base: a fast site, a few clear service pages, and content that answers customers' questions. We do not promise you "the number 1 spot on Google" nor guaranteed citation in AI Overviews — no serious provider can promise that. We promise a site that engines and AI can read and cite easily.
Want to see concretely how it would look for your business? We will make you a free demo. Write to us on WhatsApp at wa.me/40750257140 and we will show you on your own case, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly are Google AI Overviews?+
They are short AI-generated answers that appear at the top of Google results, above the links, built from several sources and accompanied by 2-4 cited links. For many questions they replace the classic list of links with a direct summary.
Do clicks really drop because of AI Overviews?+
Yes. According to a SparkToro study cited by Search Engine Land, about 68% of searches ended with no click in the first months of 2026, and an experiment reported by Search Engine Journal showed a 38% drop in organic clicks where the AI answer appears.
How do I become the cited source in an AI Overview?+
Answer the question in the first sentences, use H2 headings as questions, include numbers and named sources, show a real author, and keep the page updated. The base stays a site with clear content; according to updated Ahrefs data only about 38% of cited pages also appear in the classic top 10, so content matters, not just position.
Can you guarantee appearing in AI Overviews?+
No, and no serious provider can guarantee it, just as no one can promise "the number 1 spot on Google". You can only significantly raise your chances with a well-built site and clear content that is easy for AI to read and cite.
How much does AI optimization cost at MPO Web Studio?+
The AEO/GEO optimization service starts from €290. It makes sense once you have a solid base: a fast site, a few clear service pages, and content that answers customers' real questions.
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