What are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are the AI-written summaries Google shows at the top of some search results, generated by its Gemini models and linking out to the web pages used as sources.
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In plain English
Google launched AI Overviews in the US in May 2024, growing out of its Search Generative Experience test, and has since rolled them out to many countries including Canada. They appear on some searches, mostly informational or multi-part questions, with link cards pointing to sources. Google also offers AI Mode, a separate conversational search experience.
Sources come from Google’s normal index. Google says there’s no special markup required: a page needs to be indexed and eligible to show a snippet. Controls like nosnippet can keep content out, but they also limit your regular search snippets. Blocking Google-Extended doesn’t remove you from AI Overviews.
Why it matters for a small business
For simple questions, fewer people click through, because the overview answers them. Being one of the cited sources keeps your name in view. For local searches, the map and local pack still tend to carry the decision.
An example
A Calgary HVAC company publishes a page answering “How often should I change my furnace filter?” The first paragraph gives a sensible range and names what shortens it: pets, renovation dust, filter type. If Google’s overview for that question cites the page as a source, the people who do click are often the ones ready to book a service visit. (More for HVAC companies.)
Common mistakes
Where I see AI Overviews go wrong most often.
Blocking Google-Extended in robots.txt to escape AI Overviews, when that token only governs Gemini model use.
Reading a drop in clicks as a drop in rankings without checking impressions in Search Console.
Expecting Search Console to report AI Overview traffic separately, when it’s folded into the normal web totals.
AI Overviews, answered
Only with snippet controls like nosnippet or max-snippet, which also shrink how your page appears in regular results. For most businesses that trade-off isn’t worth it.
Sometimes, but for “near me” style searches Google usually leads with the map and local pack. Your Business Profile still does most of the work there.
Keep reading
- nick@tavro.ca
- 587-439-9994
- Calgary, Alberta