AI Overviews Update: Poised to Reshape Search in Australia.

2. Sponsored Listings Still Dominate 

Despite AI Overviews, paid search (sponsored listings) continues to occupy prime real estate at the top of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). In most examples observed, up to four paid listings appear before any organic results or AI Overviews.  

However, it is also worth noting that, at the time of writing (Wednesday, 2nd October), there are no paid results directly within the AIO responses.

3. The Structure of Results 

Following the sponsored ads, AI Overviews are displayed in a condensed format with an option to expand. The first organic result, known as the featured snippet, appears next, followed by the "People Also Ask" section. Only after these elements do the traditional organic results become visible. 

In one of the more extreme cases, multiple SERP features—including AI Overviews—were triggered at once. 

Citations and Content Contributors in AI Overviews

Early on, one concern was whether AI Overviews would provide proper citations. However, expanded views of certain results have shown that citations are prominently displayed. The primary contributors to the content are listed on the right-hand side of the AI Overview box, with the option to expand the list to view up to 10 sources. Clicking on specific sections of text dynamically changes the list to reflect the contributors for that portion of the answer. 

Click here to see the full image for paid listings dominating SERPs

Interestingly, in the examples reviewed, the source of the featured snippet immediately following the AI Overview is often not the same as the top contributor to the overview itself. However, all cited sources in the AI Overview are typically first-page listings on traditional SERPs.

For example, Allianz appears as the primary contributor in the AI Overview for a query on comprehensive car insurance, despite not being listed in any individual section of the response.  This suggests a preference for high-authority service providers with answers to all parts of the query, even when other sources offer more accurate answers to individual parts of the query. Additionally, there seems to be a bias toward featuring service providers over comparison sites or informational sources. In all reviewed cases, sources like Reddit are excluded altogether from the cited contributors. 

Click here to see the full image for content contributors

Click here to see the full image of expanded AI overview with citations

What’s Next for AI Overviews?

As AI Overviews continue to evolve and become more accessible, the search landscape will undoubtedly shift for brands and digital marketers. One of the biggest challenges this new feature presents is reporting. Google Search Console currently tracks all links in the AI Overview as a single position, making it more difficult to discern the true impact on search rankings. 

The Importance of Partnering with a Digital Agency

With AI Overviews poised to become a significant part of the search experience in Australia, it’s more important than ever for businesses to understand how this feature will affect their paid and organic search efforts. Partnering with a capable digital agency, such as Resolution Digital, can help brands navigate these changes.  

As AI Overviews expand, staying ahead of the curve will be essential for maintaining visibility in an increasingly competitive search landscape.