When your site appears in Google’s AI Overview, do you rank higher? That depends on how you define “position.”

Google has now confirmed something the SEO world has long debated — every link inside an AI Overview shares the same ranking position in Search Console.

What Google Just Confirmed

John Mueller of Google explained that AI Overviews (also called AIOs) are treated as a single block.

So if your URL appears in that AI-generated summary, it doesn’t matter if it’s the first link or the last. Every linked page in the AIO shares the same Search Console position.

Mueller said:
“An AIO counts as a block, so it’s all one position. It can be position 1 if the block shows up first.”

This means that:

  • All links in the AI Overview panel share the same ranking position
  • Even hidden links (those shown after expanding) still count
  • Your listing could show as “position 1” even if users need to scroll or click to see it

What Google’s Documentation Says

Google Search Console’s help docs clarify how AIOs are tracked:

  • Position: One block = one position. Every link in the AI Overview shares that.
  • Clicks: Clicking any link in the overview counts as a click.
  • Impressions: The link must be visible on screen or expanded into view to count.
  • Exclusion: Data from Search Labs experiments isn’t included in reports.

So if you’re seeing position 1 for a URL that was in an AIO, you’re not alone. It’s by design.

Why SEO Pros Are Concerned

Many SEO professionals are still skeptical.

Lily Ray, VP at Amsive, recently questioned Google’s year-old claim that AIOs increase traffic. She said:

“I would love to see a single GSC report that confirms this… because every study so far has shown the opposite.”

Her point is valid.

SEO studies have shown that AIO links often receive fewer clicks than traditional blue links. Users may not engage with AI summaries the same way they do with standard listings.

The Real Problem: Lack of Data

Google may claim that AI Overviews improve visibility and traffic, but they haven’t shown concrete proof. And because all AIO links share one position, it’s hard to tell:

  • Which link actually got the click?
  • Was your link visible without expansion?
  • Did the AI Overview push regular results lower?

Without deeper click segmentation or link-level data, SEOs are left guessing.

What’s Next For AIO Tracking?

Here’s what SEO professionals want:

  • Link-specific position and click data inside AIOs
  • A way to separate AIO impressions from traditional ones
  • More transparency about how AI summaries impact user behavior

Google has taken a step by explaining how AIOs are tracked. But that’s not enough.

Until there’s more clarity, it’s smart to treat AIO traffic as a wildcard—sometimes helpful, sometimes not.

Key Takeaways

  • All links in a Google AI Overview share the same position in Search Console
  • That position can show as “1” even for links hidden behind an expansion
  • AIO clicks are counted, but impressions require visibility
  • SEO experts want more transparent data on performance

FAQs

They can increase visibility, but whether they boost traffic or conversions is still unclear.

Yes. If the AIO appears in the first position on the results page, all links within it get that ranking.

No. Google Search Console does not break that down yet.

Not always. Some reports suggest lower click-through rates from AI Overviews compared to traditional results.

Is Google planning better reporting for AIOs?

They haven’t confirmed it. But the SEO community is pushing for more detailed insights.

Did You Know

Google’s AI Overview can push your listing to “position 1” in Search Console—even if users never scroll to see it.