Google AI Overviews have fundamentally changed what “ranking #1” means. For a growing list of searches — including many local and service-related queries — the most prominent position on the page is no longer a blue link. It’s inclusion in the AI-generated summary at the very top.
Here’s how to optimize for that position.
Understand What Google AI Overviews Actually Are
Google’s AI Overviews are generated by Google’s Gemini model, which reads multiple web sources, synthesizes the information, and writes a direct response. Sources cited in the response are shown as small linked cards beneath the generated text. The same crawling and indexing process that drives traditional search also feeds AI Overviews — but the selection criteria for what gets cited are different.
Step 1: Identify Which Queries Are Triggering AI Overviews in Your Market
Start by identifying which searches in your industry and location are currently generating AI Overview responses. Open Google and search for: “What is [your service],” “How to choose [your service type] in Grand Rapids,” “Best [your service] for [specific situation],” and “[Your service] vs [alternative].” Note which searches generate AI Overviews and which sources Google is currently citing — this is your competitive intelligence.
Step 2: Structure Your Content Around Direct Answers
The structure that performs best: (1) Opening statement — answer the question in 1–2 sentences, (2) Supporting explanation — 2–3 paragraphs elaborating, (3) Specific details — examples, steps, data, (4) FAQ section — related questions answered concisely. Avoid introductions that delay the answer.
Step 3: Implement FAQPage Schema
FAQPage schema explicitly marks up your Q&A content in a format Google’s systems can parse and evaluate for AI Overviews. Every page with a FAQ section should have FAQPage schema implemented. Validate it using Google’s Rich Results Test before publishing.
Step 4: Build Comprehensive Coverage on Your Core Topics
Google AI Overviews favor sources that demonstrate depth and consistency on a topic. Build topic clusters: a main service or pillar page, supported by blog posts that answer related sub-questions. Link between them. This signals topical authority to both traditional Google and AI Overviews.
Step 5: Strengthen Your E-E-A-T Signals
Named authors with real bios and credentials on every article, author pages that link to external professional profiles, content that demonstrates first-hand experience, reviews and case studies that validate your claims, and third-party mentions in credible publications — all of these improve your AI Overview inclusion chances.
Step 6: Optimize Your Google Business Profile
For local queries, Google AI Overviews pull from Google Business Profile data. Ensure your GBP has complete service descriptions, correct business categories, regular posts, active review responses, updated photos, and accurate NAP.
Step 7: Monitor and Iterate
AI Overview content changes. Monitor your presence monthly — which queries are triggering overviews, what sources are being cited, and whether your content has been included. When a competitor is cited but you aren’t, that’s a content gap to fill.
Related reading: Read how Google AI Overviews are affecting Grand Rapids businesses, get the full signal list in our 17 ways to improve your AI citations, and explore our Google AI Overview Optimization services.
One With Digital helps Grand Rapids businesses build exactly this foundation. Start with an AI Visibility Audit to understand your current position and where the highest-leverage opportunities are.
