How to Get Your Website Featured
in AI Overview Results

If you've noticed AI overview results taking over search engine results pages (SERPs) recently, you're not alone. These AI-powered summaries often dominate the top of the page, pulling content from high-ranking websites and linking directly to them. Naturally, the question arises: How can you get your website featured in these results?

Getting your content showcased in AI overviews isn’t a matter of luck. It’s about nailing the right SEO strategies and understanding what AI looks for in content. Let’s break it down.

The Basics: Rank Organically First

To even have a shot at being included in AI overviews, your website must already rank well organically. AI overview content is drawn from existing high-ranking pages—typically those in the top 10 results. If your site isn’t visible there, chances are slim that the AI will pick it up.

So, your first step is to master the fundamentals of SEO. This includes:

• Keyword Optimization: Target keywords that align with user queries.
• High-Quality Content: Write content that provides direct, valuable answers to search queries.
• Technical SEO: Ensure your site loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and has clean code.

Simply put, the better your SEO game, the more likely AI will notice your site.

Direct Answers Win the Day

Here’s one of the biggest takeaways: AI overviews favor websites that deliver direct and concise answers to user queries.

For instance, if someone searches for “What is digital marketing?”, the AI is more likely to feature a page that explicitly answers this question, rather than one that only touches on related topics. The clearer and more relevant your response, the better your chances of being included.

To optimize your content:

1. Use headers and subheaders (H1, H2, etc.) to structure your answers.
2. Incorporate bullet points, tables, or lists for scannability.
3. Avoid fluff—focus on providing actionable, to-the-point information.

This approach not only improves your chances with AI but also enhances user experience, which can boost your overall rankings.

Strong Backlink Profiles Are a Must

One of the most striking patterns in AI overview results is that websites with clean, high-quality backlink profiles tend to dominate. These aren’t just any backlinks—they’re credible, relevant, and come from authoritative sources.

AI systems seem to prioritize websites that are already trusted within their niche. If your backlink profile is filled with spammy or toxic links, it can hurt your chances of ranking in AI overviews (and organic search results, for that matter).

Here’s how to build a strong backlink profile:

1. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: A few links from respected websites are far better than hundreds of low-quality ones.
2. Engage in Outreach: Pitch your content to reputable blogs and industry sites to earn backlinks.
3. Create Shareable Content: Publish resources like guides, infographics, and original research that naturally attract links.

Make sure to regularly audit your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify and disavow harmful links.

Technical SEO and Structured Data Give You an Edge

Another major factor separating websites that get featured in AI overviews is technical SEO—specifically, the use of structured data (like schema markup). AI systems rely on structured data to better understand and extract content.

When analyzing AI overview results, it’s clear that sites with well-organized and properly marked-up content consistently come out on top. This includes:

• Using schema markup to identify FAQs, articles, and product reviews.
• Structuring content with clear headings (H1, H2, etc.) and subheadings.
• Including tables, lists, or bullet points to make information digestible.

For example, if your page explains "how to make coffee," include FAQ schema and properly format your content with headings and step-by-step instructions. These enhancements not only improve your chances of appearing in AI overviews but also make your content easier for search engines and users to understand.

Key Takeaway: SEO is the Foundation for AI Success

At the end of the day, getting your website featured in AI overviews comes down to doing the basics of SEO exceptionally well. Focus on ranking in the top 10 organically, delivering clear and direct answers, building a strong backlink profile, and optimizing your technical SEO with structured data.

By implementing these strategies, you’re not just increasing your chances of showing up in AI results—you’re future-proofing your website for the evolving search landscape.

Actionable SEO Tips to Dominate AI Overview Results

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, let’s get into some specific, actionable strategies you can start implementing today to make your website AI overview-ready. 

1. Target Question-Based Keywords

AI overview results often cater to question-based queries, like “What is SEO?” or “How to start a blog?”. These queries are typically looking for concise, well-structured answers.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use Tools: Platforms like AnswerThePublic or SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool help you find relevant question-based keywords in your niche.
• Create Q&A Sections: Dedicate portions of your content to directly answering these questions. Use headers like “What is [Topic]?” or “How Does [Process] Work?” to optimize for AI extraction.
• Leverage FAQs: Add an FAQ section with schema markup to increase your chances of AI picking up your content.

2. Craft Skimmable, AI-Friendly Content

AI tools love content that’s easy to extract and understand. Make your articles “skimmable” by focusing on readability.

• Write Short Paragraphs: Stick to 2–3 sentences per paragraph.
• Use Headings Strategically: Break your content into sections using clear and relevant headers (H2, H3, etc.).
• Include Lists and Tables: These formats are not only user-friendly but also easier for AI systems to pull into overviews.

For example, if you’re writing about "how to bake a cake," structure it as:

1. Ingredients (in a bullet list)
2. Step-by-step instructions (numbered list)
3. Common mistakes (in a table format)

3. Invest in High-Quality Backlinks

Your backlink profile directly affects whether AI will trust and include your website in overviews. Follow these steps to strengthen your profile:

• Reach Out to Industry Leaders: Pitch your content to respected bloggers or organizations in your niche.
• Create Linkable Assets: Think about content that naturally attracts links, like original data, case studies, or infographics.
• Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out): Respond to journalist queries in exchange for a backlink to your website.

Pro Tip: Focus on earning backlinks from websites that are already featured in AI overviews. This adds extra credibility in the eyes of search algorithms.

4. Implement Schema Markup Effectively

Schema markup (structured data) is non-negotiable if you want to stand out in AI overviews. It helps search engines—and by extension, AI tools—better understand and categorize your content.

Here’s how to get started:

• FAQ Schema: Mark up any frequently asked questions on your page.
• Article Schema: Identify blog posts or long-form content as articles.
• How-To Schema: Use this for step-by-step guides.

Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper can simplify the process, even if you’re not a tech expert.

5. Maintain a Clean Technical SEO Foundation

AI overviews favor websites with strong technical health. Use the following checklist to make sure your site is in top shape:

• Page Speed: Optimize your site to load in under 2 seconds.
• Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is responsive and user-friendly on all devices.
• Indexing Issues: Use Google Search Console to check for crawl or indexing problems.
• SSL Certificate: Make sure your website is HTTPS-secured.

Even small fixes, like compressing images or improving internal linking, can make a big difference in rankings.

6. Monitor and Adapt

The algorithms behind AI overviews are constantly evolving. Regularly monitor which types of content are getting featured in your niche.

• Analyze Competitors: Study sites that frequently appear in AI overviews. What are they doing well? How can you replicate or improve on their strategies?
• Use Analytics: Track which pages of your site are performing well and optimize them further to align with AI trends.

Conclusion: Consistency Is Key to AI Overview Success

Getting your website featured in AI overview results is not an overnight process, but it’s absolutely achievable with the right strategy. By focusing on strong SEO fundamentals—ranking organically, delivering direct and concise answers, building a clean backlink profile, and leveraging structured data—you can position your site as a top contender.

Remember, AI overviews favor quality over quantity. Consistently produce user-focused, well-structured content, and maintain a technically sound website. Monitor trends, adapt to changes, and refine your strategies as AI systems evolve. With persistence, your content can rise to the top of SERPs and claim its spot in AI-powered results.