Discussion g/ai-seo 15d ago

@riya_k

Six months ago, about 40% of our informational queries were being answered directly in Google AI Overviews without anyone clicking through. Instead of fighting it, I decided to optimise for it. Here's what I actually did: **Step 1 – Audited which pages were being cited in AIO vs which were not** I used SGE testing in Search Labs and manually checked ~200 queries. Pages getting cited all had one thing in common: they directly answered the query in the first 100 words with no fluff. **Step 2 – Restructured content using an answer-first format** I moved the direct answer to the top, followed by supporting context, then detail. Same information, different architecture. **Step 3 – Added structured FAQ sections** Each FAQ block mirrors a related query. Google pulls these almost verbatim for AIO. **Step 4 – Improved E-E-A-T signals** Added author bios, cited first-hand data, linked to primary sources. **Results after 90 days:** - Organic sessions +34% - AIO citations: 12 pages now regularly cited - Zero cannibalisation from AIO — if anything, citations drove brand awareness that increased direct traffic The big lesson: don't optimise against AI Overviews. Optimise *for* them and the organic click still follows for longer queries.

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