The world of search is changing right before our eyes. We are moving away from the classic list of blue links toward a more conversational experience powered by artificial intelligence. At the heart of this transformation is a feature you may have seen at the top of your search results: Google’s AI Overviews.
First introduced as the Search Generative Experience (SGE), AI Overviews officially began appearing on May 14, 2024. These are AI-generated answers that sit at the very top of the search results page, designed to give users a direct, summarized answer to their questions [1]. This shift means our approach to SEO must also evolve to drive conversions.
The New Search Reality: Why AI Overviews Change Everything
These AI-powered summaries are changing how people use Google. Instead of clicking through to different websites, many users now get the information they need directly from the AI Overview. In fact, a study from July 2025 found that users are less likely to click on traditional website links when an AI summary is present in the results [2].
This creates a new challenge and a new goal for businesses. It is no longer enough to rank on the first page; you need your brand and content to be featured and cited directly within these AI answers. If you fail to appear in these summaries, your brand risks becoming invisible during key phases of the buyer’s journey. For a deeper look at this new landscape, you can explore our AI Search SEO: Your Definitive B2B Guide for 2025.
From SEO to GEO: Adopting a Modern Optimization Framework
To succeed in this new environment, we must move from traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). GEO is the practice of fine-tuning your entire digital presence to ensure it appears prominently and accurately within AI-generated search results.
At CSP Agency, we have developed a proven framework for GEO built on three core pillars. This approach helps brands build a strong foundation to thrive in the age of AI search. You can learn more by optimizing for AI-driven search.
Pillar 1: Accessibility (The Technical Foundation)
First and foremost, AI engines cannot feature content they can’t find or understand. Making your website accessible is the technical starting point for any GEO strategy.
- Configure
robots.txt: This file acts as a guide for search engine bots. Ensure it is set up to allow helpful AI bots like GPTBot and Google-Extended to access your content. - Submit XML Sitemaps: A sitemap is a roadmap of your website. Submitting a well-organized sitemap to Google helps its AI discover all your important pages.
- Implement Schema Markup: Think of schema as descriptive labels for your content. It provides context that helps machines easily understand what your pages are about, increasing the chances of being featured.
- Monitor Bot Activity: Keep an eye on which AI bots are visiting your site and how often. This helps you understand if your accessibility efforts are working.
Pillar 2: Owned Media (Your Core Digital Footprint)
Your owned media—everything on your website, from blog posts to solution pages and case studies—is the primary source AI engines use to learn about your brand, products, and services. To optimize this pillar, focus on creating in-depth content that uses clear, explicit language. Your messaging must be consistent across all your content, whether it’s a webpage, a video, or a downloadable PDF.
Pillar 3: Earned Media (The Authority Amplifier)
Earned media includes any mentions of your brand in external publications, such as industry articles or analyst reports. For AI engines, these mentions serve as third-party validation of your brand’s authority and expertise. The focus has shifted from simply getting a backlink to the context of what is being said about you. Prioritize getting featured in trusted, authoritative publications that echo the core messaging found on your website.
Evolving E-E-A-T for the AI Era: The M-E-E-E-A-T Framework
You may be familiar with Google’s E-E-A-T framework, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It is a set of signals Google uses to identify high-quality content, and these principles are just as important for getting cited in AI Overviews [3].
To adapt to the new demands of AI, we at CSP have expanded this into the M-E-E-E-A-T framework. We’ve added two crucial elements when you want to optimize for Google SGE. You can read more about Google’s reaction to web pages with AI content and this evolved framework.
The “M” for Multimedia
AI engines are now multimodal, meaning they can understand and analyze more than just text. They value diverse content formats like videos, podcasts, and infographics. Creating this type of content is often more difficult and resource-intensive, which signals to AI that it is likely of higher quality and value.
The “E” for Engagement
Since AI Overviews are designed to keep users on the search results page, encouraging visitors to stay and interact with your website is more important than ever. When a user does click through to your site, you want them to stick around. Strong engagement signals—like time on page, comments, and social shares—tell Google that your content is valuable and satisfying user needs.
Actionable Steps to Optimize for Google’s AI Mode
Ready to turn these insights into revenue? Here is a practical checklist your business can follow to optimize for Google’s new AI-powered search experience and capture high-intent traffic.
1. Audit for AI Accessibility
Start by reviewing your website’s technical health. Check your robots.txt file, XML sitemaps, and schema markup to ensure AI crawlers can easily access and interpret your content.
2. Create Deep, Citable Content
Focus on building detailed content, especially for pages that are important for sales, like your solution and product pages. Include statistics, data points, quotes from experts, and citations to authoritative sources. This makes your content a credible source that AI is more likely to reference.
3. Develop a Multimedia Content Strategy
Invest in creating a mix of content formats. Produce videos, host webinars, or launch a podcast to demonstrate your expertise in different ways. This helps you earn valuable citations in the increasingly multimodal search results.
4. Focus PR on Contextual Mentions
Work on securing earned media placements in authoritative industry publications. The goal is to get mentions that reinforce the core messaging you have on your website, building a consistent and trustworthy brand story for AI to follow.
5. Monitor and Refine Your Strategy
Finally, you need to track your progress. Regularly check to see how your brand is being mentioned in AI Overviews. This will help you identify what is working, find new opportunities, and make adjustments to your approach over time. Developing a dynamic plan is key, and our team specializes in SEO strategy development for this new era.
Conclusion: Win in the New Era of Search with a Human-First Approach
The rise of AI search is not a passing trend; it is a permanent shift in how people find information. Success in this new landscape requires a two-part strategy: pairing a human-first approach to content with smart, technical optimization for AI.
By building your strategy on the three pillars of GEO—Accessibility, Owned Media, and Earned Media—and embracing the M-E-E-E-A-T framework, you can create a durable advantage that keeps your brand visible and authoritative.
Navigating this new terrain can be complex. To ensure your business is ready for the future of search, partner with an expert who understands the landscape. Contact CSP Agency today to learn how our human-first approach to GEO can drive measurable results for your business.
Citations
- [1] https://botify.com/insight/what-are-google-ai-overviews
- [2] https://pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/07/22/google-users-are-less-likely-to-click-on-links-when-an-ai-summary-appears-in-the-results
- [3] https://sincerecopy.com/what-is-google-search-generative-experience-sge?srsltid=AfmBOorscHutNfWf0KqR7vh8lcw8vRT_rq0jUQxwPJkMlNW0rlFFzUk5
