As Google continues to evolve its search landscape, the introduction of AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE) has left many website owners questioning whether their SEO strategies need a complete overhaul. Do you need to learn new buzzwords like GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) or LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization)? Fortunately, the answer is no — traditional SEO still reigns supreme.
Google’s Official Word: Stick to Core SEO Principles
At the Google Search Live Deep Dive event, Gary Illyes from Google reaffirmed what experienced SEOs already know: you don’t need any new tricks to rank in Google’s AI Overviews. According to Kenichi Suzuki, who attended the session, Illyes clearly stated:
“To get your content to appear in AI Overview, simply use normal SEO practices. You don’t need GEO, LLMO, or anything else.”
SEO expert Glenn Gabe on X also supported this message, emphasizing that solid SEO fundamentals remain essential, even in an AI-dominated search environment. So rather than chasing shiny new acronyms, it’s time to double down on what already works.
What Is “Normal SEO” in an AI-Powered Search World?
When Google refers to “normal SEO,” it points to the timeless best practices that help your content get discovered, ranked, and served to users. Here’s how to ensure your website is aligned with these principles in the age of AI Overviews:
1. Prioritize High-Quality, User-Centric Content
Content is still king — and now more than ever, it must be genuinely useful. Google’s AI Overviews pull from trusted sources that offer relevant, high-value information. That means your content must solve real problems, educate your audience, and match their intent.
Tips for Creating Valuable Content:
- Perform in-depth keyword and topic research to understand user queries.
- Write actionable, expert-backed, and accurate content.
- Regularly update posts to stay aligned with new search trends and insights.
- Avoid keyword stuffing; focus on clarity, relevance, and engagement.
If your content helps users make informed decisions, it has a strong chance of being included in AI-generated summaries.
2. Structure Content for Both Readers and Search Engines
Organized content isn’t just easier to read — it’s also easier for Google’s AI systems to understand and feature in overviews.
Best Practices for Structuring Content:
- Use semantic HTML tags (H1 for main titles, H2/H3 for subtopics).
- Break up text with bullet points, tables, lists, and FAQs.
- Implement schema markup like How-To, Article, or FAQ to provide context.
- Keep paragraphs short and scannable.
Good structure increases the likelihood of appearing in featured snippets, “People Also Ask” sections, and now, AI Overviews.
3. Align Content with Search Intent
Search intent plays a critical role in content visibility. Whether your audience is researching, comparing, or ready to buy, your content should directly match their needs.
How to Target Search Intent Effectively:
- Identify if the query is informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial.
- Analyze SERP formats to guide content tone and structure.
- Use intent-driven keywords and map them to specific stages of the buyer’s journey.
- Tailor CTAs and content goals based on intent.
When your content aligns with user intent, you not only increase rankings — you boost engagement and authority in AI-generated results.
4. Ensure Your Site Is Technically Sound
Google’s AI systems and crawlers rely heavily on the technical health of your website. A site that loads fast, is mobile-optimized, and well-structured has a better chance of being surfaced in AI Overviews.
Key Technical SEO Elements to Monitor:
- Page speed and Core Web Vitals
- Mobile responsiveness and usability
- Clean, crawlable URLs with proper canonical tags
- Accurate XML sitemaps and structured data
- Internal linking and crawl budget efficiency
Regular technical audits help prevent indexing issues and ensure your content is AI-ready.
5. Build Authoritative Backlinks Naturally
AI-generated search results prioritize content from trusted, authoritative sources. That’s why link-building remains a core trust signal in SEO — and it matters just as much in the context of AI Overviews.
Strategies for Earning High-Quality Backlinks:
- Publish original research, case studies, or industry reports.
- Launch digital PR campaigns targeting niche publications and blogs.
- Network with influencers and participate in expert roundups.
- Create shareable assets like infographics or interactive tools.
Earning backlinks from high-authority domains boosts your site’s credibility and helps your content surface in AI-generated summaries.
6. Monitor Performance in AI Overviews
While no special optimization is required for inclusion, tracking how AI Overviews affect your visibility and traffic is essential. In some cases, your content may get summarized without generating clicks, especially if users find answers directly in the AI snapshot.
Metrics to Watch:
- Impressions and click-through rates (CTR) from AI Overviews
- Changes in organic traffic and engagement metrics
- SERP appearance changes over time
- Keyword ranking shifts for AI-generated queries
Use tools like Google Search Console, analytics platforms, and third-party AI visibility trackers to stay informed and adapt accordingly.
Should You Adopt New SEO Tactics Like GEO or LLMO?
The simple answer: no — not for the sake of AI Overviews alone.
There’s no need to chase trends like GEO or LLMO when your existing SEO strategy already aligns with Google’s guidelines. However, understanding how generative search works can help you create content that’s even more aligned with evolving user behavior.
Stick to building trust, value, and clarity — not buzzwords.
Final Thoughts: The SEO Fundamentals Still Win
If you’re already implementing solid SEO strategies — creating user-first content, following technical best practices, targeting intent, and building authority — you’re well-positioned for success in Google’s AI Overviews.
Instead of scrambling to reinvent your SEO playbook, keep refining what works:
- Focus on helpful content
- Maintain clear structure
- Target the right intent
- Keep your website technically optimized
- Build credibility through backlinks
AI Overviews don’t require a new SEO strategy — just a stronger commitment to the fundamentals that have always mattered.
Stay consistent, stay valuable — and your content will find its place in the evolving AI-driven search experience.
