How to Optimize for Google AI Overviews Using Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
Quick Summary
If you want your blog to show up in Google’s AI Overviews, you’ll need more than good content. You’ll need smart content designed for how AI thinks, scans, and selects. That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)comes in.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
What GEO is and why it matters for AI search
How to structure your blog for Google AI Overviews
Proven strategies to boost visibility, from schema to backlinks
Let’s make your content impossible to ignore…
What Is GEO and Why Does It Matter?
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is a content strategy tailored to how AI search systems—like Google’s AI Overviews—digest, rank, and present information.
AI Overviews summarise top search results into concise answers, often citing high-quality, clearly structured content. Optimising for GEO means adapting your blog so it can be selected, parsed, and quoted by AI engines.
How Do You Get Featured in Google AI Overviews?
Let’s break down the essential components:
1. Demonstrate Real Expertise (E-E-A-T)
Google prioritises content that shows Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Include personal insights, case studies, or original research.
Cite reputable sources like Google, HubSpot, or Search Engine Land.
Build a strong author bio with credentials or notable work in SEO or AI.
💡 Example: “In testing FAQ schema on 10 blog posts, I saw a 22% increase in impressions in AI Overviews.”
2. Use Structured Data Markup (Schema)
Schema helps AI understand your content faster.
Add FAQPage, HowTo, or Article schema.
Use Google’s Rich Results Test to validate your markup.
Include schema for images, authorship, and publishing dates.
📌 Recommended: JSON-LD format is clean and preferred by Google.
3. Answer Questions Clearly and Early
AI Overviews love structured content that answers questions fast.
Use question-based H2s like “What is GEO and how does it work?”
Give a crisp answer in the first 2–3 sentences below each heading.
Expand with examples, lists, or short paragraphs.
🧠 Think like an AI: If your answer fits in a box, you’re on the right track.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Optimise Your Blog for GEO
Step 1: Target Long-Tail, Intent-Rich Keywords
Go after keywords that mimic natural language search, such as:
“How to optimise blog posts for Google AI Overviews”
“Best GEO strategy for content creators”
Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Google’s Keyword Planner. Prioritise informational intent.
Step 2: Structure Content for Scannability
Make your blog a dream for AI scanners:
H1: Clear title with main keyword
H2s: Question-based, informational
Bullet points, short paragraphs, clear flow
Internal links to other relevant blogs
External links to high-authority sources
👉 Use subheadings to chunk information and guide readers—and AI—through your content.
Step 3: Nail Technical SEO
Google’s AI still needs your site to load quickly and work on mobile:
Compress images and use alt text
Use clean HTML (avoid heavy JavaScript)
Secure your site with HTTPS
Submit XML sitemaps and fix crawl issues in Google Search Console
📱 Mobile-friendliness is non-negotiable: 77% of AI-triggered results are mobile-first.
Step 4: Earn Backlinks and Authority
AI prioritises trusted voices. Build that trust with:
Guest posts on SEO or tech blogs
Sharing your content on Reddit, X, and LinkedIn
Engaging in forums or podcasts that AI might crawl
🤀 Mentioned or cited = more likely to be surfaced by AI Overviews.
Step 5: Add Multimedia for Context and Engagement
Include original images, diagrams, or infographics.
Use alt text with keywords.
Transcribe any video content.
🎥 AI engines like Gemini and Perplexity use video transcripts, so make your visual content readable and indexable.
Step 6: Keep Content Fresh and Relevant
Update regularly with:
New data or Google updates (e.g. Gemini 2.0 changes from May 2025)
More recent examples or case studies
Improved structure or readability
🔄 Google loves updated posts—it’s one of the clearest signals of relevance.
Example in Action: How Complete Physio Uses GEO to Drive AI Visibility
Complete Physio, a London-based physiotherapy clinic, successfully applied GEO principles to increase their visibility in AI-generated search results. By restructuring their blog posts with FAQ schema, using clear H2 questions like “Is shockwave therapy effective for tendon injuries?”, and integrating practitioner quotes, they positioned themselves as a trusted source.
“Our goal is to give people real, practical advice. We write with clarity, cite evidence, and make sure Google can read it, because if the AI gets it, people will too,” says John Isaacson, digital strategy John Isaacson Digital.
Their post on Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis now appears in both traditional organic results and AI Overviews, thanks to tight alignment with GEO best practices.
FAQs: Google AI Overviews and GEO
What is the difference between SEO and GEO?
SEO focuses on ranking in traditional search results. GEO is about getting featured in AI-generated summaries like Google’s AI Overviews. The structure, tone, and schema matter more for GEO.
Do backlinks still matter for AI Overviews?
Yes. While AI prioritises quality content, authority signals like backlinks still play a crucial role.
Can social media help?
Indirectly. Content shared on X or Reddit can earn backlinks or get cited by other blogs, which boosts your authority in the eyes of AI.
Final Thoughts: GEO Is the New SEO
If traditional SEO got you on the search page, GEO gets you into the AI spotlight. Think of it as search for 2025 and beyond—fast, fact-focused, and content-first.
To give your content the best shot:
Write clear, structured, high-quality blogs
Use schema and mobile-friendly formatting
Promote strategically and update often
Start optimising not just for people—but for the AI that serves them.
📣 Ready to get your blog AI-ready?
Start by updating your next post with schema markup and question-based headings. Then share it with your network and track performance in Google Search Console.
