What does it mean when Google uses your website as an AI source?

Luke Meredith

If Google uses your website as a source in an AI Overview or AI Mode response, it means information from your website has helped Google answer somebody’s question.

Instead of only showing the traditional list of search results, Google can now generate an AI (artificial intelligence)-powered answer and include links to websites that support the information being presented.

If your website appears as one of those sources, Google has identified content on your site that it considers relevant to that particular search.

Google explains that its AI search features use information from its Search index and rely on many of the same ranking and quality systems used across normal Google Search.

For example, imagine you are an accountant and have a useful page explaining whether a business can claim the cost of a company vehicle as an expense.

Someone might ask Google a detailed question about company vehicle expenses and receive an AI-generated answer. If Google uses information from your page to help form that response, your website could appear alongside the answer as one of the sources where the user can find out more.

This can put your business in front of somebody even if they have not searched for your company by name.

It is also a good indication that Google understands what the particular page is about and sees value in the information it contains.

It doesn’t mean Google officially recommends your business though, and being used as a source for one search doesn’t guarantee you will appear for similar searches in the future.

Google can use different sources depending on the wording of a question, the information available and what it believes will provide the most useful response.

There isn’t a special piece of code you can add to make Google choose your website either. Google says the usual SEO (search engine optimisation) principles still apply to its AI features, with a particular focus on useful, original content that gives people the information they’re actually looking for.

This means clearly explaining your services, answering customer questions, demonstrating your expertise and covering subjects in enough detail to be useful can all help create the type of information Google has available to draw from.

As Google continues to make links and sources more visible within its AI search experiences, being recognised as a useful source is becoming another way your website can gain visibility beyond the traditional search results.

If you want to improve the chances of your business being found across traditional Google Search and AI-powered search results, get in touch with our team at Engage Web.

About
Latest Posts

Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.