Google AI Overviews are AI-written summaries that appear at the top of some Google search results, with links to the web pages they draw from. Google says there is no special technical requirement to appear in them: a page must be indexed and eligible to show in Google Search with a snippet, and normal SEO best practices apply. For Nigerian businesses, that means strong SEO is also the way into AI Overviews.
By Eniola Adeleke, Tech Researcher, AD Technologies Limited, an AI technology company in Lagos · Updated September 2026
What Google AI Overviews Are
An AI Overview is a short answer generated by Google’s Gemini models, shown above the normal results for some searches. It summarises information from several web pages and links to them as sources. Google’s related AI Mode offers a longer, conversational version of the same idea.
When AI Overviews Appear in Nigerian Searches
AI Overviews do not appear for every search. In our own checks of Nigerian Google results in September 2026, an AI Overview appeared for the informational search “generative engine optimization” but not for the buying search “SEO company in Lagos”, which instead showed a Google Maps list and normal results.
Question searches
“What is…”, “how to…” and “how much does…” searches are more likely to show an AI Overview. Guides and FAQ content compete here.
Local buying searches
“[Service] in Lagos” searches often lead with Google Maps. Your Google Business Profile and reviews compete here.
What Google Officially Says
Google’s guidance on AI features and your website sets out the main rules:
- No special markup is required. There is no extra file or tag that gets a page into AI Overviews.
- Pages must be indexed and snippet-eligible. If Google cannot index a page or show a snippet of it, it cannot be a supporting link.
- Normal SEO best practices apply. Crawlable pages, helpful content, good page experience and structured data that matches visible content.
- Snippet controls also apply. Settings such as nosnippet limit how your content can be used in AI Overviews, just as they do for normal snippets.
How to Improve Your Chances of Being Cited
- Get indexed. Verify your site in Google Search Console, submit your sitemap and fix indexing errors.
- Answer the question early. Put a clear, direct answer in the first two sentences under a heading that matches the question.
- Use Nigerian specifics. Prices in naira, cities, regulations and examples that generic foreign pages cannot offer.
- Structure the page. Headings, numbered steps, tables and FAQs make information easy to extract.
- Show who you are. Company details, author information and dated updates support trust.
- Keep it current. Update prices and facts, and show the last-updated date.
How to Track AI Overview Traffic
Google includes clicks and impressions from AI Overviews in the normal Performance report in Search Console, without a separate filter. Track the pages and questions where you appear, and search your key questions yourself each month to see whether your pages are cited.
Why Isn’t Google’s AI Mentioning My Business?
Gemini, AI Overviews and AI Mode draw on Google’s own index and on Google Business Profiles. If your pages are not indexed, do not rank in normal results, or your Google Maps profile is missing or incomplete, Google’s AI rarely names you. Start by checking why your website is not showing on Google and completing your Google Business Profile. For every cause and fix across all AI assistants, read why AI doesn’t mention your business.
AI Overviews and Other AI Assistants
AI Overviews are one part of AI search. ChatGPT, Perplexity and Microsoft Copilot use their own systems, which is where generative engine optimization (GEO) comes in. See also how to get your business recommended by ChatGPT.
Google AI Overviews: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay to appear in AI Overviews?
No. The organic sources in an AI Overview cannot be bought. Ads may appear separately and are labelled as sponsored.
Do I need special code for AI Overviews?
No. Google states that no extra markup is needed. Pages must be indexed and eligible for a snippet in Google Search.
Do AI Overviews reduce website traffic?
For some simple questions, people read the summary and do not click. Being one of the cited sources keeps your business visible and brings the clicks that do happen.
Is optimising for AI Overviews different from SEO?
Mostly not. Google says the same SEO best practices apply. The difference is focus: clear answers, structure and Nigerian specifics that make your page the best source to cite.
See Where You Stand in AI Search
Send us three questions your customers ask. We will check Google, AI Overviews and AI assistants, and show you who gets cited.
Our service: AI SEO agency in Nigeria