What it means for a Dubai business
AI Overviews grew out of Google’s Search Generative Experience test and launched widely in 2024. For many questions the first thing a searcher reads is now Google’s own summary, with a few source links beside it.
Two things follow. Ranking well still matters, because Google draws on pages it can find. And being a cited source in the overview is a separate win, which does not always go to the top ranked page.
Example
A patient searches “how long does Invisalign take”. The AI Overview gives a range and links three sources. A clinic page that states its own typical range in one plain sentence, with who it applies to, is a candidate for one of those links.
Common mistake
Measuring success only by clicks. When the overview answers the question, fewer people click at all. Pew Research Center found in 2025 that users clicked a result less often when an AI summary appeared, though Google disputes the method. Track whether your name and pages appear, not only visits.