How To Avoid AI Overviews

by | Jul 23, 2025 | Search Engine Optimization | 0 comments

Infographic titled ‘AI Overview Trigger Statistics’ with a clean blue background. The left side lists high and low AI overview triggers with statistics about informational queries and keyword lengths. The right side highlights ‘Keywords to Target (AI Overview-Resistant)’ such as branded, transactional, local commercial, and comparison keywords, plus a large icon of a computer monitor displaying ‘AI vs B’.

AI Overview Trigger Statistics

High AI overview triggers:

  • 98% of informational queries trigger AI overviews
  • Longer keywords trigger more AI overviews:
    • 1-2 words: 25%
    • 3-4 words: 45%
    • 5-7 words: 73%
    • 8+ words: 85%

Low AI overview triggers:

  • Commercial intent: only 8%
  • Branded keywords: under 5%
  • Transactional keywords: under 5%
  • Comparison keywords: 15%

Keywords That Trigger AI Overviews (AVOID These)

  • Question-based queries: How to, What is, Why, When
  • Problem-solving queries
  • Long informational queries
  • Educational content queries
  • Niches prone to AI overviews: Health, finance, technical explanations

Keywords to Target (AI Overview-Resistant)

1. Branded & Transactional Keywords

Infographic with the heading ‘Branded & Transactional Keywords’ in large white text on a blue background. The left side lists four keyword examples: ‘Buy [brand name] online,’ ‘[Brand] discount code,’ ‘Order, promo code, free shipping,’ and ‘Buy product now, purchase product.’ The right side features a simple white outline icon of a shopping cart inside a computer monitor.
  • “Buy [brand name] online”
  • “[Brand] discount code”
  • “Order,” “promo code,” “free shipping”
  • “Buy product now,” “purchase product,” “shop product online”

2. Local Commercial Keywords

Infographic titled ‘Local Commercial Keywords’ in bold white font on a deep blue background. The left side lists four keyword examples: ‘Services near me,’ ‘Products in [city name],’ ‘Services + location,’ and ‘Product + store.’ The right side features a white outline icon of a map with a location pin displayed on a computer monitor.
  • “Services near me”
  • “Products in [city name]”
  • “Services + location”
  • “Product + store”

3. Price/Deal Keywords

Infographic with the title ‘Price/Deal Keywords’ in bold white font on a blue background. Three bullet points are listed: ‘Product price,’ ‘Cheap product deals,’ and ‘Best price.’ On the right side, a white outline of a computer monitor displays a price tag icon with a dollar sign.
  • “Product price”
  • “Cheap product deals”
  • “Best price”

4. Comparison Keywords (Highly Recommended)

Infographic titled ‘Comparison Keywords (Highly Recommended)’ in bold white font on a blue background. The left side lists four bullet points: ‘[Brand] vs [competitor],’ ‘Why choose [brand] over [alternative],’ ‘Product A vs Product B,’ and ‘Pricing comparison.’ The right side shows a white outline of a computer monitor with ‘A vs B’ and comparison lines.
  • “[Brand] vs [competitor]”
  • “Why choose [brand] over [alternative]”
  • “Product A vs Product B”
  • “Pricing comparison”

Why These Keywords Work

  • Google recognizes these terms signal users ready to buy, not seeking information
  • Users want direct access to merchant sites, not summaries
  • Geographic modifiers indicate local intent AI cannot address well
  • Comparison queries require detailed pros/cons and user experiences that AI overviews handle poorly

Strategy Summary

Target: Mid-funnel and bottom-funnel keywords (commercial intent) Avoid: Top-funnel informational queries Focus on: Comparison keywords as a “happy medium” that still avoid detailed AI overviews

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Search Engine OptimizationHow To Avoid AI Overviews