Maisie Lloyd
I'm passionate about recording the world, but most of all driven by creativity and collaborative environments. My experience revolves around the production of digital content, pertaining to graphic design, writing copy, and video and audio content.
Google have established that the core updates will have an impact on the content displayed in the AI overviews. Google’s Senior Search Analyst John Mueller confirmed in a discussion on LinkedIn.
“These are a part of search, and core updates affect search, so yes.”
Confirming suspicions of marketers, after noting that the sources on AI overviews tend to change when a core algorithm update has taken place.
The History of AI overviews
The AI overview feature was initially launched in the US on May 14th, 2024, and has since been released in the UK and five other countries.
AI overviews are summaries of content from varying sources, which typically focus on differing unique aspects of the topic. This offers an enhanced method of search, by compiling all the sources, providing a clear and concise answer which directly addresses the context of the query.
How are AI Overviews triggered?
It’s suggested that the overviews are triggered by searches that are phrased as a question, posing the question in a way that seeks out specific information. Using complex questions can prompt the generative AI to display AI overviews.
A complex question may include niche search terms, and keywords or include times and locations for the AI to consider.
What impact does the core update have?
Google’s core updates are released multiple times a year and are done to improve the algorithm. Each core update is complex and unique which means the methods and techniques used to adapt the algorithm differs. This is done to ensure quality valuable content is being displayed to searchers.
An example from a previous core update would be in March of 2024, where the previous update aimed to tackle and reduce the spammy content being displayed in the search results.
4 tips for Optimising for AI overviews.
- Relevant content
Produce content that stays on topic, addresses the main argument or conversation, and included any information that would be valuable to the reader.
2. Formatting is super important
Easy to digest content is always going to perform better, have lower drop-off rates, and higher user engagement. Listicles and sub-headings are a copywriter/SEO’s best friend, it allows the audience to skim and take in information in the first instant, before deciding if they want to read more.
3. Keep your content updated
Updating your content is key, keeping it up to date will ensure it’s still relevant to when the content was first produced. Updating content demonstrates to Google and the audience, an ability to produce useful content.
4. Use keyword research
Use keyword research to make sure you’re including all the necessary search terms.
