# How to Rank in SearchGPT **Last updated:** 2023-12-16 **Source:** https://www.lawrencehitches.com/how-to-rank-in-searchgpt/ --- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} **To rank in Google's AI Overviews**,**focus on answering your audience's key questions with clear, concise content to gain rankings on ; use simple sentences for easy understanding of the page topic.** /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading ## What is AI Overviews, and how will it impact SEO? /wp:heading wp:paragraph Google's AI Overviews (AI Overviews) demonstrates the capabilities of generative AI as a response to the AI revolution. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's been in an experiment phase to select countries and users for the last six months. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Breaking away from the traditional search engine result, which only links relevant websites and articles, the [AI Overviews](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/google-sge/) offers more robust answers to user queries through an AI snapshot. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This results page includes an answer from the generative AI and [links to websites](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/introduction-to-linking/) that support or corroborate this response. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"lightbox":{"enabled":true},"id":4291,"scale":"cover","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} /wp:image wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experts expect a **massive potential organic traffic impact of up to 30% when released,** as they take up the real estate on the results pages, conversion rates will change off the back of a shake up like this. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Traffic drops will depend on the enhancements made by AI Overviews, there may also be traffic gains for those that play the game correctly. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There are also still searches with no AI Overviews result and revert to the usual ten-blue links we've been getting for years. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Therefore, how exactly AI Overviews will affect organic search traffic until its actual launch is still unknown. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **So, it's time to prepare with an understanding of the rank in AI Overviews.** /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### For ranking in AI Overviews, here's the TLDR: /wp:heading wp:list {"ordered":true} 1. **Build Brand Authority** : Establish your credibility in Google's knowledge graph by maintaining a clean website, producing quality content, and having a solid backlink profile. 2. **Deepen Keyword Research** : Conduct in-depth keyword research, focusing on long-tail keywords and SERP intent analysis to align with AI Overviews's conversational search queries. 3. **Enhance Content for AI Overviews** : Structure your content to mirror featured snippets, incorporating diverse elements like lists, videos, and alternate options. 4. **Use Simple, Engaging Language** : Write content that is direct, concise, and conversational, catering to the preferences of AI Overviews results. 5. **Focus on Unique and Helpful Information** : Ensure your content offers unique insights and practical advice, standing out from competitors to achieve higher rankings. /wp:list wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEQeb-vpIRk\u0026t=234s\u0026pp=ygUKc3R1ZGlvaGF3aw%3D%3D","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEQeb-vpIRk&t=234s&pp=ygUKc3R1ZGlvaGF3aw%3D%3D /wp:embed wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading ## How to Rank in AI Overviews /wp:heading wp:paragraph To rank in Google's AI Overviews, understand that the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is designed to answer a user's search query, where a keyword represents the question people seek information on about a topic or point. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph An AI Overviews result will be generated automatically with a "featured snippet on steroids," it will open up a dedicated page where they can ask questions directly to AI Overviews. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The AI-generated text response includes a carousel of selected sites providing more information on the topic. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph With this being a new type of result, to optimize for it, you have to take specific steps to build your brand, understand the further result, and optimize based on what it's giving you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It also has "follow-up questions" that engage with the user as part of this search experience, similar to an AI tool like ChatGPT or Gemini in a conversational mode. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading ## Here's How to Prepare for AI Overviews: /wp:heading wp:paragraph Despite massive changes, SEO professionals and marketers have opportunities to thrive and drive website traffic by preparing for AI Overviews; they need not close shop. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Build your Brand Authority First /wp:heading wp:paragraph Google AI Overviews needs to comprehend who you are, what you offer, and why you are credible enough to be ranked. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To do this, you must build brand authority, meaning that your business or website is a known entity in Google's knowledge graph. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To check just Google your brand /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":4292,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:paragraph This is the branded search for StudioHawk; it has relevant content and a description that is correct that describes the business and it's services. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Also review if you're in a first-page result for non-branded keywords relevant to your business. If you aren't appearing at all, you must work to get SEO traction first. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Traditional SEO techniques are still very relevant for AI Overviews. With them, you will have a strong foundation. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph First, I'd focus on the basics of SEO: /wp:paragraph wp:list - A clean website has little to no technical issues - Strong SEO-focused, high-quality content - An overall content strategy for target keywords - A healthy backlink profile (consider digital PR) - User-friendly experience /wp:list wp:paragraph At the end of the day you want to have the answers to questions through your relevant content.  /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Have people clicking on your website, those click-through rates are an important signal. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Next up is giving Google signals of experience, expertise, authority, and trust. These are the criteria for the Search Engine Evaluators to manually assess search results and train Google's LLM to know what results are essentially good or bad. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To do this, you need to provide them with a reason to involve trust signals, such as pages on: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Terms of Use - Security - Policy on privacy. - Team / about us page. - Reviews from customers. - News, accolades, testimonials, awards. - Social media platforms with consistent posting /wp:list wp:image {"id":4293,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:paragraph The largest brands have no issue with this as there are so many collaborating sources that AI Overviews can use to value its trusted brand and present a profound AI Overviews result for the user. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To recap, invest time into your brand from an SEO perspective and overall marketing play to enhance your trust with search engines. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Deepen Keyword Research /wp:heading wp:paragraph [Keyword research](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/keyword-research/) is an essential part of SEO that helps website owners identify words and phrases their target audiences will likely search for. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **The same goes for an AI Overviews result.** /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The difference is that after looking through the standard search volume and difficulty metrics, you need to do SERP intent analysis with the added complexity of what an AI Overviews result is looking for. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here's an example: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph "running shoes" /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph At first glance, this is transactional intent; people are looking to buy shoes. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The AI Overviews result presents information and data on running shoes. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Going down the search result page, we see shopping results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There's conversational follow up questions: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Then, people also asked questions. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Then, a running shoe guide /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is a highly mixed intent of results, likely a problematic keyword search to go after unless you have high rankings already. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When [fat head keywords](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/understanding-fat-head-keywords/) like "running shoes" are searched for, the AI Overviews result provides different questions related to the main keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph [Long-tail keywords](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/head-terms-vs-long-tail-keywords/) are composed of multiple words and more accurately reflect the natural conversational tone, which today's algorithms favor. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is why keyword research with AI Overviews is more profound, and it provides more pathways for exploring niches, fat head, middle chunky, and low-hanging fruit keywords - these additional questions lead to further AI-generated answers and so on. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Keyword selection is understanding what the [SERP intent](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/serp-intent/) wants to see and finding new niche keywords to target if a term is too difficult because of the mixed search intent or competitors. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The key is incorporating these phrases into your content naturally while ensuring its relevance and value, so users click the link and engage with your page or website when they land there. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Use AI Overviews to Enhance Your Content /wp:heading wp:paragraph What's excellent about AI Overviews results is they're aggregating content for us to know what Google thinks is valuable as a quick snapshot of information to a user. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Example: /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":4295,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:paragraph "how to eat a pomegranate." /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph First, it gives us a four-dot-point list. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Then, an alternative option /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Then, other ways to eat it as a dish /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Then a full video /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph One tactic to maximize the chances of your content getting cited by AI Overviews is to mirror the format and content of existing featured snippets. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Featured snippets often contain summarized responses supplied directly from a website, which appear at the top of many searches. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So, for the example above, I would make sure my content targeting the same term has /wp:paragraph wp:list - A quick list - Alternative option - Other ways to use - And video content /wp:list wp:paragraph Video content is a noticeable SEO trend, and Google favors more audiovisual content. I call it diversity of content. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **If you're seeing that you're content his all points, go for the one you don't have, example a lower quality video in the search results, you can make one better, go for it!** /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It allows users to engage in content and stay on the page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In summary, profoundly analyzing the AI Overviews result and using those snippets of content to put onto your content is a surefire way to rank in AI Overviews results. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Simple, Short, Engaging, Direct Language /wp:heading wp:paragraph The natural language capabilities of search engine algorithms have drastically revolutionized content optimization. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The optimization is no longer about manually stuffing generic keywords into web content. It has become an endeavor to create conversational and relatable content that can engage readers. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph People browsing the web usually want quick, straightforward answers. They only have time for short, simple texts. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So, it's best to keep things short and sweet when writing for the web. Think about how you'd explain something to a friend. That's the natural, engaging style search engines and readers prefer. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You will see this in AI Overviews results as well: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The above is short, straightforward, and answers the question within a sentence, blog posts have to be catering toward this. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Write, keep it brief, and make it sound like a conversation. This helps people quickly find what they need and enjoy reading it! /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Ecommerce in AI Overviews /wp:heading wp:paragraph When someone searches online intending to buy something, search engines show a special section with products at the top. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph These are sponsored links directly to products that you can buy. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Category pages on eCommerce websites used to be the main focus for SEO. But now, it's super important to make sure each product page is optimized. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This means making each product page easy for search engines to understand and find. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Schema markup is an excellent tool for this. It's like adding extra labels to your product pages that tell search engines about the product's price, reviews, ratings, and description. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This helps customers see right away how your product is different and better than others they're looking at. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Ensure your feed is synced and shows little to no errors in Google Merchant Centre. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The more correct and aggregated information AI Overviews can read from your brand, the more likely you'll appear at the top. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's really important to focus on making your product pages as clear and informative as possible. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"level":3} ### Prioritize Unique And Helpful Information (Information Gain) /wp:heading wp:paragraph This means ensuring your content is as good as the top-ranking content for the same keywords. It's about keeping up with the competition; the way to do that is to be unique and helpful above all else. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph AI tools and content writing assistants can give everyone the exact headings and [semantic keywords](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/semantic-keywords/) to include in the content. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Therefore, all content will be trying to mimic the top of search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You need to do new things behind your content that need to appear at the top of the search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph AI Overviews will pick up on these differences and present them in the keyword search or find alternative keywords related to these unique factors - this is how you pick up organic search traffic in the future of SEO. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":4} #### This targets information gain. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Information gained in the context of search engines is about ranking resources (like blogs, web pages, PDFs) based on how unique their content is compared to others. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's a concept from computer science used in machine learning models. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For instance, if you're creating content on "home gardening tips," you should research the top-ranking articles on this subject in Google. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You will likely find that these articles emphasize practical, easy-to-follow gardening techniques and advice, rather than detailed botanical history. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Your content should aim to offer straightforward, useful tips for everyday gardeners, as this approach aligns with what readers are actively seeking and what is performing well in search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To do well in search rankings, you need to make sure your content is just as good as, if not better than, what's already ranking high in results and make your content informative and detailed /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Unique and helpful information can include:** /wp:paragraph wp:list - Calculators - Tools - New statistics - Research paper references - Expert commentary - Videos, podcasts - Case studies /wp:list wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Google's Helpful Content System is designed to ensure that search results display original, helpful content created for people. It rewards content where visitors have a satisfying experience and downgrades content that needs to meet expectations. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading ## Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) /wp:heading wp:paragraph A new research paper introduces the concept of [Generative Engine Optimization](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/generative-engine-optimization/) (GEO), a novel framework aimed at empowering content creators to enhance the visibility of their web content within the AI Overviews. You can read the paper [here](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2311.09735.pdf). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here's the methods described in GEO to optimise for AI Overviews: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} 1. **Authoritative** : Writing confidently to assert expertise, like stating the effectiveness of a treatment in a health article. 2. **Statistics Addition** : Using specific data for credibility, such as mentioning exact GDP growth in an economic analysis. 3. **Cite Sources & Quotation Addition** : Enhancing trust by quoting experts or citing reliable sources, like in historical articles. 4. **Unique Words & Technical Terms** : Including specialized terms where appropriate, like in tech articles. /wp:list wp:paragraph The paper presents a new metric, "Subjective Impression," to measure the impact of content modifications such as the inclusion of citations, quotations, and statistical data, which are shown to captivate user attention and improve the likelihood of engagement. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This falls in line with what we've discovered so far in the AI Overviews experiement, content creators, especially those from lower-ranked websites, can use techniques to compete on a more level playing field, ultimately leading to a richer and more diverse search experience for users. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading ## Final Word: Get Prepared for the AI Overviews! /wp:heading wp:paragraph To prepare for the AI Overviews (AI Overviews), it's crucial to focus on existing SEO strategies that are already effective while looking at these new enhancements to inspire thinking. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Thus, use the AI snapshots to deepen research and enhance content through unique information and structured data to get these organic links. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Investing effort now, like compound interest, can yield more incredible benefits later! /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer --- *Lawrence Hitches is an AI SEO consultant in Melbourne and Chief of Staff at StudioHawk, Australia's most awarded SEO agency. Agent edition of this site: https://www.lawrencehitches.com/md/index.md*