The AI SEO Playbook: How to Adapt for AI Overviews

Short answer

AI is changing search. Google's AI overviews and similar features mean fewer clicks to sites. The playbook below helps you audit risk, win citations in AI overviews, and keep useful traffic. Use the downloadable AIO Keyword Risk Assessment and an AI-Powered Content Brief to make a 90-day plan.

Why this matters now

The AI and SEO wave is real. Tools and search are using large language models. That changes click patterns and brings more zero-click searches.

Studies show pages in AI overviews can drive fewer direct clicks but still send valuable traffic when cited. Learn how to adapt rather than panic.

Core concepts to know

• AI Overviews / SGE: Search features that summarize answers from multiple pages, like Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE).
• LLMO: Large Language Model Optimization. Optimize for how models read content.
• GEO: Generative Engine Optimization. Focus on source clarity and authority.
• Schema markup: Structured data that helps models understand and cite your pages.

The 4-step AI SEO playbook

1. Audit risk: find pages that AI overviews may replace

Do this first. It tells you where to act.

1. Export your top pages and keywords from your analytics and rank tool.
2. Flag informational queries where traffic fell or where snippets appear. Use tools like Semrush or manual SERP checks.
3. Score each page for AIO risk: traffic drop, query type, freshness need, and uniqueness. Create a simple 1-6 scale.

Tip: branded and transactional queries are less likely to be fully replaced by AI overviews, so prioritize informational content.

2. Optimize to be a source in AI Overviews

AI systems cite sources they trust. Make your pages easy to cite.

• Rewrite the top of the page with a clear, short answer to the query. Lead with the fact or the how-to.
• Add unique data, examples, or a quick case study. Models favor original, verifiable content.
• Use precise headings and lists. Structured content is easier for models to parse.
• Apply schema markup where it fits: FAQ, HowTo, Article, Product, Review.
• Include clear citations or data sources and dated updates. If you add a stat, show the source link.

3. Revamp workflow: mix human judgement with AI tools

AI is a tool. Use it to scale work, not to replace strategy.

1. Use AI to do fast SERP analysis and outline drafts. Tools like Semrush and other AI SEO tools can help.
2. Create an AI-Powered Content Brief template. Include: target query, short answer (40-60 words), 3 supporting facts, schema type, internal link targets, and update plan.
3. Run an editor pass. Human review must add nuance, local context, or experiments that AI can't invent.
4. Automate technical checks with AI-aided crawlers for schema errors, broken links, and speed issues. See ideas from Siteimprove.

4. Measure, iterate, and protect value

Track the right signals and adapt.

• Monitor AI overview citations. Track if your URL is shown as a source in the summary cards.
• Measure downstream metrics, not just clicks: assisted conversions, time on page, scroll depth.
• Set a 90-day experiment: pick a set of at-risk pages, apply the playbook, and compare outcomes against controls.
• Use attribution models that consider AI-driven discovery, as recommended by Search Engine Land.

Mini how-to: add schema for a how-to page

Here is a short example you can paste into a page's head or use with your CMS. Replace the values shown.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "How to fix a slow checkout",
  "description": "Quick steps to speed up checkout time.",
  "step": [
    {"@type": "HowToStep","name": "Test", "text": "Run a checkout test."},
    {"@type": "HowToStep","name": "Optimize", "text": "Compress images and cache the page."}
  ]
}

Checklist: quick actions you can run today

• Run an AIO Keyword Risk Assessment for your top 200 keywords.
• For 10 high-risk pages, add a short answer box at the top and one piece of unique data.
• Apply relevant schema and check it in Google's Rich Results test.
• Set an experiment: A vs B for 30-60 days and track traffic, citations, and conversions.

Common questions

Is AI hurting SEO?

AI changes where clicks go, especially for informational queries. It's not the end of SEO. It does shift the work toward creating clearer, more useful sources and measuring different outcomes. Read industry takes from Forbes and BrightEdge.

How do I get featured in an AI overview?

Make your page concise, factual, and uniquely useful. Use schema, cite sources, and add original data or examples. Also keep pages well linked internally so crawlers and models see your authority.

Which pages should I stop updating?

Do not abandon core product, transactional, or brand pages. Prioritize informational pages that show falling traffic or that rank for queries now summarized in overviews.

Further reading and tools

• AI and SEO guide for big-picture context.
• Semrush on AI use cases for SEO.
• Siteimprove for integrating AI into audits.
• Sperling Interactive on schema and AI search.

Next steps

Download the AIO Keyword Risk Assessment and run it for your top queries. Pick five at-risk pages and follow the playbook steps for a 90-day test. Track citations and shared value, not just clicks. AI is a new channel. With clear source signals and better content, you can still win visibility.