Google AI Mode vs AI Overviews

Key takeaway

Google AI Mode and AI Overviews are different products with different citation behaviours. AI Mode is far more zero-click: Position Digital data puts the no-click rate at around 93% in AI Mode versus around 43% in AI Overviews, so AI Overviews still send some traffic while AI Mode rarely does. Ahrefs found the two features share only about 13.7% of their citations. You need to optimise for both, and the strategies overlap but are not identical.

Two AI features, one search engine

Google now has two AI-powered search experiences. Conflating them is a common mistake. AI Overviews appear as summary boxes within regular search results. AI Mode is a separate, dialogue-based interface where users have multi-turn conversations with Google's AI. They look different, behave differently, and cite sources differently.

Key differences at a glance

Factor	AI Overviews	AI Mode
Where it appears	Summary box in regular search results	Separate dialogue-based interface
Zero-click rate	~43% (Position Digital)	~93% (Position Digital)
Outbound clicks	Some - users still see organic results	Rarely - most answers resolve in-conversation
Query behaviour	Single query, single summary	Query fan-out across subtopics
Citation overlap	Only ~13.7% of citations appear in both (Ahrefs)

AI Overviews - the summary box

AI Overviews have been rolling out since 2024. They summarise information from multiple sources and display it above or alongside organic results. Because the overview appears within the regular search page, users can still scroll down and click organic results, so the zero-click rate is lower (around 43% per Position Digital). This gives cited brands both visibility and some click-through potential.

AI Mode - the conversation

AI Mode is different. It is a conversational interface where users ask follow-up questions. The AI explores subtopics automatically. This behaviour is called query fan-out, and it surfaces more sources in-conversation. But the trade-off is traffic: Position Digital data puts the zero-click rate at around 93% in AI Mode. Users get their answer in the conversation and rarely visit the source. AI Mode citations build brand awareness, but rarely drive direct traffic.

Why the 13.7% overlap matters

Only 13.7% of citations appear in both AI Overviews and AI Mode. Optimising for one does not get you cited in the other. They draw from overlapping but distinct pools of content. AI Mode's query fan-out pulls in subtopic content that AI Overviews might never surface. AI Overviews may cite a page that AI Mode's conversational flow never reaches.

What to do about it

Cover subtopics fully. AI Mode's query fan-out rewards content that addresses related questions, not just the primary query. Use descriptive subheadings that match how people phrase questions. Add FAQ blocks to key pages. These practices improve your chances in both AI Overviews and AI Mode. For tactics on AI Overviews, see our guide on how to get cited in AI Overviews. For broader context, read our insight on Google AI Mode.

The bottom line

Do not treat AI Overviews and AI Mode as the same thing. They have different citation rates, different click behaviours, and different content preferences. Optimise for both by building well-structured content with clear subtopic coverage. But understand that AI Mode citations are a brand awareness play. AI Overview citations can still drive traffic.