A Proactive Guide to AI Overviews and the Future of SEO

The conversation around SEO has changed. We're no longer just talking about ranking on a list of blue links; we're talking about appearing in AI-generated summaries that answer questions before a user even has a chance to click. These AI Overviews (AIOs) are here to stay, and for many, that has meant a worrying drop in organic traffic.

But this isn't a time for panic. It's time for a strategic shift. We must evolve our thinking from Search Engine Optimisation to Search Everywhere Optimisation. This means mastering the fundamentals to win in today's search results while proactively experimenting with the tools that will define tomorrow.

The reality of AI overviews and the strategic pivot

First, let's be clear about what we're facing. AIOs are triggered when Google believes it can answer a user's query directly, often by summarising content from high-quality, authoritative websites. The result is the rise of "zero-click queries," where users get their answers without ever visiting a webpage, causing a decline in click-through rates, especially for informational keywords.

This reality demands a pivot in our strategy. The focus must shift away from high-volume, top-of-funnel keywords and move decisively toward intent-driven, navigational, and transactional keywords. When users are ready to take action - to buy, book, or get in touch - they still turn to Google. Our job is to be there when they do.

AIO visibility is still about good SEO

So, how do you appear in these AI Overviews? The million-dollar question has a surprisingly straightforward answer. According to Google, there is no secret formula or special action required. The foundation for appearing in AIOs is, and has always been, sound SEO practice.

Think of the internet as a library and your website as a book. Your title tag is the title on the spine that draws attention. Your headings (H1, H2, etc.) are the chapter titles in the index. The content itself needs to be user-friendly and digestible, broken down with bullet points and FAQs. The better your site is structured, the easier it is for crawlers to read and trust your content.

Think of the internet as a library, and your website as a book. Your title tag is the title on the spine that draws attention. Your headings are the chapter titles in the index.

Crucially, this all ties back to E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Bolstering your expertise with comprehensive team profiles, case studies, and testimonials is no longer just a good idea; it's a critical factor in getting your content recognised and featured.

The CiteMET method

While mastering the fundamentals is essential, we also have to look ahead. This is where we must be proactive and experimental, which brings me to a new concept for AI-driven SEO: the CiteMET method.

CiteMET is about making sure your content is:

• Cited as a source by AI models.

• Memorable in a user's AI conversation history.

• Effective at driving traffic from AI platforms.

• Trackable, so you can measure your AI visibility.

One of the core tactics of this method is the implementation of AI share buttons on your content pages. These buttons allow a user to instantly send your article to an AI tool like ChatGPT with a prompt like "Summarise this for me".

This isn't a gimmick. When a user does this, you are effectively prompting the AI model to read, process, and learn from your content.

LLM.txt file

Another forward-looking tool is the proposed LLM.txt file. While still experimental and not yet an official standard, it’s gaining traction among industry leaders.

Think of it as a curated menu of your website's most valuable content, created specifically for AI models to easily find and digest.

It complements, rather than replaces, your existing robots.txt file. Adopting it now is about thought leadership and future-readiness, not a direct SEO boost today, but it signals to crawlers where your most important information lives.

From search engine to search everywhere

The SEO landscape is expanding beyond the traditional search results page. Success today requires a dual approach: a mastery of SEO fundamentals to ensure visibility in current AIOs, and a proactive, experimental spirit to prepare for the future. By shifting our focus to user intent and embracing the "Search Everywhere" mindset, we can not only survive but thrive in this new era.