SEO and AI guide

How AI search and Google AI Overviews change SEO in smaller markets

Last updated: October 2026 · Author: Sarah Johanna Ferara

Google's AI-based search (SGE, now AI Overviews) and AI summaries fundamentally change how companies stay visible online. Traditional SEO is no longer enough; a new approach is needed.

In this guide we analyze how AI search engines affect smaller markets, why GEO optimization has become essential, and which practical steps you can take right away.

40%+
of searches start in AI (industry estimates)
12 min
reading time
2026
updated
Table of contents Consultation
Part 1

What is SGE and how does it work?

Search Generative Experience (SGE) is Google's AI-based feature, now known as AI Overviews, that changes traditional search completely.

SGE, Search Generative Experience, is Google's AI-based search feature that generates a summarized AI answer at the top of the search results. Instead of showing only ten blue links, Google creates a so-called AI Overview: a combined answer based on several sources.

As of 2026 Google's AI Overviews are available in over 100 countries and languages. In smaller languages the AI Overview is not yet at full scale, but it already affects English-language search, which many companies in smaller markets rely on.

How does SGE work in practice?

Maison Mint tip: Every company should already be watching how its content appears in AI Overviews. Start by searching your main keywords in Google and checking whether an AI Overview appears. Talk to usto get a personal audit.
Part 2

How AI search affects companies in smaller markets

AI search engines reduce organic traffic and fundamentally change user behavior.

In smaller digital markets the following effects are already visible: a drop in organic traffic of up to 30 to 40% for certain queries, because users get the answer straight from the AI Overview. It especially affects informational queries such as "how to...", "what is..." and "best..." (industry estimates).

Beyond Google, more and more consumers and business users turn directly to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude to find information about products, services and companies. That means traditional SEO optimization alone no longer secures enough visibility.

The effect by sector

Sector
Level of AI effect
Recommended action
E-commerce
High
GEO + structured data
B2B services
Medium to high
Expert content + E-E-A-T
Local services
Medium
Local SEO + reviews
SaaS and technology
High
GEO + comparison content

AI search has an especially large effect on e-commerce companies, where product recommendations and comparisons are increasingly generated directly on the search results page.

Part 3

SEO vs GEO: what the difference is and why both are needed

Traditional SEO and the new GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) complement each other; success requires both.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on optimizing a website for traditional search engines: keywords, backlinks, technical optimization and content quality. It stays important, but on its own it is not enough.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is a new discipline focused on optimizing content for AI-based search engines. It means your content has to be trustworthy, structured and informative enough for the AI to cite it and recommend it to users.

The main differences

Maison Mint tip: Maison Mint unites SEO and GEO optimization into one complete strategy. If you want to know how AI search affects your field, book a free consultation.
Part 4

Practical steps for SEO in the AI era

Concrete actions every company can apply right away to stay competitive in an AI-driven search world.

1. Create expert-status content (E-E-A-T)

Google's AI Overviews prefer content that shows experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). That means a real expert with a name, photo and background has to stand behind every article.

2. Use structured data

Schema.org markup helps AI understand and categorize your content better. Use at least the Article, FAQPage, HowTo and Organization schemas. It raises the probability that your content is cited in AI answers.

3. Answer questions directly

AI Overviews are generated most often for question-based queries. Structure your content so that every question is followed by a clear, concise answer in the first paragraph, then deeper explanations.

4. Highlight unique data

AI prefers to cite sources that offer unique information: original research, case studies based on your own experience, statistics and expert assessments. Rewritten content offers AI nothing new.

5. Optimize for several channels

Beyond Google, monitor your visibility in ChatGPT, Perplexity and other AI tools. Social media content and email marketing help build brand-wide awareness that AI systems take into account.

Maison Mint tip: Start with a review: check whether your main keywords generate AI Overviews in Google. If yes, it is time to act. If not, it is time to prepare. Either way, get in touch and we build a plan.
Part 5

Optimizing content for AI Overviews

Concrete content strategies that raise the probability of AI systems citing your content.

AI Overviews do not pick sources at random. Google's AI prefers content that is fact-based, well structured and from a trusted source. Here are the main principles to follow:

Write "AI-friendly" content

Content formats that work in the AI era

The best performers in AI Overviews are thorough guides (like this article), FAQ sections, comparison tables and step-by-step guides. Simple news and superficial articles are less attractive to AI.

The basis of a successful content strategy is strong B2B content marketingthat combines expert articles, case studies and practical guides. Paid advertising also helps secure visibility in areas where AI Overviews reduce organic traffic.

Maison Mint tip: Create at least one thorough guide (2,000+ words) for each of your main services or products, answering all the common questions in that field. It is the best way to stay visible in AI Overviews.
Part 6

Technical SEO in the AI era

Technical optimization is the foundation of AI-era SEO; without it even the best content never reaches the AI Overviews.

AI search engines scan and index websites much like Google's traditional crawler, but there are important differences. Here are the main technical aspects to pay attention to:

Structured data (Schema.org)

Use at least the following schemas: Article, FAQPage, Organization, BreadcrumbList and HowTo. They help both Google and AI systems understand the context of your content. Professional web development makes sure every schema is implemented correctly.

Page load speed

AI indexers prefer fast websites. Optimize images, use a CDN and minimize JavaScript. Core Web Vitals (LCP, INP, CLS) still matter.

Mobile-friendliness

Most AI searches happen on mobile devices. Make sure your website is fully responsive and loads fast on mobile.

Internal linking structure

Strong internal linking helps AI understand your website's overall authority and the relationships between its content. Build thematic content clusters, where main articles are linked to supporting ones.

Maison Mint tip: Run a technical SEO audit of your website at least every six months. Check the correctness of structured data, page speed and the mobile experience. Book an audit and get a clear overview.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about the effect of AI and SGE on SEO in smaller markets.

SGE is Google's AI-based search feature that generates a summarized AI answer at the top of the search results. It changes the traditional SEO approach, because users get the answer without visiting a website.

Companies have to adapt their SEO strategy to optimize content for both traditional search and AI Overviews. Organic traffic can drop by up to 30 to 40% for certain queries, because users get the answer straight from the AI Overview. GEO optimization has become essential.

SEO focuses on traditional search engine optimization: keywords, backlinks and technical optimization. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) optimizes content for AI-based search engines such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews. Successful companies combine both.

No, SEO is not dead, but it has changed thoroughly. Traditional keyword stuffing no longer works. Successful companies combine SEO and GEO strategies, create expert-status content and optimize for both traditional search and AI Overviews.

Create expert-status, well-structured, fact-based content. Use schema markup (Schema.org), answer questions directly in the first paragraph and highlight unique data or experience. Update content regularly and build E-E-A-T signals.

Yes. Maison Mint unites traditional SEO and GEO optimization into one complete strategy. We offer the audit, the strategy and continuous optimization. Get in touch for a free consultation.

Sarah Johanna Ferara, founder of Maison Mint Marketing Agency
Sarah Johanna Ferara, performance marketing expert
10+
years in marketing
About the author

Hi, I am Sarah!

Maison Mint was born from the idea that every business deserves marketing that actually works. Over 10+ years I have helped dozens of companies grow, from startups to international brands. So I created Maison Mint, a performance marketing agency that combines paid media, SEO and GEO with modern tools, some of them our own.

We are not a typical digital agency. We are strategic partners who think like owners and work like an extension of your team. Every project is tailored; there are no standard packages.

In 2026, ranking on Google's first page is no longer enough. A growing share of buyers now start their search in AI tools. That is why Maison Mint runs SEO and GEO as one service, so our clients are visible in Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews.

Sarah Johanna Ferara, founder of Maison Mint Marketing Agency

Read about my background: Äri Geenius · E-kaubandus Geenius

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