As Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) — often referred to as the “AI Overview” — rolls out more broadly, brands are facing a new kind of SEO battlefield. Instead of vying for the top blue links, businesses now need to position themselves as trusted sources worthy of being summarized by Google’s AI.
For a lot of SEO specialists, this feature has been a massive disruption to their traditional SEO practices & results, with some reporting traffic dropping by over 50% for non-branded queries.
This shift presents a massive opportunity for visibility — but only for those who understand how to influence the content AI pulls from.
Top Sources Feeding AI Overview
Based on a recent research by Profound, early research shows that most sources of the AI overview content is pulled from user generated content (UGC) platforms, with Reddit, YouTube, and Quora dominating AI Overview results by a collective 66%.
These are user-generated, content-rich platforms where real conversations and expert insights thrive — and that’s exactly what Google’s AI prioritizes. Meaning that traditional keyword stuffing and backlinking alone won’t cut it.
So how does a brand consistently show up in Google’s AI Overview?
Let’s imagine you run a Nairobi-based musical instrument store. You don’t just want to be “findable.” You want your answers, insights, and product recommendations to be the ones featured when someone asks Google, “What’s the best beginner keyboard in Kenya?” or “Where can I buy a quality acoustic guitar in Nairobi?”
This article breaks down the strategies that can help you achieve exactly that — from building topical authority and structuring AI-friendly content, to guerrilla tactics across Reddit, YouTube, and Quora.
If your goal is to become the go-to expert in your niche and dominate AI-powered search results, read on.
What Is The Impact of AI Overview on Website Traffic and Traditional SEO Practices?
The rise of Google’s AI Overview is reshaping how users interact with search results — and, in turn, how websites earn traffic. Instead of clicking through to multiple sites, users now get instant, AI-generated summaries pulled from various sources. This means fewer clicks on traditional organic listings and a growing reliance on the content featured in AI snapshots.
For websites that appear in these overviews, the traffic can be highly qualified and conversion-ready. But for those left out, visibility may sharply decline — even if they rank on page one.
Impact on SEO Strategy
AI Overviews often bypass traditional organic rankings, pulling from sources that aren’t even on page one. This upends the classic SEO model — making it essential for brands to diversify their presence across AI-preferred platforms and tailor content specifically for machine readability.
What This Means for SEO Specialists
SEO professionals must now think beyond rankings and focus on content suitability for AI. That means:
- Creating fact-based, structured content that’s easy to extract and summarize.
- Prioritizing platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and Quora — where AI increasingly sources insights.
- Shifting from keyword targeting to intent targeting and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
In short, SEO is no longer just about being #1 in search — it’s about being the source the AI trusts enough to quote.
What Makes Content AI-Attractive?
Google’s AI Overview is powered by large language models that pull information from across the web to generate quick, summarized answers to user queries. Unlike traditional search results, which link to web pages directly, AI Overviews synthesize content — giving brands a new route to visibility, but only if their content is source-worthy.
To be consistently included in AI-generated summaries, content needs to be:
- Credible – Backed by real experience, reviews, or expert opinions.
- Concise – Easy for AI to parse, summarize, and quote.
- Structured – Marked up with schema (FAQs, How-Tos, Reviews).
- Original – Not just reworded information, but insights, data, or unique angles.
What Are the Core Pillars to Appear Consistently in AI Overviews?
To consistently show up in Google’s AI Overviews, brands must go beyond basic SEO tactics. They need to create content that is not only relevant, but also trustworthy, structured, and intentionally positioned for AI extraction. Here are the four core pillars:
1. Build Topical Authority
AI favors brands that demonstrate deep, focused expertise in their niche.
- Niche down your content — For example, our music shop can focus on string instruments and gear maintenance.
- Develop content clusters around subtopics like “Best guitars for beginners,” “How to tune a violin,” or “Electric vs. acoustic guitar: What to choose?”
- Showcase E-E-A-T — Include expert bios, verified reviews, customer testimonials, press mentions, and professional affiliations to boost credibility.
2. Create AI-Friendly Content
Your content must be structured for machines to easily read and summarize.
- Provide super direct answers: answer the query within the first 100 words of the article. Structured FAQ blocks provide an AI-friendly format of doing this.
- Use structured data (Schema.org markup) for FAQs, products, how-tos, and reviews.
- Write with clarity and precision — avoid fluff; AI models favor content that’s easy to extract and summarize.
- Include FAQs, bullet points, and definitions — these often get quoted directly in AI summaries.
3. Optimize for Search Intent
Appearing in AI Overviews requires alignment with what real users are asking.
- Research actual queries like “What’s the best beginner keyboard in Kenya?”
- Leverage tools like People Also Ask, Reddit, and Google Trends to stay ahead of search patterns.
- Use natural language and question-based headings (H2s/H3s) to mirror how people search.
4. Be the Source, Not the Summary
AI prefers original content that adds value, not regurgitated information.
- Publish case studies, proprietary data, and expert interviews — e.g., “How we helped 20 schools set up fully equipped music rooms.”
- Use videos, infographics, charts, and photos — visually enriched content is harder to replicate and more likely to be cited.
Guerrilla SEO Tactics for AI Overview
To consistently appear in Google’s AI Overview, it’s not enough to optimize your website alone. You must infiltrate the platforms where Google’s AI is actively sourcing content — and that’s where guerrilla SEO comes in.
Here’s how to tactically leverage Reddit, YouTube, Quora, and LinkedIn, four of the most cited sources in AI Overviews.
We’ll provide keener focus on Reddit for 2 reasons:
- Its positioning as “the backbone of the internet” gives it a massive preference by Perplexity.
- And comes second on ChatGPT to Wikipedia:
1. Reddit Strategy: Influence High-Intent Conversations
Reddit is the #1 non-Google source in AI Overviews. The key is to participate in authentic, high-value discussions that match real search queries.
- Find the Right Subreddits
Target communities where your audience hangs out:
- r/guitar, r/piano, r/nairobi,r/kenya, r/musictheory, r/audioengineering
- PRO TIP: Use Google search operators like:
site:reddit.com "best electric guitar for beginners"
site:reddit.com "digital piano recommendations Nairobi"
site:reddit.com "where to buy music gear in Kenya"- Seed & Answer Long-Tail Questions
Start or revive threads around long-tail, high-intent queries your ideal customers are Googling:
- “Where can I buy a good beginner guitar in Nairobi?”
- “Is a digital piano better than a keyboard for new players?”
- “Best budget music gear stores in Kenya?”
Let the threads sit for a few hours to feel organic, then…
- Respond with value:
Respond from a trusted or aged Reddit account with helpful, personal-style commentary:
“I picked up a Yamaha P-45 from XYZ Music Shop in Nairobi earlier this year. Not the cheapest, but solid value. Staff knew their stuff and even helped with setup. I found this breakdown super helpful when I was researching → [link to your blog post].”
Tone must be real, relatable, and non-promotional.
- Keep the tone casual and real.
- Avoid pushing your brand — credibility comes first.
- Upvote and Engage Strategically
- Use multiple Reddit accounts to upvote your answer and keep the thread alive.
- Comment on others’ replies to boost thread activity.
- Answer questions.
- Stick to the 70/30 rule: 70% value, 30% brand mention.
- Create Reddit-Specific Content Hubs
Reddit links get indexed and are often featured in AI Overviews. Create posts that are:
- Insightful
- First-hand
- Keyword-aligned
Use Reddit-friendly titles like:
“How I Set Up My First Home Studio in Nairobi on a Student Budget (Gear List Included)”
Pro tip: Avoid URL shorteners — use full, readable domains.
6. Track Threads That Rank on Google
Search for Reddit threads that show up in Google for music gear queries.
Even if a post is old, comment with:
- Updated insights
- Personal experience
- A blog link with deeper info
This keeps the thread alive and reinforces AI trust.
- Crosslink for Trust Signals
Embed high-value Reddit threads in your blog posts:
“Here’s a Reddit discussion where musicians share their top beginner keyboards.”
Google values these bidirectional signals across platforms.
- Bonus Hack: Crosslink from Blog → Reddit
Embed relevant Reddit threads into your blog content to create cross-platform validation.
“See what other musicians are saying about entry-level keyboards on this Reddit thread.”
This signals authority to Google and helps unify your digital footprint.
2. YouTube Strategy: Answer Real Questions Visually
YouTube is the second-most sourced platform for AI Overviews — especially for “how-to,” product comparison, and expert advice content.
Post Micro-Videos (1–3 Minutes)
Answer common search questions with short, focused videos:
- “Best budget electric guitars in Nairobi – 2025 update”
- “Digital piano vs. keyboard – What’s better for beginners?”
Use natural language, keep the tone educational, and deliver value fast.
Interlink with Blog & Reddit
- Drop blog links and relevant Reddit threads in the description.
- Mention your blog in the video (“We’ve listed 5 models in more detail on our blog — link below”).
Bonus Edge:
Interview a local music teacher or store owner for added expertise — Google’s AI prioritizes first-hand and expert content.
3. Quora Strategy: Dominate Long-Form Answers That Rank
Quora ranks highly in Google’s AI Overview due to its depth, personal tone, and evergreen content format. It’s a prime space to insert detailed, keyword-rich narratives that AI loves to summarize.
Find High-Ranking Threads
Search for existing questions with high visibility and traffic:
- “What are the best musical instruments for beginners?”
- “How do I choose between a keyboard and a digital piano?”
- Use Google:
site:quora.com "best music instruments for beginners"Write Story-Based, Value-Rich Answers
Don’t sell — narrate.
“We recently helped a Nairobi school upgrade their music lab. Here’s what we learned about choosing affordable but durable keyboards for students…”
- Include real use cases, product comparisons, and local pricing.
- End with a soft CTA:
“We wrote a full guide on this — feel free to check it out [link].”
Boost Visibility
- Upvote your own answers using alternate or team accounts.
- Comment to keep the answer active and updated.
Repurpose Across Platforms
Reuse the same content format on Reddit, blog posts, and LinkedIn articles to maximize content mileage and AI visibility.
4. LinkedIn Strategy: Win the B2B and Expert Credibility Game
LinkedIn may not be the first platform you associate with AI Overview, but it’s a trusted source for expert-level insights, especially in B2B, education, and product procurement contexts.
Post Insights That Speak to Decision-Makers
Focus on practical, industry-relevant content like:
- “5 Mistakes Schools Make When Choosing Music Equipment — And How to Avoid Them”
- “Essential Music Room Setup Checklist for Kenyan Schools in 2025”
Add value with visuals, product examples, and pro tips.
Tag & Engage
- Mention music teachers, education consultants, school admins, and suppliers.
- Engage in relevant comment threads — the more interaction, the more visibility (and credibility).
Repurpose Content as Downloadable Guides
Convert checklists or listicles into PDF guides, and embed or reference them on Reddit, Quora, and your blog. AI values content that’s referenced across trusted, multi-format sources.
How to Build Authority on Premium Platforms
While guerrilla tactics and user-generated platforms help gain visibility, long-term credibility comes from being cited by high-authority sources. Google’s AI Overview gives weight to trusted publications and verified sources — making authority-building a crucial layer in your strategy.
Leverage HARO, Qwoted and B2B Outreach
Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out),Qwoted and similar platforms to get quoted in relevant industry articles. Pitch expert insights that tie back to your niche (e.g., “Trends in music education tools” or “How school music programs can scale affordably”).
- Aim for mentions in reputable media, trade blogs, and B2B platforms.
- Repurpose those mentions as trust signals across your content.
Explore Wikipedia and Local Business Blogs
Getting cited or linked from Wikipedia pages related to your industry can reinforce your topical authority. While direct editing is tricky, collaborating with credible editors or contributing through notable partnerships is effective.
Also, reach out to local business blogs, music forums, and niche publications — these often get syndicated or scraped by AI crawlers.
Crosslink Across Platforms for Trust Signals
AI rewards content that appears consistently across platforms. Reinforce your authority by linking between:
- YouTube videos and Reddit threads
- Quora answers and blog content
- Blog posts and Reddit/Quora discussions
This creates a web of relevance that helps Google’s AI see your brand as a reliable, multi-platform source.
Example Playbook: Music Shop in Nairobi
To succeed in Google’s AI Overview, your strategy must be multi-platform, content-rich, and deeply aligned with real user intent.
Here’s how our Nairobi-based musical instrument shop can bring everything together into a unified, AI-optimized content ecosystem:
Blog Pillar
Title: “Complete Guide to Choosing Your First Guitar in Kenya”
A comprehensive, evergreen article that covers types of guitars, pricing, local availability, and expert tips. Structured with FAQs, internal links, and product comparisons — perfect for AI to extract from.
Reddit Thread
Post: “Best beginner guitars for under Ksh 20,000?”
Seeded in r/guitar or r/nairobi or r/musictheory, answered authentically with a personal tone:
“I started learning on a Yamaha F310 I got from XYZ Music Shop in Nairobi — decent sound and under budget. This guide helped me pick it → [blog link].”
YouTube Video
Title: “Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar – What’s Best for Starters?”
A 2-minute explainer comparing pros and cons, ideal for first-time buyers. Include a link to the blog post in the video description and mention it verbally for cross-channel reinforcement.
Quora Answer
Question: “How do I learn guitar in Nairobi with no teacher?”
Answer shares a real story or customer experience, links back to the blog:
“Here’s what worked for me: self-paced YouTube tutorials, daily practice, and starting with a reliable entry-level guitar from XYZ Music Shop…”
LinkedIn Post
Title: “How Music Shops Can Support Kenya’s CBC Curriculum Rollout”
Targeted post outlining how music stores can equip schools with compliant, affordable instruments. Tag educators, school heads, and music instructors. Include stats, photos, and a link to your guide or case study.
Best Tools for Tracking AI Overviews
- SE Ranking: Agency-level SEO software providing essential tools to master SEO
- RankShift: AI brand visibility tracking tool
- Enfra for LLMs:This free Chrome extension helps you analyze your content and the AI Overview for a keyword, and then get suggestions to optimize your content for the AI Overview.
Final Tips & Action Plan
Success in Google’s AI Overview doesn’t come from a one-time effort — it’s a continuous, adaptive strategy. As AI evolves, so must your content and engagement approach. Here’s how to stay ahead:
- Stay Consistent Across Platforms
Regularly publish and engage on Reddit, YouTube, Quora, LinkedIn, and your blog. Consistency helps build authority and keeps your brand visible across multiple touchpoints.
- Monitor AI Overview Mentions Weekly
Track which content types, threads, or posts are being cited in AI Overviews. Identify patterns — what tone, structure, or platform is working — and replicate success.
- Lead With Value, Then Brand
Keep your content mix at around 70% valuable, non-promotional content and 30% brand integration. Focus on solving problems, answering questions, and sharing real experiences.
- Track Backlinks and Optimize for AI Inclusion
Use tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs to monitor where your content is being linked from or cited. Optimize high-performing assets with updated data, clearer structure, and additional crosslinks to improve their chances of being picked up by AI.