Seven leading SEO experts and publisher audience strategists on changing their approach due to Google Search AI Overviews, how it may alter traffic, and more (Andrew Deck/Nieman Lab)
Google’s foray into AI-powered search overviews, a new feature showcasing summaries of web content, has sent ripples through the SEO landscape. Top experts, like those interviewed by Nieman Lab’s Andrew Deck, are adjusting their strategies to navigate this evolving search environment.
One key takeaway: focus on creating high-quality, original content. While AI-generated overviews are designed to provide a succinct summary, they lack the depth and nuanced insights of original content. Experts like Rand Fishkin emphasize the importance of delivering “truly valuable content that’s different from what AI can easily scrape.
Traffic patterns are also shifting. As search overviews become more prominent, some speculate a potential decline in click-through rates, as users might find their answers within the overview itself. This necessitates a shift towards optimizing for both search overview summaries and the full article content.
The challenge lies in ensuring that the AI-generated overviews accurately reflect the nuances of individual content. Experts like Aleyda Solis point to the need for “a new era of SEO that focuses on building trust and authority,” ensuring that Google’s algorithms understand the true value of your content.
This shift towards AI-powered search opens up new opportunities. Experts suggest leveraging structured data markup to enhance the accuracy and visibility of search overviews. Additionally, building robust internal linking strategies can help guide users deeper into your site, even if they initially encounter your content through an overview.
While the landscape is evolving rapidly, one thing remains clear: quality content is king. By focusing on delivering genuine value and adapting their strategies to account for AI-driven search, SEO experts are poised to thrive in this new era.