What are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are Google's AI-generated summaries within Search, with links that let readers explore related sources. They appear for some queries, rather than every search.
For a complex question, a searcher may see a synthesized explanation before opening an individual website. The summary is one component of the results page, alongside other search features.
A source link is different from a visit
If a site appears among an Overview's links, that establishes its presence in the observed display. It does not establish a click, a completed booking or a sale. Each later action needs its own measurement.
Google's guidance says these AI features use established SEO foundations and do not require special new markup. Eligibility also does not guarantee appearance.
When comparing performance, retain the query and the observed layout. Read CTR alongside impressions and actual site outcomes. Avoid treating one appearance as evidence of a stable AI position.
Sources and scope
Source-language entry updated 2026-10-22; no separate source-check date is recorded. This adaptation preserves that provenance and does not represent a new audit of the cited pages.