Google AI Overviews Trending Toward Authoritative Sites
Mar 01, 2025 - searchenginejournal.com
New research from BrightEdge reveals that Google's AI Overview (AIO) rankings vary by industry and time, explaining the volatility in AIO rankings. Healthcare, Education, and B2B Technology topics show significant presence in Google's AI Overviews, with Healthcare leading at 84% presence as of February 2025. The travel, restaurant, and insurance sectors are also trending upward, with notable growth in AIO presence. Conversely, Ecommerce and Entertainment have seen a decline in AIO presence, suggesting a shift towards traditional search experiences.
The study highlights a trend towards authoritative sources in AIO results, particularly in Healthcare and B2B Technology. For instance, 72% of AI Overview answers in Healthcare come from authoritative medical research centers. This mirrors past Google updates like the Medic Update, which prioritized relevance and user expectations over brand bias. The findings suggest that AIO patterns favor authoritative content, with a significant portion of B2B Tech queries being answered by top technology companies like Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft.
Key takeaways:
AIO Presence Varies by Industry and Time
There is growth in AIO visibility for Healthcare, Travel, Insurance, and B2B Technology
Declining presence of AIO in Ecommerce and Entertainment
AIO patterns indicate a preference for authoritative sources
