How to appear in Google AI Overviews

AI Overviews are the AI-written summaries at the top of many Google searches; AI Mode is Google's full conversational search. Both are now available in India, including in Hindi (TechCrunch). Getting cited there sends you high-intent visitors — and if you're not cited, the summary often answers the question without anyone scrolling to your link.

Rule #1: you mostly need to rank first

76% of AI Overview citations come from pages already ranking in Google's top 10 (Ahrefs). Unlike ChatGPT, Google's AI is built on top of its own search index. So GEO for AI Overviews starts with solid SEO.

Checklist

1. Be indexed. Verify your site in Google Search Console, submit a sitemap, fix pages marked “Crawled – currently not indexed”.
2. Answer the query in the first lines. Put a direct 1–2 sentence answer right under the heading, then expand.
3. Use specific facts. Numbers, prices, steps, comparisons in tables. Vague marketing copy doesn't get quoted.
4. Structure the page. Clear H2/H3 headings that match the sub-questions people ask; lists and tables.
5. Show who is behind it. Author or business details, real contact info, reviews — Google's quality signals still apply.
6. Keep it fresh. Update the page when facts change and show the date.
7. Earn mentions. Brand mentions across the web correlate most strongly with AI Overview visibility (Ahrefs).
8. Local businesses: keep your Google Business Profile complete and consistent with your site.

What doesn't help

• Blocking or allowing Google-Extended — it doesn't control AI Overviews.
• Adding schema markup alone — no measurable lift in a 1,885-page test (Ahrefs).
• Mass-produced AI content with no new facts.

AI Overviews are one of several AI surfaces. To appear in ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini too, follow this guide.