Google is changing the way search works by adding AI-generated summaries called “AI Overviews.” These summaries appear at the top of some search results and give quick answers to user questions. Now, Google is also showing ads inside these AI Overviews.
This change affects how marketers run their ad campaigns and how users see ads. In this article, we will explain what AI Overviews are, how ads are placed in them, and how marketers can use this new feature to their advantage.
What Are Google AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are short answers created by artificial intelligence. When someone searches for a question, Google may show a summary at the top of the page, before regular search results. These summaries use information from different websites to create a helpful response.
AI Overviews are part of Google’s goal to make search results quicker and easier to understand.
Introduction of Ads in AI Overviews
In 2024, Google announced that it would start adding ads into AI Overviews. These ads can come from existing campaigns such as:
- Search campaigns
- Shopping campaigns
- Performance Max campaigns
- App campaigns
The ads are shown based on how relevant they are to the user’s search and the AI-generated summary.
Where Do the Ads Appear?
Ads in AI Overviews can appear in three places:
- Above the AI Overview – These are shown before the AI summary.
- Within the AI Overview – These are placed right inside the summary.
- Below the AI Overview – These are displayed after the summary.
For each search, only one ad placement is used to avoid overloading the user with too many ads.
Who Is Eligible to Show Ads in AI Overviews?
If you already run Google Ads, you don’t need to do anything special. Your ads may automatically show in AI Overviews if:
- Your campaign is active and targeting the relevant keywords
- Your ad matches the user’s search intent
- You follow Google’s ad policies
Right now, ads inside AI Overviews are only available in English and only in the United States. Google plans to expand this soon.
How Google Selects and Ranks These Ads
Google uses its usual ad ranking system. Here’s how it works:
- Broad match keywords often trigger ads in AI Overviews.
- If both exact and broad match keywords apply, Google will prefer exact match for placements above or below AI Overviews.
- Google also considers your ad relevance, quality score, and landing page experience.
How This Affects Marketers
This new feature can help your ads get more views because they appear in top positions. Here are the benefits:
- Higher visibility
- Better chances of getting clicks
- New space for reaching potential customers
However, there are some challenges:
- No special reports yet to track AI Overview ad performance
- You cannot choose or avoid this placement
Best Practices for Marketers
Here’s how you can prepare your campaigns:
- Use broad match keywords but with smart targeting.
- Write clear, helpful ad copy that matches search intent.
- Keep your landing page relevant and fast to load.
- Track performance manually using general search campaign data.
What’s Next for AI Overviews?
Google plans to:
- Expand to more languages and countries
- Add better reporting tools
- Include Gemini AI features to improve search experiences
This means you should stay updated and adjust your strategies as Google adds more AI tools.
Conclusion
AI Overviews and ad placements inside them are changing the way people interact with search results. For marketers, this is a new way to connect with users early in their search journey. If you follow best practices and stay informed, you can use this update to improve your ad performance.
