[GEO & AEO](/en/lab-categories/geo-aeo)Written on 14/4/2026Modified on 23/4/2026 # What are Google AI Overviews? Definition AI Overviews are Google's AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. They synthesize an average of 5 to 6 different sources. If you're not among them, you're invisible on that query. Table of contents[H2 Exemple](#)Share[ Copié](#)[](#)[](#)[](#)Summarize with AI[](#)[](#)[](#)[](#)Stop thinking about visibility. Build it. Your leads are already searching. The question is: will they find you? [Talk to an expert](/en/contact) ## What AI Overviews are **AI Overviews** are AI-generated summaries powered by **Gemini** that appear at the top of certain Google search results pages (SERPs). They synthesize a response from **5 to 6 different web sources** and display links to those sources directly within the summary. Unlike featured snippets that extract a passage from a single source, AI Overviews **create an original response** by aggregating multiple pieces of content. It's the most visible transformation of Google Search since featured snippets were introduced. ## Where AI Overviews stand in 2026 AI Overviews are no longer experimental. They're now **deployed in over 200 countries** and reach **1.5 billion monthly users**. Key figures: - AI Overviews appear on **50 to 60% of U.S. searches**, and up to **88% of informational queries** - **Organic CTR drops 61%** when an AI Overview is present (Seer Interactive, September 2025) - But brands cited in AI Overviews gain **35% more clicks** - AI Overview traffic converts at **14.2% vs. 2.8%** for traditional organic traffic Google has also launched **AI Mode**, a fully conversational search experience that previews the future of Google Search. ## Why being cited in AI Overviews changes everything What we observe at Vydera: the impact of AI Overviews is **asymmetric**. On simple informational queries, they reduce organic traffic. But on complex or transactional queries, cited sources **benefit from superior visibility and qualified traffic**. The real challenge isn't fighting AI Overviews, it's **being part of them**. A page not cited in the AI Overview loses visibility. A page that is cited gains it, with traffic that converts better. ## How to get cited in AI Overviews Google selects its sources based on criteria similar to featured snippets, with additional requirements: **1. Direct, precise answer.** Content must address the search intent from the opening paragraphs. **2. Clear structure.** Short paragraphs, descriptive headings, lists and tables. AI Overviews favor **easily extractable** content. **3. Domain authority.** **76% of AI Overview citations** come from pages already ranking in Google's top 10. A solid SEO foundation remains the prerequisite. **4. Content freshness.** Regularly updated content with visible dates gets favored. **5. Structured data.** FAQPage, HowTo, DefinedTerm in JSON-LD reinforce extraction signals. ## Sources and references - [Google Search Central, AI Features and Your Website](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ai-features) - [Google Search Central Blog, Top ways to ensure your content performs well in Google’s AI experiences on Search (May 2025)](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2025/05/succeeding-in-ai-search) - [Seer Interactive / Dataslayer, AI Overviews CTR Study (September 2025)](https://www.dataslayer.ai/blog/google-ai-overviews-the-end-of-traditional-ctr-and-how-to-adapt-in-2025) ## Go further AI Overviews are redistributing visibility in Google. At Vydera, we integrate AI Overview optimization into every GEO strategy: **content structuring, structured data, citation tracking**. See our [case studies](/en/case-studies) or explore the [Vydera Lab](/en/lab). - ## Do AI Overviews appear on all queries? No. They appear primarily on **informational queries** (up to 88% of those queries). They're rarer on **commercial and transactional queries**. Google continuously calibrates their deployment based on user satisfaction signals. - ## Can you block your content from appearing in AI Overviews? Technically you can block AI crawlers, but Google indicates that **standard SEO best practices** are sufficient for AI Overviews. There's **no specific tag** to exclude content from AI Overviews while remaining indexed in traditional results. - ## Are AI Overviews killing organic traffic? It's more nuanced. **Organic CTR drops 61%** on queries with AI Overviews. But sources cited in the overview gain **35% more clicks**, and that traffic converts **5x better**. The goal is to be in the overview, not to fight it. - ## What's the difference between AI Overview and AI Mode? **AI Overviews** are generative summaries displayed on top of traditional SERPs. **AI Mode** is a fully conversational search experience announced by Google at I/O 2025, representing the **next evolution of Google Search**. To go further ## Related articles [![GEO / AEO ?](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/69d6632ce1a745225223d0b5/69df975d572bbed527c86064_geo-aeo-definition-2026.jpg)23/2/2026GEO & AEO ## What Is GEO / AEO? Complete Definition 2026 ChatGPT is answering your prospects before they ever click on Google. Here's what that means for your visibility. 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Read article ](/en/lab/aeo-tools-ai-visibility)Associated terms ## Discover other SEO, GEO, or AEO terms [GEO & AEO ### GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing a brand's presence and visibility in AI-generated responses from platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude. Unlike traditional SEO which targets rankings in a list of links, GEO targets direct citation within a synthesized answer. Understand the term ](/en/glossary/geo-generative-engine-optimization)[GEO & AEO ### AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) AEO turns your content into the direct answer for AI. When a user asks ChatGPT, Perplexity, or a voice assistant a question, AEO determines whether your content gets extracted and cited, or a competitor's does. Understand the term ](/en/glossary/aeo-answer-engine-optimization)[SEO ### SERP The SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is the page Google displays in response to a query. In 2026, it has nothing to do with the old "10 blue links": AI Overviews, featured snippets, People Also Ask, and knowledge panels all coexist. Analyzing a SERP before producing content means understanding what Google considers the right answer. And therefore what you need to be. Understand the term ](/en/glossary/serp) ## Subscribe to our newsletter The best SEO & GEO insights every week. No spam, unsubscribe in one click. Thank you! Your subscription has been successfully confirmed.Oops! An error occurred while submitting the form.