In recent years, the way we discover information about nonprofits has evolved. Instead of sifting through pages of search results, we now often see a neat AI-generated summary right at the top. Let’s dive into how ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews handle this and how NGOs can ensure they show up accurately in these AI-powered snippets.
What Are AI Overviews and Why Do They Matter?
ChatGPT is a conversational AI that can answer questions and draft content on the fly, drawing on both its training data and, when available, the web. Google’s AI Overviews, meanwhile, are the summaries that appear directly in Google Search results. They aim to give users a quick answer synthesized from various sources. Google’s goal is to make searching more efficient by reducing the need to click on multiple links.
Fresh Data: AI Overviews Are on the Rise
As of December 2025, Google AI Overviews appear in over half of all searches—more than 50%. This is a significant increase from earlier in the year when they only showed up in roughly 25% of searches. For NGOs, this means that when someone searches for topics related to their mission, they’re more likely to see an AI-generated snippet before they see traditional search results.
Here’s a quick table to show how this has changed:
| Aspect | Early 2025 (%) | Late 2025 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Overviews Presence | ~25% | >50% |
This trend matters because while it can help users get quick info, it also means that users might not visit the NGO’s website as often. Instead, they might rely on the summary the AI provides.
Why Some NGOs Don’t Show Up (Or Show Up Incorrectly)
Not every NGO will appear in these AI overviews, and if they do, the information might not always be perfect. Several factors play into this:
- Trustworthiness and Structure: Sites that have clear organizational details, proper schema.org markup, and are linked by reputable sources tend to be seen as more reliable. That makes it easier for the AI to pull accurate details.
- Up-to-Date Content: If an NGO’s website is outdated or unclear, the AI might skip it or misinterpret what the NGO does.
- Visibility: If an NGO is referenced by well-known directories or mentioned in news articles, it’s more likely to appear in AI summaries.
How ChatGPT and Google Differ
ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews work a bit differently. ChatGPT is more conversational and can pull in information when asked directly. If a user asks specifically about your NGO’s area of work, it may reference general best practices or public information it has learned. Google’s AI Overviews, on the other hand, are built directly into search results and are meant to offer a quick preview with links to the source material.
Steps NGOs Can Take to Be AI-Friendly
So, what can NGOs do to ensure they’re represented accurately?
- Implement Structured Data: Use schema.org markup like
OrganizationandEventto help AI understand your site’s content. - Keep an “About Us” Page Up to Date: A simple, concise page that summarizes your mission, work, and
- Keep an “About Us” Page Up to Date: A simple, concise page that summarizes your mission, work, and impact makes it easier for AI to pick out key facts.
- Publish Citable Impact Data: Short, clear reports with specific numbers (like how many people you’ve helped) can be easily included in AI summaries.
- Get Listed in Reputable Directories: Being mentioned in well-known NGO directories or news articles increases your visibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of AI.
- Monitor and Adapt: Keep an eye on your website analytics to see if AI overviews are affecting your traffic. If you notice fewer visitors, you might need to tweak your content.
A Few Broader Insights
It’s worth noting that the rise of AI summaries has sparked some debate. Publishers and content creators have raised concerns that these overviews can reduce direct traffic to their sites. For NGOs, this means it’s more important than ever to make sure their key messages are easily accessible and accurately represented in those AI snippets.
In fact, recent reports have highlighted that while AI overviews can improve user experience, they can also challenge smaller organizations to keep control over their narrative. This is why having up-to-date, structured content is so crucial.
Conclusion
In the end, AI overviews aren’t a replacement for genuine engagement, but they are a powerful tool that can help people discover your NGO’s work more easily. By making your content clear, structured, and up-to-date, you can ensure that these AI tools represent you accurately.
If you need help making your NGO’s site more AI-friendly, feel free to reach out to us at Vsurgemedia. We can assist with optimizing your content so you’re well-represented in both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews.
📞 Call: 9065760967 🌐 Website: www.vsurgemedia.in
📧 Email: support@vsurgemedia.in