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In the current search landscape, things are moving fast—and if you’re in SEO or digital marketing, you’ve probably felt it. Google isn’t just a search engine anymore. It’s evolved into an intelligent, AI-driven environment that delivers highly curated answers before anyone even clicks a link.
One of the most game-changing—yet still surprisingly overlooked—features in this new setup is something called AI Overviews (you might remember them from their earlier name, Search Generative Experience or SGE).
Now, if you’re managing a brand, running growth campaigns, or just trying to keep your content in front of the right people, these AI Overviews aren’t something you can afford to ignore. They show up right at the top of search results, adapt to user intent, and often pull in insights from multiple sources in real time. The kicker? You won’t see them through your usual SEO dashboards—and traditional tools can’t track them.
So how do you keep tabs on this new layer of search?
That’s where SerpAPI comes in. It’s quietly become one of the most powerful tools for modern marketers who want to stay ahead of Google’s evolving search features. With SerpAPI, you can monitor AI Overviews automatically, extract insights, and even spot when your competitors start gaining visibility in this space—all without manually checking the SERP every hour.
In the sections ahead, we’re going to break it all down:
- A simple explanation of what AI Overviews are (and why they’re showing up everywhere)
- Why older SEO platforms aren’t equipped to monitor this shift
- How SerpAPI solves the tracking problem with automation
- Use cases you can actually apply—from refining content strategy to gaining an edge over the competition
- A quick guide to help you get started fast—even if you’re not a developer
- And finally, why automating this process could give you a serious long-term advantage
If you’re ready to stay relevant in search and outsmart the algorithmic changes coming faster than ever—let’s dig in.
Understanding AI Overviews: Google’s Next Evolution
Search engines are no longer just about keywords and backlinks—they’re evolving into intelligent assistants. And Google’s AI Overviews, formerly known as SGE (Search Generative Experience), are leading the charge.
If you’ve recently searched for something like “best protein powder for weight loss,” you’ve likely encountered a rich, conversational summary at the top of the search results. That’s not your standard featured snippet. It’s an AI Overview—a curated, synthesized response created on the fly by Google’s generative AI, pulling insights from across the web.
Here’s what makes these AI Overviews a game-changer:
- 🔝 They appear right at the top of the SERP, pushing traditional organic listings further down.
- 🔁 They’re highly dynamic, meaning the content can change frequently depending on user context, location, or even time of day.
- 🔍 They aggregate multiple sources, blending information in a way that reflects conversational search behavior.
- 🛑 They lead to zero-click experiences, where the user finds the answer they need without ever clicking through to a website.
From a user’s point of view, it’s magical. Ask a question, get an answer. No scrolling, no clicking, no confusion.
But if you’re in marketing, SEO, or content strategy, that magic can feel like a mirage.
Because here’s the hard truth: if your brand isn’t featured in that AI Overview, you’ve effectively been removed from the conversation. And if your competitor is? They’ve just claimed the most valuable digital real estate on the internet—Google’s Position Zero.
This is no longer about ranking #1 organically. It’s about being selected by Google’s AI as a trusted voice. That selection isn’t static—it changes constantly. And unless you’re tracking it, you’re operating in the dark.
That’s why understanding—and more importantly, monitoring—AI Overviews has become the new frontier of SERP strategy.
It’s not about playing the old SEO game better. It’s about playing a new game altogether.
The Problem: Traditional SEO Tools Can’t Track This… Yet
Let’s be real—most marketing teams rely on the same familiar toolkit: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, maybe a little Screaming Frog or Google Search Console. And to be fair, these tools are fantastic at what they do. They’ve helped us understand backlinks, monitor keyword rankings, and analyze technical SEO issues for over a decade.
But here’s the issue: they were built for a different internet.
Traditional SEO tools track static search results. They scrape pages, monitor structured elements, and pull in data based on a predictable SERP layout.
AI Overviews? They don’t follow those rules.
Here’s where legacy tools fall short in this new AI-first world:
- ❌ They don’t detect AI Overview placements. There’s no visibility into whether your brand shows up in those summaries.
- ❌ They can’t tell you what content is featured. There’s no way to know if your blog, guide, or product is being cited in the AI-generated narrative.
- ❌ They don’t operate in real time. Google’s AI can revise Overviews at any moment—daily, hourly, or even by the minute. Static reports simply can’t keep up.
- ❌ They offer no alert systems. If your brand drops out of an Overview or a competitor suddenly appears, you’ll only know by manually checking.
In short, these tools leave you blind to the most influential layer of modern search.
And that’s a massive strategic gap. While you’re busy optimizing H1 tags or tracking position changes for “best CRM software,” your competitor may have already landed a spot in the AI Overview—and is now getting brand exposure at scale without paying a dime in ads.
Let that sink in.
The SEO landscape has shifted, but the tools haven’t caught up. And that’s where new-age solutions like SerpAPI step in to bridge the gap.
They don’t just scrape links. They parse the entire AI-generated layer of Google, giving marketers the real-time, granular insight they need to compete in an AI-driven SERP world.
Because if Google is evolving—so should your strategy.
The Solution: Automate AI Overview Tracking with SerpAPI
Now imagine this for a moment: You’re no longer left guessing whether your brand shows up in Google’s AI-generated summaries. No more manually checking SERPs or wondering if your latest content push made the cut. Instead, you have a clear, real-time window into Google’s most advanced search layer—running quietly in the background, around the clock.
That’s exactly what SerpAPI delivers.
SerpAPI is not just another scraping tool. It’s a real-time, AI-aware Google Search API designed for marketers, developers, and growth teams who need total visibility into every corner of the search results page, including Google’s cutting-edge AI Overviews.
Whether you’re monitoring brand presence, tracking competitor mentions, or analyzing search intent at scale, SerpAPI helps you automate it all—without lifting a finger after setup.
Here’s what makes it so powerful:
Full SERP Coverage—With AI Insight Built In
SerpAPI pulls structured data from every component of a Google search result page. This includes:
- Traditional organic listings
- Featured snippets (the OG position zero)
- Sponsored ads
- Google Maps results
- Shopping/product listings
- And yes—AI Overviews, fully parsed and readable
This means you can see the entire picture, not just part of it. You’re not guessing what users see—you’re getting it delivered in structured, actionable data.
What Makes SerpAPI Different?
AI Overview Detection That Actually Works
SerpAPI can identify and extract Google’s generative summaries with precision, breaking them down into clean, structured fields. That means you’ll know exactly what the AI is saying, who it’s mentioning, and how your content stacks up.
Customizable Queries for Precision Tracking
Want to track a keyword like “best project management software” across 10 cities in Europe and 5 different devices? No problem. SerpAPI allows you to tailor your queries based on location, device type, language, and more—so your data reflects the real-world searches your audience is performing.
Smart Alerts & Real-Time Updates
You don’t need to constantly monitor dashboards. Set up automated alerts so you’re instantly notified when:
- Your brand gets featured in an AI Overview
- A competitor enters or exits the conversation
- The content within the overview changes
In a world where AI-generated content evolves daily (sometimes hourly), this kind of agility is invaluable.
Scalable by Design
Whether you’re tracking 10 keywords or 10,000, SerpAPI is built to handle it. You can run massive tracking campaigns across multiple geographies or verticals without ever worrying about capacity.
This opens up a whole new level of competitive intelligence. Imagine knowing how your brand is performing across hundreds of AI-generated answers—at scale.
Built for Developers (and Non-Developers Too)
SerpAPI integrates smoothly with tools like Python, Node.js, Zapier, and more. That means you can:
- Pull AI Overview data directly into your internal dashboards
- Automate reporting and alerts
- Sync with your SEO, CRM, or analytics stack
No complex infrastructure needed—just clean, usable data you can act on right away.
For Forward-Thinking Marketing Teams, This Is a Game Changer
Let’s be honest: most SEO and content teams are still chasing rankings like it’s 2019. But with Google’s AI layer reshaping how results are delivered and consumed, being reactive is no longer good enough.
With SerpAPI, you’re not just tracking search—you’re understanding it in real time. You’re uncovering how AI interprets your brand, how your competitors are positioned in the conversation, and how you can take strategic action to improve visibility where it matters most.
This isn’t about vanity metrics or surface-level insights.
It’s about seeing what Google’s AI sees—and using that knowledge to stay one step ahead.
Why Marketers Should Care: The Competitive Edge of Tracking AI Overviews
We’re at a turning point in digital marketing. As Google’s AI-generated summaries start taking over prime real estate on the search results page, marketers need to ask themselves one simple question:
Is my brand showing up where it matters most?
If you’re not already tracking Google’s AI Overviews, you’re leaving massive insights—and potentially massive traffic—on the table. Here’s why this should be a core part of your marketing strategy going forward, and how automating it with SerpAPI can change the game.
1. Protect and Monitor Brand Mentions in Real-Time
Let’s say your brand gets mentioned in one of Google’s AI-generated answers. That’s a huge win—instant credibility, visibility at the top of the page, and the kind of trust you can’t buy with ads.
But here’s the catch: those mentions are temporary.
AI Overviews are dynamic. They can update hourly. One minute you’re featured, the next you’ve vanished—replaced by a competitor or a different source. And the scary part? Most brands don’t even realize it’s happening.
That’s where SerpAPI gives you control.
- Track your brand’s presence over time across all relevant queries.
- Set up instant alerts so you’re notified the moment your name drops off or shows up in an AI Overview.
- Compare your brand’s visibility to your competitors, so you can measure share-of-voice in a whole new way.
It’s like having a search radar—constantly scanning the SERP for your brand’s signal.
2. Discover Untapped Content Opportunities
Google’s AI doesn’t just pull random facts. It curates answers from content it trusts. If your competitors are getting cited and you’re not, it’s not personal—it’s just a sign your content needs a tune-up.
By reverse-engineering the sources that show up in AI Overviews, you can uncover:
- What topics are trending and how they’re phrased by users
- Which content formats (blog posts, product pages, guides) are being pulled into summaries
- Where the gaps are in your current content strategy
With SerpAPI, you’re not just reacting to search trends—you’re spotting them before they go mainstream. This gives you the upper hand when planning blog content, updating product pages, or creating authority-building pillar posts that Google’s AI is more likely to feature.
Imagine walking into your next content meeting with hard data on exactly what Google’s AI wants to show users.
3. Gain Deep Competitor Intelligence (That They Don’t Know You Have)
If your rivals are getting featured in AI Overviews for your most important keywords, that’s more than annoying—it’s potentially costing you leads, traffic, and conversions.
But what if you could track their every move?
SerpAPI gives you the tools to:
- Monitor where your competitors are being featured—and for which queries
- Analyze the content Google pulls from them (so you can learn what’s working)
- Spot patterns in how Google’s AI selects sources and formats
This isn’t just vanity tracking. This is real-time competitive intelligence.
You can identify where your competition is gaining traction and respond fast—whether that means updating your own content, launching new campaigns, or simply positioning your messaging more effectively.
In short, it’s your secret weapon for staying a step ahead in the visibility game.
4. Optimize for the Era of Zero-Click Searches
Here’s a hard truth: sometimes you won’t get the click.
Google’s AI Overviews are designed to answer the user’s question right then and there—no need to scroll, no need to visit a website. That’s great for users, but not so great for marketers relying on traditional traffic metrics.
So how do you win in a world where people don’t click?
You change the game.
With SerpAPI, you can:
- Identify which queries are delivering zero-click experiences
- Shift your content goals from click-throughs to brand exposure and authority
- Optimize your content to be cited by Google’s AI—so even if users don’t visit your page, they still see your brand as the trusted source
Think about it this way: being the quoted source in an AI Overview is like getting the best kind of product placement—unskippable, unmissable, and incredibly influential.
The more often your brand shows up in those top-of-page summaries, the more mindshare you earn. And over time, that translates into trust, preference, and yes—eventually, conversions.
How to Automate AI Overview Tracking with SerpAPI
Ready to dive in? Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to get you started:
Step 1: Sign Up for SerpAPI
Visit serpapi.com and sign up for a free trial. You’ll get a set number of queries to test out.
Step 2: Choose Your Language (Python Example)
python
CopyEdit
from serpapi import GoogleSearch
params = {
“engine”: “google”,
“q”: “best AI copywriting tools”,
“api_key”: “your_api_key”,
“hl”: “en”,
“gl”: “us”
}
search = GoogleSearch(params)
results = search.get_dict()
ai_overview = results.get(“answer_box”) or results.get(“ai_overview”)
print(ai_overview)
This script returns the AI-generated content directly from the SERP.
Step 3: Automate It
Use a scheduling tool (like a Python cron job or Zapier integration) to run your script daily. Store the data in a Google Sheet or database to track trends over time.
Step 4: Set Alerts
Use conditional logic (e.g., “if brand name not in ai_overview”) to send Slack, email, or webhook alerts.
Step 5: Analyze + Optimize
Map out:
- Which keywords consistently trigger AI Overviews
- Where your content is featured (or not)
- Which domains are being referenced most often
How We Implemented AI Overview Tracking with ThatWare?
Scenario: Previously we have done how to research the AIO keywords for the website, but if we are using those keywords hen how can we track those keywords and know if our website is getting new AIO results or not?
Google search console does not provide any data regarding AIO(AI overviews). But I have found one solution for this.
Here are the steps to track the AI overviews for keywords:
Step 1: Go to SerpApi website and register free account
Step 2: Go to “Api Key” section and copy the code
Step 3: Create a new Google Sheet as following:
Now add the keywords you want to track and provide your website domain name under ”Website URL” tab
For example:
Step 4: Go to App script form Extension
Step 5: Copy the following script and paste
Note: //This script was created by TeamAmitTiwari, watch full video at
Script:
function checkAIOverviews()
{
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet = ss.getActiveSheet();
var historySheet = ss.getSheetByName(“History”); if (!historySheet)
{
historySheet = ss.insertSheet(“History”);
historySheet.appendRow([“Date”, “Query”, “AI Overview”, “Top 5 References”, “Target Site Match”]);
historySheet.getRange(“A:A”).setNumberFormat(“yyyy-MM-dd”);
}
var lastRow = sheet.getLastRow();
if (lastRow < 2)
{
Logger.log(“No data found.”);
return;
}
var queries = sheet.getRange(2, 1, lastRow – 1, 1).getValues();
var today = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), ss.getSpreadsheetTimeZone(), “yyyy-MM-dd”); var targetDomain = sheet.getRange(“H2″).getValue().toLowerCase().replace(/^https?:\/\//, ”).replace(/^www\./, ”).split(“/”)[0]; for (var i = 0; i < queries.length; i++)
{
var query = queries[i][0];
var row = i + 2;
if (!query) continue; var status = “”;
var referencesList = “”;
var siteMatch = “”;
var aiPresent = false; try
{
var apiKey = “Your_API_Key”; // Replace with your SerpApi key
var searchUrl = “https://serpapi.com/search?engine=google&q=” +
encodeURIComponent(query) + “&api_key=” + apiKey;
var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(searchUrl);
var data = JSON.parse(response.getContentText()); if (data.error || (data.search_metadata && data.search_metadata.status === “Error”))
{
throw new Error(data.error || “SerpApi error”);
}
if (data.ai_overview)
{
var refs = data.ai_overview.references;
if (refs && refs.length > 0)
{
aiPresent = true;
status = “Yes”;
var topRefs = refs.slice(0, 5).map(ref => ref.link).filter(Boolean);
referencesList = topRefs.join(“\n”); var matchFound = topRefs.some(link =>
{
var linkDomain = link.toLowerCase().replace(/^https?:\/\//, ”).replace(/^www\./, ”).split(“/”)[0];
return linkDomain === targetDomain;
}); siteMatch = matchFound ? “Yes” : “No”;
}
else if (data.ai_overview.page_token)
{
status = “N/A”;
siteMatch = “N/A”;
}
else {
status = “No”;
siteMatch = “No”;
}
}
else
{
status = “No”;
siteMatch = “No”;
}
}
catch (e)
{
Logger.log(“Error in row ” + row + “: ” + e.message);
status = “Error: ” + e.message;
referencesList = “”;
siteMatch = “”;
}
// Write to main sheet
sheet.getRange(row, 2).setValue(status);
sheet.getRange(row, 3).setValue(referencesList);
sheet.getRange(row, 4).setValue(siteMatch); // Sparkline in Column E (as line chart now)
var sparklineFormula =
‘=IF($A’ + row + ‘=””,””, IFERROR(SPARKLINE(IF(FILTER(History!$C:$C, History!$B:$B=$A’ + row + ‘)=”Yes”, 1, 0), {“charttype”,”line”}), “”))’;
sheet.getRange(row, 5).setFormula(sparklineFormula); // Log to History (only if not error or N/A)
if (!status.startsWith(“Error”) && status !== “N/A”)
{
historySheet.appendRow([
new Date(),
query,
status,
referencesList,
siteMatch
]);
}
}
}
Paste your API key
Now save and run the code
Provide the permission
You will get the notifications regarding the update on AIO keywords
Real-World Use Cases: Who’s Winning with AI Overview Tracking?
AI Overviews are reshaping the way users interact with search results—and the smartest brands are already turning this shift into a competitive edge. Here’s how different industries are capitalizing on this evolution:
SaaS Brands: Winning the “Best Tools” Race
Software-as-a-Service companies thrive on visibility in discovery-based searches—think “best tools for email automation” or “top CRM for startups.”
With AI Overviews rewriting SERPs, traditional rankings aren’t enough. Savvy SaaS marketers use SerpAPI to track how Google’s AI is curating tool lists, enabling them to insert their brand into the conversation early and often.
Result? More organic exposure, higher trust, and better top-of-funnel conversions.
E-commerce Stores: Gaining the Competitive Edge
Online retailers face constant pressure from competitors, marketplaces, and now, AI-generated recommendations.
By monitoring product-related queries, brands can see exactly how their products are being presented—or buried—compared to rivals.
SerpAPI lets them react fast: optimizing listings, adjusting schema, or highlighting unique value props to align with what AI wants to show users.
Outcome? Stronger presence across high-intent, product-specific searches.
Content Agencies: Scaling Smarter Insights
Agencies juggle multiple clients across industries and need to deliver actionable SEO insights—fast.
With SerpAPI, they can automate SERP reporting and surface real-time changes driven by AI. That means fewer manual audits and more proactive strategy.
Clients love it. Agencies save time and increase impact.
Win-win.
Growth Marketers: Owning the Zero-Click SERP
Today’s SERPs are flooded with AI summaries, featured snippets, and visual elements—all reducing the need for users to click.
Growth marketers use SerpAPI to spot these zero-click zones and craft content that’s optimized for visibility, not just rankings.
The focus? Brand mentions, authority building, and trust—even when there’s no click involved.
End result? Long-term brand equity and higher downstream conversions.
Final Thoughts: The Future of SEO Is AI-Aware
We’re no longer in the era of the “10 blue links.”
Google has evolved into a dynamic, AI-driven ecosystem that rewrites its answers every single day. Static strategies won’t cut it anymore.
The new SEO champions are those who:
- Detect SERP shifts in real time
- Adapt content to match AI-generated insights
- Automate what others are still doing manually
SerpAPI is the tool that empowers you to do exactly that.
Whether you’re:
- A nimble startup fighting for visibility,
- A global e-commerce brand competing in saturated markets, or
- A full-service agency seeking an edge—
Tracking AI Overviews isn’t just technical—it’s tactical.
And getting started takes just minutes.
Ready to Automate Your AI Overview Tracking?
- No more guessing what Google shows
- Know exactly where you stand
- Optimize with confidence and clarity
Try SerpAPI Today and take control of the AI-powered SERP.
Let your competitors play catch-up.
You’re here to win.
Thatware | Founder & CEO
Tuhin is recognized across the globe for his vision to revolutionize digital transformation industry with the help of cutting-edge technology. He won bronze for India at the Stevie Awards USA as well as winning the India Business Awards, India Technology Award, Top 100 influential tech leaders from Analytics Insights, Clutch Global Front runner in digital marketing, founder of the fastest growing company in Asia by The CEO Magazine and is a TEDx speaker and BrightonSEO speaker.
