You’ve probably noticed it. Search results are changing, and not just in how they look, but in how they think.

Google’s new AI Overview update is transforming the way information appears in search. Instead of just listing websites, Google now summarises answers using generative AI, pulling from pages, snippets, and increasingly, video content. That means your next client might not find you through your blog post... but through a clip from your YouTube or instagram video.

So, what does this shift really mean for professional service businesses? And how can you stay visible when Google is starting to “watch” as much as it reads?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Google’s AI Overview?

AI Overview is Google’s new way of delivering search results. Instead of showing ten blue links, Google’s AI summarises the answer at the top of the page, citing sources and sometimes embedding videos directly.

It’s part of Google’s push toward Search Generative Experience (SGE), where AI interprets intent, summarises content, and highlights the most useful formats for the query, whether text, image, or video.

And here’s what’s new: Google’s AI is now analysing what’s inside videos: reading captions, understanding speech, and even identifying what’s being shown.

For example, if someone searches “how to make a legally valid will in Australia,” Google might feature a short clip that someone has published explaining the steps, not a written tutorial like a blog.

Why Video Matters More Than Ever

For years, marketers have talked about “optimising for search.” Now it’s about optimising for AI search, and AI has just started watching videos like a human.

According to GoDataFeed. Here’s what’s changing:

Videos are now 3x more likely to be cited in AI Overviews than text content in some industries.
Google is pulling insights from spoken words, transitions, and timestamps — not just metadata.
AI Overviews prefer useful, visual, and educational content that answers a specific question clearly.

So, if your brand has video content that solves a problem, explains a concept, or demonstrates a service, you’re already ahead. But the key is to make those videos searchable, structured, and connected to your brand ecosystem.

The New Visibility Loop: Watch → Click → Convert

Think of AI Overview as a visibility funnel:

(1) Watch: Google surfaces your video clip as part of the AI summary.

(2) Click: Users engage or click through to your website, YouTube channel, Instagram, or service page.

(3) Convert: They see your authority, trust your expertise, and take action.

Unlike traditional SEO, where ranking was mostly text-based, AI Overview blurs the line between video visibility and website authority.

This is great news for creators, educators, and service providers who already use video as part of their marketing mix — webinars, tutorials, case studies, or even client stories.

Case Study 1
Turning Expertise into AI Recognition

A Canberra-based automotive specialist wanted to attract more local clients without running ads. They already had great before-and-after clips of their repair projects, they just weren’t searchable.

We built a simple video-first SEO strategy:

Added descriptive titles like “How to fix alloy wheel damage in 30 minutes | Canberra Auto Experts.”
Uploaded transcripts so Google could read the full explanation.
Included geographic tags and embedded each video on the website.

The result? Their clips started appearing in Google’s AI Overview for searches like “wheel repair Canberra” and “car detailing near me.”

Traffic from Google doubled, and they began booking two to three extra consultations weekly, all through organic video discovery.

Case Study 2
Law Firm Boosts Visibility with AI-Optimized Video Strategy

A property and estate law firm hosted a single webinar titled “Understanding Property Transfers and Settlements in Australia.”

We broke it down into short, searchable segments like:

“What to check before signing a property contract”
“How property settlement works between buyers and sellers”
“Common legal mistakes in title transfers”

Each clip was uploaded to YouTube, Instagram, and even linked to their website as FAQ’s, with timestamps, transcripts, and SEO-optimised descriptions. The full replay lived on their website with a written summary highlighting key legal insights.

Within two months, Google’s AI Overview began featuring their video clips for searches like “how property settlement works in NSW” and “title transfer legal process Australia,” establishing the firm as a trusted authority in property law.

How to Optimise for the AI + Video Era

If you want your brand to stay visible in AI search, start here:

Add timestamps and structured captions to every video.
Include keywords naturally in video titles, descriptions, on screen captions, and spoken audio.
Repurpose long-form videos into short clips that answer single search queries.
Link videos back to your website or blog and vice versa.
Start producing video content. If you think a particular topic is a good one for your audience or a blog is seemingly doing well – then use repurose that content into video content.

Bottom Line

Google’s AI Overview is reshaping how brands show up in search and video is now at the center.
AI analyses what’s inside videos: captions, spoken words, and visuals.
Optimise videos with clear titles, timestamps, and transcripts to help AI understand context.
Link video content with your website and social channels to strengthen authority.
The earlier you adapt your strategy, the easier it is to stay visible and become the answer clients watch first.

If your brand isn’t showing up in AI search, it’s time to rethink your search and content strategy.

At Zenovate, we help professional service firms integrate AI search strategies — so your content stays visible, trustworthy, and client-ready in the new search era. Book a free 15-minute visibility audit today!

BOOK YOUR FREE CALL

Written By Zenovate Marketing Team

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

It picks videos that clearly answer search queries, analysing captions, transcripts, and spoken words for relevance and accuracy.
You don’t have to, but YouTube videos rank higher since it’s directly integrated with Google’s search system.
No. SEO still matters — AI Overviews just add a new layer that rewards well-optimised, searchable video content.
Short, clear, educational videos — especially “how to” or “what is” topics that directly answer user questions.
Start adding video versions of your top blogs or FAQs, include transcripts, and optimise titles and descriptions for search visibility.

DISCLAIMER: This article is general information only and cannot be regarded as legal, financial or accounting advice as it does not take into account your personal circumstances. For tailored advice, please contact us. PS – congratulations if you have read this far, you must love legal disclaimers or are a sucker for punishment.