Google AI search still starts with ordinary website basics
Published 3 October 2026 ยท Sources checked the same day
Before buying an AI-search trick, check whether your important pages can be indexed and understood.
The short answer
Google says the usual SEO foundations still apply to AI Overviews and AI Mode. A page must be indexed and eligible for a search snippet to be eligible as a supporting link. Its official AI-features guidance says there are no additional technical requirements.
Why one question can involve several searches
Google says AI Overviews and AI Mode may use "query fan-out": several related searches across parts of a question. For a business website, this is a reason to give useful answers about the real service, not to repeat one keyword everywhere. Clear pages can answer different parts of a customer's decision.
What you should check first
Make sure the important pages are reachable through internal links, have useful text rather than image-only answers, and are not accidentally blocked from crawling or indexing. Google also says structured data should match the visible page content. These checks are sensible even if nobody ever asks an AI about your business.
One thing to do
Pick the page that describes your main service. Use Google Search Console's URL inspection to see whether it is indexed. Then read the heading and first paragraph. Check that the service, customer and location are clear. If the result is confusing, improve it for a real customer first.
Do you need an AI text file?
Google's AI-features guidance says you do not need new machine-readable files, AI text files or special schema.org markup for these features. An llms.txt file can be a convenience for other workflows, but it is not a Google eligibility requirement or a ranking promise.
The limit
Eligibility is not inclusion. Google says indexing and serving are not guaranteed, even when technical requirements and best practices are met. Measure traffic and enquiries over time instead of treating one AI answer as proof of success.