In a move set to reshape the search landscape, Google is rolling out its highly anticipated AI Overviews feature in Australia, with New Zealand expected to follow closely behind.

Starting in the coming days and rolling out over several weeks, a small percentage of Australian searches will begin displaying these AI-driven summaries at the top of Google’s search results. But what does this mean for your business, and how can you ensure you’re prepared?

Let’s dive into the details.

What are AI Overviews?

AI Overviews integrate generative AI with Google’s core search ranking systems, delivering more detailed and relevant results for search queries. This new feature offers searchers not only a summary of the information they’re after but also link cards to various sources, helping them dig deeper into the topic from the very first result.

These overviews take prime position at the top of the search results page, above both organic listings and paid ads—though it’s expected ads will soon be included. Sites that appear in AI Overviews will enjoy the highest visibility, making this a key spot in Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs).

As with all SERP features, the goal of AI Overviews is to serve users the most helpful content quickly and reliably. Based on its debut in the US, AI Overviews are proving especially useful for complex queries that typically require multiple searches. This feature simplifies the process, providing a comprehensive answer at a glance while offering links to more resources for those looking to explore further.

The Impact of AI Overviews on Organic Traffic

When AI Overviews first launched, many in the SEO community were concerned about a potential drop in search traffic, as the feature’s ability to answer complex queries could reduce the need for users to click through to a website. Early reports confirmed these concerns, with some websites seeing a dip in organic traffic.

However, for businesses in knowledge-intensive industries like healthcare (where 63% of US queries now trigger AI Overviews) and B2B tech (with 32% of keywords in the US showing AI Overviews), this feature can be an opportunity rather than a threat. By addressing complex, multi-faceted queries, AI Overviews are helping searchers find the answers they need more efficiently, and in many cases, these users are clicking through to trusted, authoritative sources .

A few months down the track, Google has reported that sites featured in AI Overviews for complex queries are now seeing more diverse traffic sources. Users are engaging more deeply with content and spending more time on the websites they visit. This trend is backed up by reports from SEO firms like Siege Media, showing an increase in traffic, impressions, and click-through rates (CTR) after the launch of AI Overviews.

How to Prepare: Focus on What Works

Check out our recent blog post on this topic: How to Optimise for AI Answer Engines.

With AI Overviews rolling out in Australia and New Zealand likely next, businesses must stay ahead of the curve. But how? Here are the key areas to focus on:

1. Optimise for AI-Driven Features

AI Overviews demand more than just traditional SEO. Structuring content properly and using structured data are now critical for increasing your chances of appearing in these coveted spots. Implement schema markup for FAQs, how-to content, and product information to ensure your content is well-positioned .

2. Diversify Your Content

Generative AI features tend to favour content that answers specific, nuanced questions. For example, queries involving “what is” and “how to” have seen a significant uptick in AI Overview presence . Now more than ever, businesses need to focus on creating diverse content formats—whether it’s detailed guides, videos, or infographics. Diversified content offers more entry points for AI Overviews and other SERP features.

3. Enhance User Experience (UX)

A seamless user experience is vital. In case studies from SGE’s rollout, businesses that improved their site speed, mobile responsiveness, and navigation recovered faster from any traffic declines. UX is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s critical to SEO success, especially with AI Overviews taking centre stage .

4. Track Performance and Iterate

The importance of continuous monitoring can’t be overstated. Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track changes in traffic, keyword performance, and user engagement. AI Overviews and other features are still evolving, so staying agile and making data-driven decisions will help you navigate this new landscape effectively.

For more on how to optimise for AI-driven search features like AI Overviews, check out our recent blog post: How to Optimise for AI Answer Engines: Focus on the 5% That Works.

AI Overviews and Sensitive Topics

For sensitive subjects like health and finance, which Google categorises as “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) topics, websites are being held to even higher standards. AI Overviews are increasingly citing authoritative sources in these fields, so E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) remains essential. Aligning your content with trusted partners and sources will boost credibility .

Recovery from Traffic Loss: Case Studies and Insights

A key takeaway from Google’s SGE launch was that recovery is possible—if you adapt. Businesses that focused on long-tail keywords, used FAQ schema, and prioritised content depth were able to recover traffic and even saw increases in visibility. For example, one case study highlighted by Seer Interactive showed a 17% uplift in clicks and a 20% increase in impressions for a client who optimised for AI features like SGE .

The lesson here? Preparing for AI Overviews is about staying proactive and focusing on the strategies that drive sustainable growth. Whether it’s diversifying content, improving UX, or leveraging structured data, the businesses that adapt quickly will be the ones to thrive.

Moving Forward

As AI Overviews roll out in Australia and are expected soon in New Zealand, now is the time to put these strategies into action. Aligning your content and technical teams will be key to securing those prime spots in the SERPs. The faster you implement these optimisations, the quicker you’ll start seeing the impact on your search performance.

AI Overviews represent both a challenge and an opportunity. By focusing on what works and continually refining your approach, your business can not only adapt but thrive in this new AI-driven search landscape.

Additional reference:

Search Engine Land - link to article

Google’s AI Overviews Set to Launch in Australia, with New Zealand Likely to Follow Soon.

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