In Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance how users find information online, the tech titan launched AI Overviews in 2024. The goal is to streamline search results by providing AI-generated summaries right at the top of the page. This shift in search technology signals a major change in how diners will discover and research restaurants online in the coming years.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about AI Overviews and why they’re becoming so important for restaurants to understand.
Quick links
What are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews 101:
Benefits and opportunities for restaurants
Potential drawbacks to prepare for
Optimizing for the AI-powered future
What impact do AI overviews have on search?
What are AI Overviews?
Formerly known as Search Generative Experience (SGE), AI Overviews are essentially summaries or previews of information that AI tools create based on a person’s search.
Unlike today’s traditional search results primarily featuring lists of websites to sift through yourself, AI Overviews aims to cut out the back-and-forth by offering up detailed summaries and overviews generated by AI right there at the top of the results page. Basically, Google wants to let its algorithms do the heavy lifting of research and synthesizing for you by providing all-in-one knowledge base entries. They can appear as a featured snippet, knowledge panel, or direct answer box at the top of the search results page.
So while typical queries like “best pizza places near me” would populate website links from restaurants, review platforms, travel blogs and the like, AI Overviews can theoretically summarise all those sources into one unified snapshot complete with key details—all the while offering the chance to visit the links of the original source.
Such an approach has significant implications for businesses hoping to be discovered by diners browsing the web for their next reservation-worthy meal.
AI Overviews 101: The basics
These overviews use advanced AI models and machine learning to detect what kind of information someone’s query is seeking. The model then generates a unified “response” featuring the most relevant details pulled from multiple sources.
But unlike more traditional search engines simply compiling links from across the web, AI Overviews synthesize all that data into one unified informational overview or summary entry. The AI essentially does the work of researching, reading, and summarizing all those disparate websites into one cohesive overview tailored to the specific query.
They’re a bit like Google Snippets, only instead of taking one particular paragraph from a website, AI Overviews use several websites and compile the information together. Those all-in-one entries can also potentially include interactive features to explore further (like suggesting relevant follow-up questions), visual components like maps or images, and even offer pathways to direct booking actions depending on the query type.
Instead of skimming multiple links to maybe find what you’re looking for, Google sees AI Overviews as the virtual librarian curating all the details you need upfront, directly within the results page interface.
Benefits and opportunities for restaurants
For restaurants trying to capture diners’ attention through the likes of Google search, the prospect of AI Overviews could represent some uniquely valuable opportunities—assuming your details are properly positioned.
More exposure
First off, being featured in these AI-generated hubs for local cuisine queries instantly boosts visibility and awareness. Incorporating your core restaurant details like menu, pricing info, location specifics, and critically, positive customer reviews means AI Overviews could become a modern replacement for outdated business listing sites.
There’s also the reality that diners simply tend to prioritize the first couple of entries Google surfaces over digging into pages of links. Having your restaurant AI-recommended as the definitive destination for certain categories or neighborhood scenes offers unbeatable validation and publicity.
Personalised results
The idea of AI Overviews is to personalize results for the user, giving them a more in-depth answer to match their search intent. Your restaurant appearing in search results could potentially appeal to diners with a higher intent of booking and dining in your restaurant.
Potential drawbacks to prepare for
Of course, nothing in tech comes without a few caveats to negotiate as Google’s new AI-driven search paradigm evolves. For restaurants, some of the potential drawbacks of AI Overviews becoming more prominent in search results could include:
Potential for reduced website traffic
If Google’s AI can essentially create an optimized business listing and experience overview based on online data, will diners even need to navigate to a restaurant’s website? There are concerns this could substantially impact direct site traffic and engagement levels with what has been titled “zero-click searches”.
Increased competition for visibility
With such rich, consolidated information delivered directly in search results, restaurants may find more intense competition for securing prime real estate within an AI Overview overview—especially true for crowded markets.
Pressure for fresher content
Since AI Overviews will dynamically synthesise public information about your restaurant into timely overviews, there could be growing value in constantly refreshing online descriptions, menus, photos and more to ensure accurate AI-aggregated promotion.
Optimising for the AI-powered future
While the jury is still out on how impactful AI Overviews may ultimately become over the long term, preparing for an AI-centric search experience is a good idea for any restaurant serious about their digital presence. Here are some moves to consider:
Own your online listings and profiles
Having accurate, up-to-date information populating listings across Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor and other repositories gives you more control over what details AI Overviews aggregates into your business overviews.
Create visuals and content that catch the eye
The best AI overviews will incorporate engaging photos, videos, and contextual details like specials, descriptions, and human-authored editorial content. Audit and update your visual and written assets regularly to maximize the quality of results.
Monitor search performance and behavior
Rather than waiting for AI Overviews to blindside your current SEO strategies, use tools to analyze everything from search traffic and click engagement to booking leads and more from the start. Plan potential optimization approaches.
Leverage AI content generation
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in digital marketing and content workflows, tools like ChatGPT can assist with generating descriptive menu copy, social media posts, and website editorial ideas to give you an edge. Just remember that nothing beats the human touch, so use these tools as an aid rather than a replacement for humans.
Don’t forget other ways to reach diners
Lean into existing channels to remind diners about what makes your restaurant so special. From Instagram and other social media platforms to email campaigns, these mediums offer some familiarity in a world where search is changing so dramatically. You have a core base, so make the most out of the places where you already shine online.
What impact do AI overviews have on search?
While AI Overviews are still relatively new, early data shows significant implications for search. Recent studies indicate they appear in approximately 12% of search results, though it varies significantly by query type.
The impact is particularly pronounced for informational queries. Research shows that AI Overviews appear in over 80% of informational searches while showing up in only 3% of transactional queries. Websites focusing on educational or explanatory content may see the biggest changes in their search visibility, at least in the interim.
Google reports high user satisfaction with AI Overviews, stating that people not only search more frequently when using them but also express greater satisfaction with their results. According to Google’s data, AI Overviews are helping users find information more efficiently, with “billions” of successful interactions since launch.
The data is still emerging however. AI Overviews’ full impact on website traffic and user behavior continues to evolve as Google refines the feature. For restaurants specifically, this means monitoring how AI Overviews affect discovery-focused searches like “best Italian restaurants” versus more transactional queries like “book a table.”
Count on the tried and tested
While Google experiments and refines AI-powered search overviews, restaurants have a reliable option with OpenTable’s extensive diner network. We connect you with millions of diners actively seeking and booking great dining experiences—not just casual browsers.
Plus, our diners have lower no-show rates compared to those making phone reservations, so your tables stay filled. OpenTable goes one step further than solely providing bookings and offers marketing tools to promote your restaurant through targeted campaigns that move the needle.
From filling tables to maximizing revenue, OpenTable has you covered.
The overview on Overviews
The restaurants who view AI Overviews as an opportunity to get out ahead of the curve with AI-optimized strategies—rather than feeling threatened by evolving technology—will be the true winners as Google’s vision of an enhanced search reality takes shape.
Restaurants live and breathe on their ability to captivate audiences through sensory indulgence, after all. Why should your digital version be any different? Embracing innovative ways AI can spotlight your offering will likely increase exposure and get more diners visiting your restaurant.
