The Secret to Getting Featured in Google’s AI Summaries

Having a tough time getting your content to rank on Google? It's a common problem, and the recent changes to search are a big part of it. You've likely seen them by now —those quick, AI-generated answers right at the top of the search results. They include sources and key takeaways. This is Google's AI Overview.

The good news? Your content can be featured there, too.

As of August 2025, AI Overviews are appearing in nearly one out of every four searches. This shift offers a huge opportunity to gain visibility if you know how to structure your content correctly. And that's what this guide is for —to help you get your content featured.

What Are AI Overviews?

Simply put, AI Overviews are Google's way of providing immediate answers to questions.

Google grabs information from several websites and mixes it all into one helpful summary. Think of AI Overviews as comprehensive summaries that distill key points from top search results, providing an immediate and unified overview.

Why This Matters for Your Business?

Suppose someone googled “best project management tools for startups”. The AI Overview could highlight your SaaS comparison article and put your brand front and centre. This is very powerful, especially for smaller businesses. By levelling the playing field in the local SEO space, any business, regardless of size, can be discovered without a ton of ad spend.

But what does this mean for click-through rates? As it turns out, content featured in AI Overviews experiences as much as 8% higher click-through rates than regular organic search results. We have seen this from studies done by Search Engine Journal and others.

Even if the summary provides the answer to the query, click-through rates remain high. Moreover, being featured is instant credibility; it's essentially a thumbs-up from Google that you are a trusted expert in your field.

How Are They Different from Featured Snippets?

Featured Snippets pull from one source, like a digital quote. AI Overviews mix and match data across sources to produce a fuller, more conversational response.

Getting featured in an AI Overview isn't just luck, there's an element of strategy to it. To get your website noticed by Google, you will need a good content plan. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Step 1: Research what generates AI Overviews

Before even touching your content, let’s do a little investigative work to better understand the playing field and figure out which searches trigger these AI Overviews.

Manual Method

Start simple. Open an incognito window in your browser. Type in your target keywords one by one.

See if an AI Overview pops up at the top. Note down which ones do and the way they are presented. Is it a list or a paragraph? Also, check the length of the answer.

Repeating this process for each of your target keywords will help you spot patterns quickly.

Advanced Research Techniques

Don't limit yourself to the easy stuff. AI Overviews can be local, time-sensitive, or device-dependent.

To dig into local SEO, try a free VPN like Proton VPN to change your location and search again.

Test devices too. Run the same query on both mobile and desktop devices to see if there are any differences.

Time matters as well. Some queries have AI Overviews triggered more at certain times of the day. Testing at different times will enable you to tailor your strategy with more precision.

It's also good to see what your competition is doing. Search your keywords and pay attention to who is getting the AI Overviews featured in the results. You can learn from their success and build it into your own content.

Action Item Checklist

 List your top 20 target keywords.
 Test each in Google (incognito mode).
 Document which triggers AI Overviews.
 Screenshot examples for reference.
 Test variations and related searches.

A Real-World Example

Let’s look at how small changes in wording can make a big difference.

We tracked two common search terms at Nirvana Canada.

For the search “content strategy tips,” an AI Overview appeared only about 15% of the time. This is a broad topic.

But for the search term “how to create a content strategy,” that number jumped to 40%.

The lesson is clear. Queries phrased as direct questions are goldmines. They signal to Google that the user wants a specific answer, making them perfect candidates for an AI Overview.

Step 2: Structure Your Content in an AI-Friendly Way

Here is a common hurdle for content creators: how to structure content so that it appeals to people and programs.

We often write content for a human audience, hoping that AI can understand it too.

A better approach is to flip that around. Structure your content for AI first, but keep the language so clear, engaging and insightful so that people love it too.

This slight shift in perspective is the key to getting featured. Let’s see how.

FAQ Structure

Why are FAQs effective at gaining a place in AI overviews? Because the question-and-answer format is naturally understandable to AI Overviews, and is easy for AI to “extract” from. This structure not only makes it easier for AI to pull key information but also makes the content easier for readers to understand and engage with.

At Nirvana Canada, we've found that adding this level of detail significantly increases our clients’ visibility.

How do you do it right? Start with the main question as your H2 heading: “How do you create a content strategy?”

Next, split it out into sub-questions as H3:

• What are the key elements?
• How long will it take?
• What are the tools needed?

The above phrasing gives guidance to AI. Think of writing it as if it were a friendly chat.

For example, instead of writing “The content strategy includes planning and research,” consider writing:

• What does content strategy include?

Content strategy typically includes three key elements: audience research, content planning, and performance measurements.

See how this feels more direct?

Magic of Bullet Points

Why do bullets win? Bullet point formats are extremely useful for two main reasons: they are easy for AI to extract and reformat, and are easily scannable for human eyes. They have this ability to produce natural “snippets” that can be read on the fly.

To make a great bullet format, you should put the key point in bold (3-5 words), and then add an explanation of your key point in 10-15 words. Including supporting details like percentages, numbers, time periods, or tools can also add credibility and depth to your bullet points, making your content more likely to capture an AI Overview.

For example:

• Audience Research: Survey 100+ potential customers before writing anything.
• Content Calendar: Plan 3 months out with weekly themes.
• Performance Metrics: Keep track of engagement, shares, and conversion rates.

Content Depth Strategy

Use a pyramid format to structure your content.

• Layer 1 - The Quick Answer

Right off the bat, start with an immediate response to the main question. This will be your intro. Aim for short answers, about 50 words. This is particularly useful for AI Overviews.

• Layer 2 - The Detailed Explanation

Next, give a detailed section for those who click through the explanation. Aim to write about 150 words.

• Layer 3 - Advanced Tips

Finally, provide advanced content to reinforce that you are the expert. You should also define any jargon right away, such as “SEO (Search Engine Optimization) takes time.”

The pyramid approach fulfills both AI and human readers’ needs. It delivers an answer early, but also provides additional depth. Apply this approach in every section. It will balance AI's preference for concise answers without sacrificing user experience.

Internal Linking to Provide AI Context

Get more traction by linking FAQ sections with related content and always use descriptive anchor text (e.g., "Learn about content tools here.”).

To strengthen your authority, create topic clusters. This will help AI understand the relationship between your content. For example, link a beginner guide to an advanced guide. This way, you can create an interconnected library of valued resources that are useful to AI.

Remember, the core idea is balance! You want to optimize for AI, but you don't want to make it feel stiff for humans. Readers must be able to find real value in what you are writing, and the rest takes care of itself.

Step 3: Get Schema Markup Right

Schema markup is "code" that you sprinkle throughout your website. Schema acts like a roadmap for search engines. Instead of making Google try to guess what your content is about, you are directly communicating what kind of content it is.

For example, “this is a recipe,” “this is an FAQ page," or "this is a how-to.”

Having that clarification makes it easier for AI to recognize your content and display it in overviews. The clearer you are, the more likely your content will show up for related searches.

Essential Schema Types for AI Overviews

Schema lives in your HTML, mostly in the <head> of your page’s code.

1. FAQ Schema (Your Best Friend)

This one’s best for questions. Here’s an example in JSON:

If you’re using WordPress, Shopify, or Wix, you can usually add this with a plugin. No code needed. AI pulls these easily.

2. How-To Schema (For Process Content)

Great for step-by-step guides. AI loves this structuring. For optimal AI visibility, include time estimates and required materials, like "takes 30 minutes” or “grab a notebook."

3. Article Schema (For Everything Else)

Helps AI grasp your topic. Remember to add the author's name, publish date, and word count.

4. Speakable Schema (Voice Search Optimization)

This marks text for voice reading. Speakable schema acts like a megaphone for your FAQs and main points, significantly boosting voice search hits.

Advanced Schema Implementation

To enhance your schema implementation, you can leverage a few key types.

First, Organization Schema can be used to establish your company’s authority and expertise.

Second, Person Schema helps build author credibility by allowing you to add detailed biographies and experience.

Third, WebSite Schema is useful for improving sitelink boxes in search results, while BreadcrumbList schema provides AI with a clearer understanding of your site’s structure.

Here is an example:

Easy Implementation

WordPress users? Grab Schema Pro or RankMath plugins; they're really user-friendly.

Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper for a guided, step-by-step manual implementation of schema markup.

Use Google’s Rich Results Test to test your implementation for errors, like invalid JSON. Afterwards, you can use the Search Console’s Enhancement reports to monitor performance.

Step 4: Optimize for Conversational Keywords

Here’s something most SEO guides are not going to tell you. AI Overviews love conversational, natural language. We’re not optimizing for “SEO tips" anymore, we're optimizing for "what are some good SEO tips for beginners?”

The Long-Tail Revolution

Traditional SEO focused on short phrases like “content marketing strategy”. That’s the old way.

For AI Overviews, go longer and more natural: “how to create a content marketing strategy from scratch”. Even better: “What's the best way to create a content marketing strategy if you're a complete beginner?".

These long-tail keywords match how people really speak and search.

Finding Conversational Keywords

• Method 1: Google’s “People Also Ask”

Search your main keyword and expand all the questions that pop up. Notice how all the replies feature full sentences and natural language? That's exactly what AI looks for.

• Method 2: AnswerThePublic

Enter your topic. Download the list of question-based keywords. Focus on starters like “how,” “what,” “why,” or “when.” It’s free and eye-opening.

• Method 3: Reddit/Quora Research

Search your topic on these sites. See how real people ask questions and use their exact words in your content. For SEO topics, check r/SEO on Reddit or Quora's Digital Marketing space —they're jackpots for natural phrasing.

Implementation Strategy

Sprinkle these keywords into H2 and H3 headings. Add some variations of the keywords in the FAQ section. Remember when you're writing to write as if you're talking to a friend, keeping it natural, not forced. Use synonyms and related concepts in your FAQ instead of repeating the same keyword over and over. If you get stuck, try reading the questions out loud.

Step 5: Use Scannable, AI-Compatible Formatting

If your content looks like a wall of text, the AI will likely skip it entirely.

The Ideal AI-Friendly Formatting

Start by applying a clear header hierarchy. Use H1 for the main topic, and remember there should only be one H1 per page. Use H2 for main sections like questions. You will use H3 for subtopics and answers. H4 is used for anything which you want to break down deeper.

Second, remember to use formatting with the body of your text. Don’t overdo it, but make key terms bold. You can use italics for emphasis. The goal is to use short paragraphs with no more than 2-3 sentences. Your best friend is white space; it helps the eyes move.

Lists and Numbers

For processes like step-by-step guides, use numbered lists. Bullet points are great for highlighting features or benefits.

When comparing items, like the pros and cons of different tools, tables are a practical option. Finally, checkboxes can be used for action items, making tasks feel more manageable.

Advanced Formatting Techniques

To emphasize key information, use callout boxes to make them stand out. You can also include summary sections at the end of long parts to recap the main ideas.

To create quick reference guides, use numbered steps or checklists. Horizontal rules can be used to help give readers a visual break; they're perfect when you need to separate ideas or move on to a new topic.

Pro Tips That Stand You Out

You've got the basics down. Now let's cover the advanced moves that'll help make you stand out.

1. Answer the “What’s Next?” Question

Don’t just answer what users ask. Think about what they’ll ask next.

Say someone searches “how to create a content strategy”, what's their next thought? Probably “what tools do I need?” or “how do I measure success?".

Answer both questions in one piece. This shows Google that your content covers everything users want to know.

2. Show You’re the Real Deal (E-E-A-T)

Google needs to trust its sources for AI Overviews. That's where E-E-A-T comes in: Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. Skip the boring author bio. Create a detailed author page —linked to LinkedIn profiles. Write in first person.

3. Create Topic Clusters

One great article is nice. But a connected group of articles is way more powerful.

Think of it as building a neighbourhood. You create a main "pillar” page about something broad like “Content Marketing”. Then you link it to specific pages like “Content Strategy” and “Keyword Research”. This web of connections shows Google you really know your stuff.

4. Learn from What’s Already Working

You don’t have to guess what Google wants to see.

The answers are often hiding in plain sight.

A great strategy is to look at the content that is already winning. Find the competitors who consistently appear in AI Overviews for your target keywords.

Don’t just read their content. Right-click and check “View Page Source”. See how they structure headings. Notice their lists and formatting. Then beat them.

If they write a paragraph, make yours a clear bulleted list. If they give five steps, give seven with better instructions.

Your Next Steps

Think your content is ready for AI Overviews? Let’s check. Grab your best article and answer these three questions:

1. The Question Test

Do your headings ask direct questions? Like “How do you...” or “What is...?”

Look for clear <h2> or <h3> tags that sound like real questions people ask.

2. The Scan Test

Can someone get your main points in 15 seconds?

Just by reading your bold text and bullet points, would they understand what you’re saying?

3. The Schema Test

Have you added schema markup to your page?

Specifically, are you using FAQ or How-To schema to label your content?

If you're not sure what schema is, or if it hasn't been added, then this is a huge area of opportunity for you.

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, that's actually good news. It means you've found specific, actionable steps to improve your content and capture more traffic. If you answered “Yes” to all of them but still aren’t seeing results, the issue might be a bit more complex.

Either way, we can help. Contact Nirvana Canada for a full audit, and we'll spot what AI sees that you're missing.