Definition
What this term means
An AI-generated summary that appears at the top of Google search results, synthesising information from multiple web sources to provide a comprehensive answer to the user's query. AI Overviews are powered by Google's Gemini model and are displayed for an increasing percentage of search queries. They include source citations that users can click to visit the original content.
Why it matters
The business impact
AI Overviews are fundamentally changing how users interact with Google Search. They appear above all traditional organic results, capturing the majority of user attention. Being cited as a source in an AI Overview drives significant brand authority and referral traffic, while being excluded means your content is pushed below the fold, even if you rank well organically.
Used in context
How you might use this term
“After implementing comprehensive structured data and building topical authority through a content cluster strategy, a B2B software company was cited as a source in Google AI Overviews for 22 high-intent queries in their category, driving branded impressions to hundreds of thousands of searchers monthly.”
Related terms
Explore connected concepts
Zero-Click Search
A search query where the user finds their answer directly on the search results page, through AI Overviews, featured snippets, knowledge panels, or other SERP features, without clicking through to any website. Research suggests that over 60% of Google searches now result in zero clicks, a trend accelerated by the introduction of AI-generated summaries at the top of search results.
Model Citation
An instance where an AI model references, quotes, or links to a specific source when generating its response. Model citations can appear as inline references, linked source lists, or attributed quotes, and they represent the AI equivalent of earning a backlink in traditional SEO. Platforms like Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews prominently display citations.
GEO
The practice of optimising digital content specifically for AI-powered search engines and generative models, rather than for traditional search engine results pages. GEO involves structuring content so that AI systems can accurately retrieve, understand, and cite it when generating answers, covering everything from entity clarity and structured data to freshness signals and source authority.