Adaptation of the SEO strategies for AI Overviews: A comprehensive guide for the new era of Google search

Search Generative Experience 2.0: The end of the classic search results?

With the introduction of Google's Ai Overviews, the search landscape has changed fundamentally and requires strategic realignment of search engine optimization. These AI-generated answer boxes, which have also been available in Germany since March 2025, appear above the traditional search results and offer users direct answers to complex searches. The new AI overviews are based on a further development of the Search Generative Experience (SGE) and use advanced AI models such as Gemini to extract and summarize relevant information from the entire web. Studies show that AI overViews already appear in over 6% of all search queries, with informational search queries most often affected. For SEO experts, this means a fundamental shift: In the future, visibility will not only depend on classic rankings, but also on the presence in these AI generated summaries.

Suitable for:

• Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) and AI Overviews: The development of AI-based search

Basics and functionality of AI Overviews

AI overviews are AI generated summaries of search queries that appear as compact answer boxes over the organic search results. This function uses Google's advanced Gemini-Ki models and integrates information from various sources to provide precise answers to complex or multi-part questions. The AI ​​overviews can be displayed in various formats, including body text, lists, tables or even with integrated images and videos.

The technology differs fundamentally from conventional featured snippets, since it not only quotes a single source, but also synthesized information from several trusted websites. Google's goal is to accelerate the search process and offer users a comprehensive answer without having to search several websites. Especially for complex searches such as “Best cities for tech startups with low living costs in the USA”, AI overviews can take several aspects into account at the same time and provide a coherent answer.

Ai overviews are played algorithmically based on Google's assessment of when generative AI can be particularly helpful. Research shows that informational search queries trigger AI overviews much more often than transactional or navigational search queries. This makes optimization for informational content a critical success factor for modern SEO strategies.

Effects on traditional search engine optimization

The introduction of AI Overviews has far-reaching consequences for the traditional SEO landscape and is fundamentally changing how users interact with search results. Organic search results are clearly moved down by AI overviews, which leads to a reduction in visibility by more than 140% for websites outside of top 3 positions. This shift increases the importance of top rankings, since only the best positions have a chance to be quoted in the AI ​​overviews.

An important aspect is the potential reduction of website traffic through so-called zero-click searches. Users often receive the desired information in the AI ​​Overview and no longer have to click on a website. Paradoxically, however, many companies report that despite falling traffic numbers, the quality of visitors and thus the conversion rates increase. This indicates that AI overviews generate less, but in terms of qualitatively better traffic.

The monetization of AI Overviews presents Google with new challenges because the higher computing effort increases the costs compared to classic search results. At the same time, publisher and content manufacturers have to adapt their strategies to generate relevant traffic. However, Google emphasizes that websites that are cited in AI overviews often receive more clicks than with traditional search results for the same request.

Optimization for high -quality and comprehensive content

The creation of high -quality, comprehensive content forms the foundation for successful optimization on AI overviews. Google prefers content that correspond to the EEAT principle (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, trusting) and provide precise, trustworthy information. Websites must therefore invest in high -quality content that are not only informative, but also unique and regularly updated.

Sondery and structured answers are crucial for admission to AI overviews. Contents should place important information in the first paragraphs and offer clear, direct answers to frequently asked questions. The use of sub-headings, lists and structured formats increases the likelihood that AI algorithms can effectively process the content and integrate them into overviews.

Content creation must be based on natural language and conversational search queries. Companies should move away from the “insider jargon” to understandable, explanatory language, which conveys both the implementation steps and the strategic considerations behind solutions. This also means that W questions (who, what, when, where, why, why, how) have to be systematically taken into account in the content strategy, since AI overviews are often played out during such questions.

Suitable for:

• Bing generative search: 1. Screenshots of a AI summary from Germany-current developments and meaning

Strategies for featured snippets and their integration

Despite the introduction of AI overviews, featured snippets remain an important component of the SEO strategy, since they often serve as the basis for AI overviews. The optimization for featured snippets requires precise structuring of the content with clear headings, which are formulated as questions and enriched with relevant keywords. Answers should be formulated in 2-4 sentences and provide a direct, understandable answer to the question asked.

The technical implementation of featured snippet optimization includes the use of H2, H3 or H4 headings that are formulated as questions and contain the target keyword. For example, a heading like "What is content marketing?" be used, followed by a concise definition. This structure helps Google to understand the content and to assess it as a potential snippet.

Different types of featured snippets require different optimization approaches. Text-snippets benefit from clear definitions and explanations, while list snippets prefer structured list or step-by-step instructions. Table snippets are suitable for comparisons and structured data, while video sips highlight multimedia content. The identification of low-hanging fruits by the Google Search Console can help optimize already well-ranking content for featured snippets.

AI & XR 3D Rendering Machine: Fivefold expertise from Xpert.Digital in a comprehensive service package, R&D XR, PR & SEM - Image: Xpert.Digital

Xpert.Digital has in-depth knowledge of various industries. This allows us to develop tailor-made strategies that are tailored precisely to the requirements and challenges of your specific market segment. By continually analyzing market trends and following industry developments, we can act with foresight and offer innovative solutions. Through the combination of experience and knowledge, we generate added value and give our customers a decisive competitive advantage.

More about it here:

• Use the 5x expertise of Xpert.Digital in one package - starting at just €500/month

Knowledge panel optimization as SEO lever

Knowledge Panels represent an important addition to the AI ​​Overview strategy and offer companies the opportunity to strengthen their digital presence. An optimized know -leather panel acts as a digital business card and can significantly increase the credibility, brand perception and organic visibility. The optimization begins with the creation of a strong identity hub that acts as a central source for Google and bundles all relevant information about a person or a company.

The identity hub should contain complete names or brand names, clear descriptions of the activity and consistent links to official social media profiles. Consistence Across All online platforms is crucial because Google evaluates contradictions in the information negatively. Companies should use the same description and core information on their website, on social media and other online presences.

The technical optimization includes the implementation of structured data with Scheme.org-Markup in order to send Google clear signals about the identity and properties of the company. Regular care and monitoring of the knowledge panel are essential because Google can make changes at any time. Companies should set up Google Alerts to be informed about new mentions and keep control of their online reputation.

Suitable for:

• Google Dominance ADE? Brands in the Ki-Search World: Findings from OMR 2025

Technical SEO adjustments and structured data

The technical implementation of structured data is even more critical of SEO success in the AI ​​Overviews era. Scheme.org-Markup helps search engines to better understand the context and the meaning of content, which increases the likelihood of being included in AI overviews. The FAQ scheme, how-to-scheme and local business markets that directly provide the type of information that AI overviews often present are particularly relevant.

The implementation of FAQ scheme enables websites to mark structured question-answer pairs that are ideal for AI overviews. How-to-scheme is particularly valuable for instructions and step-by-step processes that are often featured in AI overviews. Localbusiness scheme is important for local companies that want to appear in location-related AI Overviews.

The technical performance of the website remains an important ranking factor that indirectly influences the inclusion in AI overviews. Fast loading times, mobile optimization and good Core Web Vitals performance are the prerequisites for content to be considered for AI overviews at all. The Google Search Console should be used to quickly index new content and ensure that structured data is implemented correctly.

Content strategies for AI-based search

The development of an effective content strategy for AI overviews requires a deep understanding of the user dation and the type of questions that trigger AI answers. Content must not only be informative, but also meet the specific search intention of the users and use a natural, conversational language. This means a departure from keyword-focused content towards themed and intent-based content.

The creation of content should be based on the principle of “Topic Authority”, in which websites build extensive expertise on specific subject areas. Instead of creating many superficial articles on various topics, companies should develop profound, authoritative content on their core competencies. This strategy increases the likelihood that Google sees the website as a trustworthy source for AI Overviews.

Gaining multimedia content in the AI ​​Overview era because you can convey complex information more effectively. Videos, infographics and interactive elements can increase user engagement and increase the likelihood that content will be featured in AI overviews. At the same time, all content formats for AI processing must be optimized, which means that multimedia content must also be equipped with corresponding metadata and structured data.

Monitoring and measurement of success in the new SEO landscape

The monitoring of AI Overviews requires new metrics and tools, since traditional SEO-KPIs are no longer sufficient to measure success in AI-supported search. Sistrix has been offering tracking functions for AI overviews since the German rollout, which enable the presence in AI answers systematically. These tools are essential to understand which keywords ai overviews trigger and how your own visibility develops.

The click-through rate (CTR) must be considered in a new context, since AI overviews change the traditional CTR benchmarks. Websites have to learn to distinguish between qualified and unqualified clicks, since AI overviews often lead to fewer but more valuable website visits. Tools such as the Google Search Console should be used to analyze traffic patterns and to understand which content performs in both traditional search results and in AI overviews.

Continuous content auditing becomes crucial to ensure that content remains optimized for AI overviews. Companies should carry out regular reviews of their top performances and adapt them to new AI overview knowledge based on new AI overview. Monitoring should also include the observation of competitors in order to understand which content strategies are successful in their own industry and which optimization approaches can be adopted.

Suitable for:

• Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): The next stage for SEO strategists

SEO in change: master the future with AI overviews

The introduction of Google Ai Overviews marks a turning point in search engine optimization and requires a fundamental realignment of traditional SEO strategies. Companies that want to be successful in the new AI-based search landscape must shift their focus of pure ranking optimizations towards high-quality, user-centered content. The optimization for AI overviews is not a separate discipline, but an evolution of existing SEO-best practice that focuses on quality, relevance and technical excellence.

The future of the SEO will become more data -driven and dynamic, since AI overviews are continuously evolving and bringing new challenges. Companies have to invest in robust monitoring systems and develop agile content strategies that can quickly react to changes in AI search. At the same time, AI Overviews also offer new opportunities for visibility and brand positioning, especially for companies that are willing to invest content content in authoritative, content.

In the long term, success in the AI-based search will depend on how well companies can master the balance between technical optimization and real user value acquisition. The integration of AI overviews into the SEO strategy should be seen as an investment in the future of digital visibility, which goes beyond the traditional limits of search engine optimization and requires a holistic content and digital marketing strategy.

☑️ SME support in strategy, consulting, planning and implementation

☑️ Creation or realignment of the digital strategy and digitalization

☑️ Expansion and optimization of international sales processes

☑️ Global & Digital B2B trading platforms

☑️ Pioneer Business Development

Konrad Wolfenstein

I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) .

I'm looking forward to our joint project.

Xpert.Digital is a hub for industry with a focus on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics and photovoltaics.

With our 360° business development solution, we support well-known companies from new business to after sales.

Market intelligence, smarketing, marketing automation, content development, PR, mail campaigns, personalized social media and lead nurturing are part of our digital tools.

You can find out more at: www.xpert.digital - www.xpert.solar - www.xpert.plus