AI Overview Top Sources
When Google creates AI Overviews, it pulls information from multiple websites. These websites become "sources" for the AI-generated summary.
The Top Sources chart shows you which domains Google cites most often. You'll see who dominates the AI Overview space for your tracked keywords.
Why top sources matter
Understanding top sources reveals competitive intelligence. You'll identify which websites Google trusts as authoritative on your topics.
When competitors appear frequently, you can study their content approach. When your domain ranks high, you'll know your content strategy works.
Find the top sources chart
Navigate to the Keywords dashboard. Look for the AI overview section and select the Top Sources tab.
You'll see a horizontal bar chart. Each bar represents one domain. Longer bars mean more citations.
Read the chart
The chart displays up to 10 domains. These are the most-cited sources across your keyword set.
Domain names appear on the left axis. These are the websites Google referenced.
Mention counts show on the right. This number tells you how many times Google cited each domain.
Filter by search group
Use your search group dropdown to narrow results. Select a specific domain set to focus the analysis.
This filter ensures you see sources relevant to your current project or client.
Understand the data timeframe
The chart shows the most recent data available. SERP360 pulls information from your latest keyword checks.
Spot trends and patterns
High-frequency domains
Domains with the most mentions earn Google's trust repeatedly. Study these sites to understand what makes them authoritative. Look at their content structure, depth, and topical coverage. You're seeing what Google values.
Your domain position
If your domain appears in the top 10, you're doing something right. Track your mention count over time as you add and optimise content. Rising counts mean your authority grows. Falling counts signal you need to refresh your approach.
Competitor analysis
Identify direct competitors in the chart. Note their mention frequency compared to yours.
Check which keywords they dominate. This reveals content gaps you can fill.
Authority domains
Large publishers or industry-standard sites often appear. These set the benchmark for content quality and depth. You won't always outrank them, but you can learn from their patterns.
Make strategic decisions
Content gaps
Sources that dominate topics you care about show you what's working. If they appear frequently and you don't, you've found a content opportunity. Create or enhance content on those topics. Match the depth and quality Google rewards.
Partnership opportunities
Frequent sources might make valuable link partners or collaboration targets. They're already in Google's trusted circle for your topics. Reaching these domains builds your authority by association.
Topic authority
If one domain dominates across multiple keywords, they own that topic space. Decide whether to compete directly or find adjacent angles. Sometimes carving a specific niche proves more effective than battling established leaders.
Chart interaction
The chart displays automatically when you open the Top Sources tab. No clicks needed.
As you change filters, the chart reloads instantly. You'll see updated data within seconds.
The chart scales vertically based on how many sources appear. More sources mean a taller chart for better readability.
When data doesn't appear
If the chart shows "No data for this selection", you've hit one of these scenarios:
No AI Overviews exist for your filtered keywords. Google doesn't show AI summaries for every search.
No recent data is available. Check keywords more frequently to populate the chart.
Filter mismatch eliminates all results. Try broadening your keyword or search group selection.
Technical notes
The system counts distinct citations per domain. If Google cites the same domain twice in one AI Overview, it counts as one mention for that keyword.
The chart aggregates across keywords. Total mentions reflect how many times each domain appears across all your tracked searches. Data comes from Google AI Overviews only. Other search engines aren't included in this analysis.
Refresh your data
The chart updates automatically when you change filters. You don't need to reload the page. New data replaces old information, keeping your insights current.
Get support
Questions about interpreting your top sources data? Contact our support team through the help icon in your dashboard. We'll help you turn insights into action.