Why traditional SEO isn’t enough—and what to do instead
SEO is evolving—and fast. If you’ve been relying on keyword rankings alone to drive traffic, it’s time for a reality check. Google’s AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE) are reshaping how search results appear—and how people interact with them.
Instead of showing a simple list of blue links, Google now often displays AI-generated summaries that directly answer user queries. These summaries cite websites as sources—and if your content is one of them, it can bring huge visibility and trust to your brand.
But if you're not mentioned in these AI Overviews? You may see traffic drop even if you're still ranking on page one.
So, how do you make sure Google’s AI quotes you?
Let’s dive into the new SEO frontier: getting cited by Google’s AI.
What Are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are smart, AI-generated responses shown at the top of Google search results. They aim to quickly provide users with a summarized answer by pulling information from various websites. Think of it as Google’s AI acting like a well-read assistant, scanning the web and giving you a clear, quick response.
These overviews often include citations—links to the sources that fed the answer. Getting cited here is a big deal because users are more likely to trust and visit content that Google’s AI has deemed useful and authoritative.
Why Getting Cited Matters More Than Ever
Click-through rates (CTR) are dropping across the board due to zero-click searches and AI summaries. In some cases, users find the answer they need right in the overview and never scroll further.
That means the battle has shifted. It’s not just about ranking anymore—it’s about being the source Google’s AI turns to.
7 Ways to Get Your Content Cited in Google’s AI Overviews
1. Create Clear, Authoritative, Evidence-Based Content
Google’s AI is designed to quote reliable, easy-to-understand information. To become a trusted source:
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Write with clarity and purpose.
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Support claims with statistics, research, or real-world examples.
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Focus on accuracy and helpfulness, not just word count.
Your content should aim to educate, not just rank.
2. Answer Questions Directly Using Natural Language
Google’s AI is trained on conversational content, so structure your posts to answer questions users are actually asking.
Use headers like:
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“What is [topic]?”
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“How does [topic] work?”
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“Top 5 ways to…”
Follow up with clear, concise answers, ideally in the first 2–3 sentences. Think like a journalist or teacher—give the takeaway first, then elaborate.
3. Focus on Semantic SEO and Search Intent
Forget about stuffing exact-match keywords. Instead, focus on semantic SEO—writing content that matches the intent behind a user’s query.
Use tools like:
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Answer the Public
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AlsoAsked
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Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ box
These help you understand the actual questions people are searching for—then you can structure your content to answer them.
4. Put the Answer First, Then Add Context
Don’t bury your best content deep in a blog post. Put your answer at the top of the section or right after a header, then expand with details below.
This helps Google’s AI quickly extract the relevant snippet while giving curious readers more context if they keep reading.
5. Build E-E-A-T into Every Page
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—and Google leans heavily on it when choosing which sources to cite.
Ways to boost E-E-A-T:
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Include author bios with real credentials.
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Link out to credible references.
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Show reviews, case studies, or testimonials.
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Use HTTPS, clean design, and clear contact information.
In short: make your site feel real, safe, and trustworthy.
6. Become a Niche Authority
You don’t need to be the biggest site to get cited—you just need to be the best in your niche.
Choose a topic you can own and go deep. Publish multiple high-quality posts around that subject. Over time, Google’s AI will start to recognize your domain as an expert source.
Examples:
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Instead of “general fitness,” try “home workouts for busy parents.”
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Instead of “marketing,” go for “email funnels for online coaches.”
Specialize to stand out.
7. Use Clean HTML and Structured Data
AI tools (and search engines in general) rely on clean code and structure to understand your content.
Make sure to:
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Use correct heading tags (
<h1>,<h2>, etc.) -
Include bullet points and numbered lists where helpful
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Add Schema markup (like FAQ, How-To, and Article schema) to help Google understand your content type
This technical polish makes it easier for Google to read and quote your content.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Rank—Be the Answer
The SEO game has changed. It’s no longer just about hitting page one—it’s about becoming the trusted source Google’s AI turns to when it wants to answer a question.
By creating content that’s clear, helpful, authoritative, and structured for AI, you’re setting yourself up for the next wave of visibility online.
Want Help Getting AI-Cited?
If you’re ready to boost your AI visibility and stay ahead of the curve, let’s chat. Whether you need content strategy, technical SEO, or AI-focused optimization, we’re here to help.