This year, Google has made waves by rebranding Search Generative Experience (SGE) to AI Overviews. Scratching your head wondering what that means for SEO? You’re not alone. The world of search is evolving at breakneck speed, and businesses need to keep up.
In this blog, we’ll break down the shift from SGE to AI overviews, the key differences between the two and how you can optimise your content for AI overviews with the help of our award-winning team here at Creative Ideaz.
What is SGE (Search Generative Experience)?
Before Google’s rebrand, SGE was Google’s AI-driven feature that summarised content directly in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). This was a leap from the traditional blue links to offering users quick, AI-generated answers to their search queries. Instead of having to click on multiple search results, users could get everything they needed right there, in a neat summary.
The goal of SGE was to give users fast answers which aligned with the increasing demand for immediate and digestible content. The feature combined multiple sources and displayed them in a way that felt like a tailored response to the user’s query. If you had content ranking well for a particular search, there was a good chance your page would contribute to those AI-generated answers.
The Shift: From SGE to AI Overviews
Now, in 2025, Google has rebranded SGE to AI overviews, and it’s not just a change in name – there's a deeper shift going on in how search results are being delivered.
AI overviews now provide a broader, more integrated experience. Rather than just pulling in a few text-based answers, AI overviews summarise content from multiple sources (including text, images, and videos) to create a more comprehensive answer to users’ queries.
For example, a search for something like “Best places to visit in the UK” might generate an AI overview that pulls together recommendations, travel tips, and visual content like photos and maps all in one go.
This shift reflects Google’s push toward AI-powered search experiences that cater to a world where users demand faster and more relevant answers.
Key Differences Between AI Overviews and SGE
1. Nature of results:
SGE:
Focused on text-based summaries, providing users with a straightforward answer to a specific question.
AI overviews:
Now deliver multi-modal results, combining texts, images, and videos, to offer users a richer, more dynamic experience in the search results.
2. Content generation:
SGE:
Summarised answers drawn from text-based content, focusing on providing clear, direct answers to relatively straightforward queries.
AI overviews:
Enhanced by multi-source content and cross-modal capabilities. Google’s AI can now generate responses based on a variety of content types to offer a deeper, more nuanced answer to complex queries.
3. Impact on search results:
SGE:
Encouraged users to click through on links for additional details.
AI overviews:
Now offer answers directly within the search results, reducing the need for users to click on multiple sources. This changes the way content is presented, as the AI takes the spotlight, and your traditional rankings may be pushed down the page.
How to Optimise Your Content for AI Overviews
Answer intent-driven queries:
Focus on answering user questions directly and in detail. The more comprehensive and precise your content, the better the chances of appearing in an AI overview.
Use structured data:
Google’s AI loves content that’s easy to understand. Structured data, such as FAQ formats, clear headers, and schema markup, can help your content get featured in AI-generated responses.
Build authority:
To get your content summarised in an AI overview, you need to prove your expertise. Cite authoritative sources, provide expert insights, and make sure your content stands out as a trusted resource.
No fluff, just facts:
Google’s AI is all about value. Your content should be concise, informative, and free from any unnecessary filler. If it doesn’t serve the needs of the user, it likely won’t make the cut for an AI overview.
How Can Creative Ideaz Help?
With Google’s AI overviews changing the way content gets noticed, you need to rethink your SEO strategy. Here at Creative Ideaz, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve by optimising your content for AI-driven search results. From structured data to creating authoritative, intent-focused content, our dynamic team of trailblazers has the expertise to get your brand’s content featured in these AI summaries.
Are you ready to navigate this shift in search? Reach out to Creative Ideaz today, and let’s tailor your content strategy to excel in the age of AI overviews.
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