How Google’s AI Overviews Work in Finance
Google’s AI Overviews are changing the way we search for financial information online. New data from BrightEdge shows that the type of query you make determines whether you’ll get an AI Overview or not. In this article, we’ll break down the different types of finance queries and how Google’s AI Overviews work with them.
What Triggers AI Overviews in Finance?
Finance queries that have an educational component, such as “what is” queries, trigger a high level of AI Overviews. In fact, 91% of “what is” queries generate an AI Overview response. This is because these types of queries benefit from explanation and synthesis, rather than direct data retrieval or action.
Examples of Educational Queries
Some examples of finance educational queries that generate AI Overviews include:
* ebitda meaning
* how does compound interest work
* what is an IRA
* what is dollar cost averaging
* what is a derivative
* what is a bond
When AI Overviews Stay Out
On the other hand, there are certain types of finance queries where AI Overviews stay out. These include local type queries or queries where real-time accuracy is essential. For example, “brand + near me” and other “near me” queries are dominated by local pack results and Maps integrations.
Real-Time Data Queries
AI Overviews also stay out of real-time data queries, such as:
* 401k calculator
* compound interest calculator
* investment calculator
* mortgage calculator
These types of queries only show AI Overviews 9% of the time, if at all.
Queries That Don’t Trigger AI Overviews
Other types of queries that don’t trigger AI Overviews include:
* Individual stock tickers (only 7% have AI Overviews)
* Live price queries (traditional results dominate)
* Market indices (low AI coverage)
* Brand login queries (show AIO only 0-4% of the time)
* Brand navigational queries (do not show any AI search results)
Examples of Queries Without AI Overviews
Some examples of queries that don’t trigger AI Overviews include:
* AAPL stock
* Tesla price
* dow jones industrial average today
* S&P 500 futures
Where AI Overviews Dominate
AI Overviews tend to dominate finance queries with an educational or explanatory intent. These include:
* Rate and planning queries (67% have AI Overviews)
* Rate information queries (67% have AI Overviews)
* Retirement planning queries (61% have AI Overviews)
* Tax-related queries (55% have AI Overviews)
Takeaways
The data shows that Google’s AI Overviews are driven by user behavior and satisfaction signals. To show up as a citation for finance queries with a strong learning intent, it’s essential to create content with precise answers. Focusing on creating unique and high-quality content on a regular basis can help establish authoritativeness and trustworthiness.
Visibility and Competition
Educational and guidance content have high visibility in AI responses, not just organic rankings. To increase visibility, it’s essential to focus on being cited or referenced, and to offer a variety of content formats, such as audio, image, and video content.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google’s AI Overviews are changing the way we search for financial information online. By understanding what types of queries trigger AI Overviews and what types don’t, we can create content that meets the needs of users and establishes our authority in the finance space. Whether you’re a financial expert or just starting to learn about finance, understanding how Google’s AI Overviews work can help you get the most out of your online searches.

