How AI Is Changing SEO and What You Can Do About It

The last Google core update caused major shifts in search results. Some websites saw a sudden spike in traffic, while others were almost completely wiped out. It felt like the usual SEO rules no longer applied to many content creators and businesses—even those working with an experienced SEO company.

Now, there’s a new twist: Google AI Overviews—also known as Search Generative Experience (SGE). This feature uses artificial intelligence to generate instant summaries right at the top of the search page. Interestingly, it now pulls more information from user-driven platforms like Reddit and Quora, highlighting real conversations and reviews rather than just the usual list of websites.

So, what does this mean for your content?

To stay visible, it’s no longer enough to just optimize for keywords. You need to focus on search intent and what real users actually want. AI Overviews selects content that directly answers questions—clearly, quickly, and in a way that makes users feel genuinely helped. Whether you’re creating content on your own or working with an SEO company In Ahmedabad, aligning with this approach is essential for future-proof visibility.

                                                      Table of Content 

1. What Is Google’s SGE and Why Does It Matter?

2. Introducing AI: A New Era in SEO

3. How AI Helps You Bridge the SEO Gap

4. How AI Is Changing SEO And What That Means for Your Content

5. Can AI Guarantee You’ll Show Up in AI Overviews? Let’s Be Real.

6. The Future of SEO in an AI-First World: What’s Changing

7. Final Thoughts

1. What Is Google’s SGE and Why Does It Matter?

Search Generative Experience (SGE)-

also known as AI Overviews is a fresh feature that displays instant AI-generated summaries at the top of the search results page.

Say you type a question into Google, such as “What’s the best way to clean a kitchen chimney?” Rather than piling up a bunch of blue links, Google’s AI now serves up a full meal on the search results page harvested from various websites, forums and reviews. You don’t even have to click on anything to see the details.

That’s changed a lot from how search used to work.

Fewer Clicks, More Summarising

This was the world before SGE: people had to click links, visit sites, read articles to find answers. Now, the A.I. gives them a summary in seconds. This is all great for users, but can be frustrating to content creators.

If nobody clicks onto your website anymore, how are you going to be seen?

What This Means for SEO

This has an immediate SEO implication:

Less search traffic: If your work isn’t included in the AI Overview, it won’t even be seen by many people.

Should you aim to be an answer?: Google is drawing from sources like Reddit, Quora and actual user reviews now, so you’re not just competing with other websites, but with community discussions.

Heightened bar for visibility: You’re only going to see the exceptionally clear and useful and reliable stuff chosen by the AI.

That’s why being included in these summaries is emerging as the new SEO goal. And that’s where working with a knowledgeable digital marketing agency can make a difference—helping you understand and adapt to the new AI-first approach to visibility.

2. Introducing AI: A New Era in SEO

<h3>Less search traffic: If your work isn’t included in the AI Overview, it won’t even be seen by many people.

<h3>Should you aim to be an answer?: Google is drawing from sources like Reddit, Quora and actual user reviews now, so you’re not just competing with other websites, but with community discussions.

Heightened bar for visibility:

You’re only going to see the exceptionally clear and useful and reliable stuff chosen by the AI.

That’s why being included in these summaries is emerging as the new SEO goal. It’s not enough to compete simply for the top 10 results, since the AI is its own filter as well as its own source.

Ai is no longer just a backend tool, it now assists in interpreting search intent, in producing summaries and determining what content surfaces first. That is, in order for your content to stay visible, it has to serve a purpose beyond ranking for keywords: It should provide real solutions to your readers’ questions, align with user intent and be structured well enough for artificial intelligence to comprehend and present in its search responses.

In short, SEO is evolving. And AI is leading the charge.

Why Traditional SEO Isn’t Enough Anymore

Why SEO Isn’t Enough Anymore Traditional?

In the past, SEO used to be all about nailing the correct keywords, slaving over backlinks and making sure your website is fast. Sure, those things still matter, but they’re no longer enough.

With SGE, Google’s AI is searching for content that:

Clearly answers a question

Is easy to summarise

Feels trustworthy and helpful

Covers a topic in depth

You’re writing for humans and AI now.

It’s not just about keywords, it’s about understanding intent. Know what people mean, not just what they type. Write with empathy. Think with precision.

3. How AI Helps You Close the SEO Gap

AI tools are changing how we create content. They help you:

• Understand what people are really looking for
• Organise your content so it’s clear and helpful
• Cover whole topics, not just single keywords
• Write in a way that both search engines and real people can understand

In short, AI helps you create content that connects with both humans and the smart search engines they rely on.

4. How AI Is Changing SEO And What That Means for Your Content

Search engines now use AI to focus on meaning, intent and usefulness, not just keywords. To stay visible, your content needs to be clear, helpful and trustworthy. Here’s how to keep up:

1. Structure Matters

AI prefers content that’s easy to scan using clear headings, bullet points and direct answers. Well-organised content is more likely to be featured.

2. Show Real Expertise

Go deeper than surface-level info. Cover full topics, add helpful links and build around themes. Google values content that shows experience and trust.

3. Focus on Intent

Don’t just chase keywords and answer real questions. Write naturally, use related terms and think about what your audience truly wants to know.

4. Stay One Step Ahead

There’s no guaranteed way to get featured, but you can improve your chances. Use tools, check top-performing pages and learn from what works in places like Reddit or Quora.

In short: Write for real people, stay useful and let AI do the rest.

5. Can AI Guarantee You’ll Show Up in AI Overviews? Let’s Be Real.

AI tools are powerful, but let’s be honest:
No tool or expert can promise your content will appear in Google’s AI Overviews.

Why? Because AI Overviews are dynamic. They update constantly, pull from many signals and use systems we don’t fully see.

So What Can You Do?

While there’s no magic formula, you can boost your chances. AI tools can help you:

• Write clear answers to real questions
  
• Organise your content with headings and bullet points
  
• Cover related topics for depth
  
• Keep content fresh and trustworthy
  

These won’t guarantee inclusion, but they do align with what Google’s AI tends to favor.

What Likely Matters to Google’s AI:

• Relevance: Does it match the search intent?
  
• Freshness: Is it up to date?
  
• Clarity: Is it well-structured and easy to read?
  
• Credibility: Is it from a trusted or expert source?
  
• Engagement: Do people actually spend time on it?
  

You can’t force your way into AI Overviews, but by creating helpful, high-quality content, you’re giving Google every reason to include you.

6. The Future of SEO in an AI-First World: What’s Changing

The way we approach SEO is shifting fast. With AI tools like Google’s AI Overviews, it’s no longer just about using the right keywords, it’s about providing clear, helpful answers to real questions. Search engines are getting better at understanding intent, which means content needs to be more than just optimised; it needs to be useful.  

Instead of writing for algorithms, creators now need to write like humans, for humans, while still keeping AI in mind. That means sounding natural, covering topics fully and anticipating what readers might want next. The goal is to be both informative and easy to understand.

This shift has introduced a new mindset: Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO). It’s about helping AI use your content directly in search results, not just helping Google find your page. To succeed in this AI-first world, content has to be clear, complete and genuinely helpful, for both machines and people. 

Final Thoughts

When you write clearly, answer real questions and organise your content well, you’re making it easier for both people and search engines to understand and trust what you’re saying.

Google’s AI Overviews aren’t just another feature, they signal a real shift in how search works. It’s no longer about keyword stuffing. It’s about being genuinely helpful, relevant and human.

AI is changing how content gets found, read and trusted. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, the takeaway is the same: focus on value, not just visibility.

Partnering with the right SEO company can help you create content that connects with both your audience and the algorithms.