# What are Google AI Overviews?

> Google AI Overviews are AI-written summaries at the top of some search results. What they are, which ads can show in them in India, and how to read your traffic.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-10
- **Category**: AI
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/ai-overviews

---

Google AI Overviews are short AI-written summaries at the top of some search results, with links to dig deeper. Google shows one when its systems decide generative AI can help, such as when you want to understand information from several sources ([Google Search Help](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/14901683), checked 2026-10-20).

## Where they appear

Google says they are available to all users in many countries, territories and languages. India and Hindi are on the lists.

## Ads in AI Overviews

Google's ads help page says (checked 2026-10-20):

- Text and Shopping ads from existing Search, Shopping and Performance Max campaigns can show within an AI Overview.
- Ads from Search, Shopping, Performance Max and App campaigns can show above or below it.
- Google requires broad match or keywordless targeting, such as [AI Max for Search](/glossary/ai-max-for-search), to match relevant ads.
- Ads inside AI Overviews run in English, in 12 countries that include India.
- Sensitive categories such as adult, alcohol, gambling, finance, healthcare and politics are excluded.
- There is no opt-in, and you cannot opt out.
- Google Ads does not yet offer separate reporting for ads in AI Overviews.

Read the full page at [Google Ads Help](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/16297775), because the country list can change.

## A worked example

Say your page for "best project tool for a small agency" gets these numbers in Google Search Console.

**CTR = clicks / impressions x 100**

| Month | Impressions | Clicks | CTR |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 10,000 | 800 | 8% |
| October | 10,000 | 600 | 6% |

[CTR](/glossary/ctr) fell two points. An AI Overview could be the cause. So could a ranking change or a seasonal dip. Search for the query yourself and see if an overview appears and whether it names you. Google reports AI Overviews inside the "Web" search type in Search Console, so you cannot filter them out there ([Google Search Central](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ai-features), checked 2026-10-20).

## What to do

Google says there are no additional requirements to appear in AI Overviews, and no special markup is needed. A page must be indexed and eligible to show in Search with a snippet. Write answer-first pages. See [AEO](/glossary/aeo-answer-engine-optimization). For the chat-style version of Search, see [AI Mode](/glossary/ai-mode-google).

## FAQ

### Do I need to opt in to show ads in AI Overviews?

No. Google says eligible ads can show automatically, and you cannot opt out.

### Are AI Overviews the same as AI Mode?

No. An AI Overview is a summary on the results page. AI Mode is a separate experience with follow-up questions.

### Do I need special schema to be linked in an AI Overview?

Google says no. A page must be indexed and eligible to show with a snippet.

---
- [More AI articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/category/ai)
- [All articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary)