How to Get Featured in Google’s AI Overview? Tools and Strategies for 2025
Did You Know?
Google AI Overviews hijack 62% of clicks from traditional search results (SEMrush,
2024).
Source: SEMrush Study, 2024
Think your old-school keyword stuffing will save you? Nope. This is AI-powered search now, and if you’re not optimizing for it, you’re basically SEO roadkill. 🦴
But here’s the fix: This guide cracks the code that how to get featured in Google AI Overview (earlier SGE), and how to turn AI into your organic traffic generator.
So, are you ready to get appear Google AI Overview and future-proof your SEO strategy?
What is Google AI Overview? (And How Did It Evolve from Google SGE?)
Imagine if ChatGPT and Google Search had a baby, and that baby was raised by an army of engineers. That’s AI Overview. Google’s shiny new toy reads all the top articles on a topic, mashes them into a TL;DR summary, and serves it like a buffet sampler. Users get answers without clicking. You? You get… well, either a traffic tsunami or crickets, depending on whether the AI likes your content.
Anatomy of Google AI Overview
From Google SGE to AI Overview: A Drama-Filled Timeline
Google announces Search Generative Experience (SGE)
AI Overviews tested in the main search results
Official launch of Google AI Overview in the US
Rollout to the UK, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil
Source: Ahrefs
Key Point: Google SGE was the experimental phase; Google AI Overview is the official, global rollout.
How Does Google Select Content for AI Overviews? (Spoiler: It’s Picky)
Google’s AI uses a multi-step process to select and synthesize content:
- Query Understanding: Uses large language models (LLMs) to interpret the user’s intent and context.
- Content Gathering: Retrieves relevant documents, web pages, images, and videos.
- Summary Generation: Synthesizes information into a concise, helpful response.
- Source Selection: Prioritizes trustworthy, authoritative, and fresh content, often referencing multiple sources per answer.
Fun Fact:
52% of AI Overview responses were sourced from outside the top 10 organic results. This means that even if you are not ranking in the top 10 on Google, there’s still a chance to appear in Google AI Overviews!
Google AI Overview vs. SERP Rankings: What’s the Difference?
- AI Overviews appear above traditional search results, often before featured snippets.
- SERP Rankings are based on Google’s classic algorithm, ranking pages by relevance and authority.
- Overlap: 52% of sources in AI Overviews also rank in the top 10 organic results, but AI Overviews can pull from outside the top 10, giving smaller sites a chance to shine.
Table: AI Overview vs. SERP Ranking
| Feature | Google AI Overview | Traditional SERP Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Above all, organic results | Below AI Overview |
| Source Diversity | All-in-one SEO + GEO | Multiple, diverse sources |
| Content Type | Summaries, lists, media | Webpage links |
| User Clicks | May reduce organic clicks | Main source of organic traffic |
What is Generative Engine Optimization? (aka Answer Engine Optimization)
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is all about tweaking your content so it stands out in AI-driven searches and responses. Instead of just aiming to get to the top of search results like traditional SEO does, GEO wants to shape how AI models see and create responses related to your content. It’s really about making your stuff more noticeable in the world of AI.
AI Search Platforms
Google’s AI Overview (earlier known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, and Claude.
Real World GEO Implementation
AI-Generated Summaries:
GEO aims to have AI models generate summaries that highlight your content as a source of information.
Citations in AI Responses:
GEO aims to have AI models cite your content in their responses, demonstrating your content’s authority and relevance.
For a more detailed explanation, read our blog on What is Generative Engine Optimization?
How Can I Check if My Brand is Featured in Google AI Overviews?
If you’ve made it this far, it’s likely that you want to understand the impact on your marketing and branding efforts.
The first logical step is to assess the current situation. You need to consider two key things: what your prospective users are asking AI, and what AI is saying about your brand.
For example, if you are a CRM tool designed for real estate consultants, you should monitor AI prompts such as “best CRM tool for real estate consultants” and determine if your product is being recommended among the many tools available in the market.
To determine this, there are many tools in the market. Some are excellent, like ours, while others may not be as effective. The top three tools for monitoring your brand in Google AI Overviews are as follows:
Top #3 Tools to Monitor Your Brand in Google AI Overview in 2025
SUMMARY TABLE
| Tool | Best For | Key Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Monitor | Automatically identifies the most relevant prompts on 5 AI search platforms and provides the best actionable insights and reports. | Real-time AI citation, benchmarking, optimization suggestions, sentiment analysis and competitor analysis | Tiered, free trial avaialble |
| Semrush | All-in-one SEO + GEO | AI Overview tracking, Sensor, Otterly integration | From $99/month/domain |
| Otterly AI | Manual AI search monitoring and limited to only 3 platforms | Brand/link tracking, sentiment, and Semrush integration | From $29/month (for limited prompts) |
AI Monitor is a dedicated platform for tracking your brand’s presence and performance across generative AI search engines. It provides real-time monitoring of how your content and brand are cited in AI-generated answers, including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. AI Monitor offers detailed analytics, competitive benchmarking, and actionable insights to help you optimize your content for maximum AI visibility.
Best for: Brands and agencies that want a specialized, in-depth tool for generative engine optimization and AI search monitoring.
Key features:
- Real-time AI citation tracking
- Brand and competitor benchmarking
- Sentiment and context analysis
- Actionable optimization recommendations
Pricing: Free trial available. Custom-tailored pricing suitable for small startups to Fortune 500 companies.
As the top market leader in SEO, Semrush now presents its users with comprehensive GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) capabilities. The Position Tracking and Sensor tools enable users to monitor site visibility in Google AI Overviews and detect AI search volatility across different industries.
Best for: Businesses seeking an all-in-one SEO and GEO platform with a familiar interface and broad analytics capabilities.
Key features:
- AI Overview tracking in Position Tracking
- Industry-wide AI search volatility via Sensor
- Competitive analysis and keyword research
- Integration with Otterly for advanced AI search monitoring
Pricing: No free trial. Starts at $99/month/domain
The brand monitoring and AI search result optimization solution comes from Otterly.AI, along with its emphasis on this domain. The access to Otterly is seamless because it exists as both a standalone tool and an App Center application within the Semrush platform. This tool improves your AI search visibility by providing historical analysis tracking together with weekly reports, in addition to actionable recommendations.
Best for: Marketers and SEO professionals who want automated, easy-to-use AI search monitoring and optimization.
Key features:
- Brand and link citation tracking across major AI search engines
- Sentiment analysis and brand ranking in AI answers
- Weekly automated reports and historical data
- Seamless integration with Semrush for unified reporting
Pricing: Starts at $29/month (for limited search prompts)
Pro Tips:
- Set up keyword alerts for changes in AI Overview presence.
- Monitor traffic patterns for sudden changes that may indicate AI Overview inclusion.
To explore more tools, you can check out our recent blog on Top 10 generative engine optimization tools
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Roadkill
The previously named Google SGE now operates as Google AI Overview and reinvents how search engine optimization functions. Your website stands to succeed through 2025 and future years by grasping its operational aspects and applying smart GEO methods together with latest data to implement optimized SEO approaches. The future of search presents itself through Google AI Overview, while you must focus on fresh content delivery of unique value.
Your 2025 SEO Checklist:
- Rewrite old posts like you’re giving them a TED Talk.
- Structure content for skimmers and AI nerds.
- Embrace GEO like it’s your new gym membership (and actually use it).
- And hey, if all else fails? Start a conspiracy theory that AI Overview is powered by lizard people. At least it’ll go viral on Reddit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You Monitoring Your Brand Online?
Try Our FREE AI Brand Monitor!
- Instantly audit your brand’s online presence & sentiment.
- See how visible you are compared to your competitors.
- Discover where you’re winning — and where you’re not.
