Google AI Overview, the feature that shows an AI-generated summary at the very top of search results, is now live in more than 40 countries and covers nearly every query category. The June 2026 update brings significant changes with a direct impact on brand visibility in Google search.
What changed in the June 2026 update?
First, AI Overview now appears for more query types, including local product searches and service recommendations. Second, the display format changed: it now names brands explicitly more often, along with a brief reason. Third, Google added a "brand comparison" feature in some categories, where the AI directly compares two or three brands in a single answer.
How does Gemini choose which brands to mention?
Based on our analysis of hundreds of AI Overview results, Gemini tends to mention brands that: (1) have a complete, actively maintained Google Business Profile, (2) have a high rating with a meaningful number of reviews, (3) are frequently mentioned in news sites and articles indexed by Google, and (4) have website content relevant to what the user actually asked.
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Brands that want to appear in AI Overview need to nail three things: keep the Google Business Profile updated regularly, make website content answer the questions consumers actually ask (not just sell the product), and actively manage online reputation through review responses and media presence.
Impact on organic traffic
Early data shows pages mentioned in AI Overview see a rise in branded search traffic, people who see a brand name in AI Overview then search for that brand name directly afterward. This creates a new traffic pattern different from traditional SEO, and it is a strong argument for starting to invest time in GEO.