In the age of generative AI and large language models (LLMs), many digital marketers and SEOs have been wondering: Does traditional SEO still have a role to play? With AI Overviews now appearing prominently in Google Search, there’s growing concern about how content gets selected, ranked, and displayed.

Google has officially clarified that you don’t need to do anything “special” for AI Overviews. In fact, the same fundamental SEO practices that have always worked continue to be the foundation for visibility—even in these AI-powered summaries.

No New Format or Markup Needed

Contrary to some speculation, Google does not use any special markup like LLM.txt files (an idea that had been floating around recently) to determine how content is used in AI Overviews. Google Search remains driven by the same core algorithms that rank content for traditional search results.

If your site already ranks well due to high-quality, helpful content—optimized for relevance, expertise, and authority—then it’s already well-positioned for inclusion in AI Overviews.

AI Overviews Use the Existing Index

The AI-generated summaries that users now see at the top of many search results are powered by Google’s existing index. This means that the AI isn’t crawling the web in a new way or pulling from hidden sources. It’s using the same content Google already understands and trusts.

In short, if your content is optimized for organic search, it’s also being considered by AI Overviews.

Helpful Content Is Still the Key

Google emphasizes that “helpful content” remains the guiding principle. Whether it’s traditional blue links or AI Overviews, the goal is to give users fast, accurate, and trustworthy information. That means:

• Clear, informative writing
• Factual accuracy
• Topical authority
• Strong site structure
• Relevant internal linking

There’s no AI-specific SEO playbook. The best strategy is to double down on quality.

What This Means for SEOs and Content Creators

Rather than chasing algorithm loopholes or worrying about emerging formats like LLM.txt, the focus should remain on building great content. Think in terms of user intent, helpfulness, and clarity.

AI in search is evolving rapidly—but Google’s core ranking principles haven’t changed.

Final Thought

For now, the message is clear: You don’t need a new SEO strategy for AI Overviews. Keep following best practices, stay user-focused, and ensure your site is optimized for search in the traditional sense. That’s still the best way to show up—whether in a link list or an AI summary.