What Does AI Overview Mean? & How It Impacts Your Business

If you’re a daily Google search engine user, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the new update. The Gemini AI icon spins, searches, then writes, presenting a precise answer to your question along with links to other results and articles on Google. This is Google’s AI Overview feature, a significant development in how search results are presented.

The critical question now is: how will this major update affect website owners? Many are apprehensive, watching and waiting. This update isn’t merely technical; it’s a strategic shift poised to reshape the digital landscape. Understanding the impact of this latest Google update is crucial for businesses.

In this article, we delve into this significant update: What does AI Overview mean? How will it impact websites and traffic? What has already transpired in the United States (US) a full year after its launch there? And now, following its rollout in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), what can we expect?

AI Overviews Reduce Clicks by 34.5% – Ahrefs blog

Understanding the Basics: What ARE Google AI Overviews?

Essentially, Google AI Overviews are intelligent summaries, generated by Artificial Intelligence, that appear at the top of the search engine results page (SERP). Google provides a customised, direct, and concise answer to your query.

This is a departure from the traditional list of links. These AI Overviews aim to provide direct answers swiftly. Furthermore, these overviews also contain links, allowing users to navigate to the information sources (websites).

It’s worth noting that, depending on the search intent, AI Overviews currently appear in three main types:

Informational AI Overviews

These appear when a user searches for specific information, such as: “What is the exact area of the Dead Sea?”

Shopping AI Overviews

These are displayed when a user searches for a store to buy products, for example: “Buy luxurious and elegant men’s perfume in Saudi Arabia.”

Local AI Overviews

These surface when a user searches for local information, like: “Best restaurant serving healthy food in Amman.”

Visual Examples: What do “AI Overviews” look like in search results?

AI Overviews are not presented in a single, fixed template. You might encounter them as narrative text answering a “how-to” question, a comparison list between products, or even a summary of local recommendations. This variety reflects the AI’s capability to understand search context and present the answer in the most suitable format. The AI Overviews appearance can vary, displaying text, bullet points, or thumbnail images of sources. For example:

The Timeline & Mechanism: When Did AI Overviews Launch and How Do They Work?

When Did AI Overviews Launch?

AI Overviews did not appear fully formed. They began as an experimental concept within Google Labs under the name SGE (Search Generative Experience).

Following months of testing and development, Google officially announced the launch of AI Overviews in April 2024, initially for users in the United States only.

This year, in May 2025, the feature was rolled out to numerous other regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

How are “AI Overviews” generated?

How does Google generate these intelligent summaries? The process relies on advanced Gemini models. When a user poses a question, the system (utilising technologies like Query Fan-Out):

• Breaks down the complex query into smaller, manageable parts.
• Searches for these parts across multiple, reliable sources (adhering to E-E-A-T criteria).
• Compiles and analyses this gathered information.
• Based on this analysis, it writes a summary attempting to provide a coherent, comprehensive, and accurate answer.

All of this occurs in fractions of a second.

Understanding these new mechanisms might seem daunting, but Comma is here to assist. We help you grasp these changes and complexities, translating them into effective content and SEO strategies to ensure you stay ahead. Explore our services here.

The Big Question for Businesses: What’s the Impact of AI Overviews?

Following the launch of AI Overviews in the United States last year (2024), a wide-ranging debate emerged regarding their impact on website visits.

• On one hand, Google asserts that links within AI Overviews might receive higher click-through rates than traditional links. It could also present an opportunity for new websites and sources to gain visibility, which might have been challenging previously amidst fierce competition. This could potentially improve search visibility for some.
• On the other hand, some studies indicate a potential significant decrease in click-through rates (CTR) for traditional organic results. This is because users may find their answers directly in the summary, reducing the need to click on links. One such study by Ahrefs stated:

We analysed 300,000 keywords and found that the presence of an AI Overview in the search results correlated with a 34.5% lower average clickthrough rate (CTR) for the top-ranking page… – Ahrefs Blog

A Personal Perspective:

The truth likely lies somewhere in between.

This AI Overviews update is primarily a significant evolution for the user experience. Not long ago, a pertinent question was: will people even continue to use the Google search engine to find information?

Perhaps Google recognised an emerging reality: the traditional process of searching for information in search engines is, sooner or later, set to become outdated and cumbersome. Indeed, user expectations from the internet are now much higher, driven by the proliferation of conversational AI models like ChatGPT, Deep Seek, and Grok.

• While the AI Overviews update may, in the short term, be unsettling and cause some traffic losses for websites heavily reliant on organic visits,
• In the long term, it might just save the Google search engine from obsolescence! It could potentially increase website traffic by embedding links within summaries, rather than providing information detached from sources, as seen in some AI chat models.

This brings us to a critical question for all website owners reliant on SEO: How to rank in AI Overviews? And how to optimise for AI Overviews? This is the focus of our next section.

Adapting to AI Overviews: Key Early Strategies for Businesses

The cornerstone of optimising for AI Overviews is high-quality content focused on meeting user needs effectively. This brings us back to fundamental principles that have not only remained important but have become even more crucial. Echoing the conditions and rules discussed in our previous article, “Will AI Rewrite SEO Standards? Your Guide to 2025 and Beyond“, here are key criteria demanding increased attention:

E-E-A-T Principles

The E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) are no longer mere recommendations for increasing opportunities; they are an absolute necessity to remain competitive. AI actively seeks reliable and in-depth answers, and your content is your opportunity to be that trusted source.

This is particularly relevant as users remain somewhat sceptical about AI-generated information. Evidence of this emerged during our keyword research for this article: many queries questioned the credibility of these summary results.

Keywords such as “are ai overviews accurate”, “how to remove ai overview from google”, “how to turn off ai overview on google”, and “why is google ai overview so bad” demonstrated surprisingly high search volumes. Here are some examples:

Such searches clearly indicate the importance of high Trustworthiness and the aforementioned E-E-A-T criteria. Google must continue to strive to meet user expectations regarding the reliability of information presented in AI Overviews.

Structuring Content for AI Readability

Consider AI as an intelligent reader that, nonetheless, prefers clarity. For AI to “understand” and cite your content, it must be well-organised and easy to parse. To achieve this:

• Employ a clear content structure using H2, H3, H4… headings.
• Utilise a Question & Answer (Q&A) format where appropriate.
• Break down complex information into bulleted or numbered lists.
• Use precise and direct language.

In essence, make your content easily digestible for AI. Comma’s SEO team ensures that every piece of content we produce is not only engaging for users but also optimally structured for processing and understanding by AI algorithms. Our content strategies prioritise E-E-A-T.

Importance of Technical SEO

Is excellent, high-quality content alone sufficient to appear in AI Overviews? Does this signal an end to technical complexities?

Not at all. AI initially relies on structured data (Schema) to read and comprehend your content. You still need to address all technical SEO factors, perhaps even more diligently than before.

Previously, you dealt directly with humans (who might overlook minor technical flaws for good content); now, you are increasingly interacting with robots, which prioritise technical language. This includes schema for AI Overviews and general technical SEO for AI.

Therefore, ensure optimal site speed, mobile-friendliness, correct structured data implementation (like FAQ Schema and Article Schema), and good Core Web Vitals scores.

Comma offers comprehensive technical SEO audits and implementation, which can also benefit website design.

Monitoring and Adapting

The realm of AI Overviews is still in its nascent stages. This implies that changes and updates will be frequent and continuous. What proves effective today might require adjustment tomorrow.

Consequently, close monitoring of your content’s performance, website analytics, and SERP changes is vital and demands ongoing attention. You need to track AI Overview performance.

In this dynamic environment, a vigilant partner is essential. Comma’s SEO specialists do more than just devise strategies; they also provide continuous SEO monitoring services with necessary strategic adjustments, ensuring you remain at the forefront and adapt to the latest developments.

Click here to view SEO services on our website. 

AI Overviews in MENA: What Local Businesses Need to Consider

Now that this significant shift has reached our region, how should businesses respond? How can we ensure our current content and SEO strategies align with the demands of this new search landscape? Here are key criteria to focus on, particularly concerning AI Overviews in the MENA region, while considering MENA digital marketing trends, local SEO for AI Overviews, and content localisation for MENA region:

Focus on Local SEO and Localised Content

For businesses targeting local customers, the AI Overviews update can be very positive news. This is because one of the three primary types of AI Overviews is Local AI Overviews. To enhance your chances of appearing in them, consider these recommendations:

• Ensure your business information on Google Business Profile is consistently up-to-date and accurate.
• Ensure your content reflects a deep understanding of the local market and its specific needs.
• If your business has a physical presence, maintain a strong profile on Google Maps, supported by accurate descriptions, numerous photos, and robust customer reviews.
• Active and engaging social media pages on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can also increase your visibility.

Comma specialises in Local SEO for Jordanian and MENA businesses, ensuring strong local signals and relevant local content.

Opportunity for Regional Expertise

Your regional expertise is a significant competitive advantage. AI aims to provide the best possible answer to the user, and for local information, it will likely favour local content creators. Therefore, ensure you:

• Provide authentic content in the language (and even dialect) your customers understand.
• Address local challenges and offer innovative solutions specific to your regional markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Google AI Overviews

Here are answers to some common AI Overview questions:

How to optimise for AI Overviews? / How to rank in AI Overviews?

Focus on high-quality content adhering to E-E-A-T principles, provide direct answers, ensure clear structure, implement structured data, and optimise fundamental SEO techniques for your site.

What are AI Overviews on Google? / What does AI Overview mean?

They are intelligent summaries created by Google’s AI (Gemini) that appear at the top of search results to provide quick and comprehensive answers.

How to get AI Overview on Google?

Their appearance depends on Google’s assessment of your query type. You may notice them when searching for complex or informational questions in regions where the feature has been activated.

Can I turn off AI Overviews for my searches?

Currently, Google does not offer a direct option for users to permanently disable AI Overviews for all searches. However, for some queries, a “Web” filter might appear, allowing users to view only traditional web links. This functionality is still evolving.

Is the information in AI Overviews always accurate?

Google is continuously working to improve the accuracy of AI Overviews. However, like any AI-generated content, inaccuracies or misinterpretations can occasionally occur. It is always advisable to cross-reference information with the original sources, especially for critical matters.

How does Ai Overviews affect my website’s SEO?

AI Overviews can impact website SEO by potentially reducing clicks to traditional organic listings if users obtain their answers directly from the overview. However, it also presents new opportunities for visibility if your content is cited within the AI Overview. Adapting your content strategy to be E-E-A-T focused, well-structured, and answer-oriented is crucial.

For a deeper understanding of how these changes impact your strategy, explore our SEO services in Jordan and the MENA region.

When did AI Overviews launch?

Google officially began rolling them out more broadly in the United States in April 2024. They were subsequently launched in other regions, such as the MENA region, in May 2025.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the significance of Google AI Overviews cannot be overstated. They are not merely a new feature; they represent a fundamental change and a clear indication of the future of search, which is increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence. Adapting to AI is key.

This article has reviewed what AI Overviews are, how they function, their potential impacts, and initial strategies for adaptation. The most important takeaway now is the need for deep understanding and proactive preparation.

Your future in the evolving digital landscape starts today! Companies that embrace a thorough understanding of ongoing AI updates like AI Overviews, and swiftly adapt to their requirements, are those best positioned to lead tomorrow.

Do not wait until changes become an imposed reality; be an active part of this transformation.

Adapting to these changes might seem like a daunting task, but you are not alone! At Comma, we immerse ourselves in these developments and are ready to be your strategic partner on this journey, turning challenges into tangible growth opportunities.

Contact us today and let Comma’s experts guide you on your next step! An SEO strategy consultation can make all the difference.

References

1. Google Blog. (May 14, 2024). “Generative AI in Search: Let Google do the searching for you.”

2. Search Engine Land. (December 18, 2024). “Google AI Overviews: Everything you need to know.”

3. Moz. (April 4, 2025). “Optimising for AI Overviews — Whiteboard Friday.”

4. Google Support. “Find information in faster & easier ways with AI Overviews in Google Search.”

5. Search Engine Land. (May 7, 2025). “What to do when AI Overviews take the spotlight in search.”

6. Ahrefs Blog. (April 17, 2025). “AI Overviews Reduce Clicks by 34.5%”

7. Google Blog. (May 20, 2025). “AI in Search: Going beyond information to intelligence”