Human-centred AI content for AI Overviews

You want your brand named inside answers, not just ranked.
Let us build pages that read like a person wrote them and that models can trust.

You can publish a solid article and still miss out because the page does not answer the exact job the reader came to do. Models pick up that mismatch quickly. If your intro meanders or your conclusion hides the point, systems have to infer the answer, which they avoid when there is a cleaner source.

The fix is simple in theory and hard in practice. Pick one clear question. State the answer near the top in two sentences. Use the rest of the page to back it up with proof, examples, and a clear next step. It sounds basic. It works.

Even good facts lose weight when the voice feels synthetic or distant. Readers sense it. AI Overviews sample lines that are concise, grounded, and human. When your copy is padded or timid, it gets skipped. Thin proof makes this worse. Claims without names, dates, or sources are easy to ignore.

Add a compact proof box on every key page. Include a cited stat, a named source, and one specific outcome. Keep the voice plain and lightly conversational. A short aside or cautious qualifier is fine. It reads real and gives models a quotable segment they can lift with less risk.

If your headline promises one thing and subheads wander, models struggle to place the page in a single node of meaning. That hurts selection. Map the topic before you write. List the primary entity, two or three related entities, and the user intent that ties them together. Mirror that in your headings and internal links.

Keep the schema tidy and matched to visible content. No filler properties. Use a simple hierarchy. H1 for the core idea. H2s for the main questions. H3s for tight expansions. It sounds basic because it is. This tidy structure is often what gets pages chosen.

• Read the first two paragraphs out loud.
• Ask yourself: Did I answer the thing someone typed into search?
• If not, add one clear definition, one small example, and a visible next action such as a call button or short form.

Clear language is the front door to good CX. People find answers faster and stay longer. That helps readers, and it helps AI systems trust your page.

Human-centred is a promise not to waste time. Use common words. Break long ideas into short lines, then let a few longer sentences breathe when nuance matters. Cut the fluff you do not need and keep the qualifiers that make you sound like a person. Avoid jargon unless your audience expects it, and if they do, define it once the way you would for a new colleague on day one. Could a teammate read the first screen, nod, and act without scrolling? If not, simplify.

Decide who the page is for and what the page will help them do. That choice sets the tone, the examples, the CTA, and even alt text. A page for founders sounds different to a page for in-house marketers, and that is fine. Say who you are speaking to near the top. It gives models and people a shared anchor. Align examples and questions with that audience. This reduces bounce and increases the chance your lines get lifted into an Overview that serves the same person.

Perfect symmetry reads like instructions. Allow small hesitations, short lists, and the odd aside that shows judgement rather than bland certainty. You can still be precise. You are just stripping away stiff edges that scream machine. One first-person line per section helps. It signals presence without turning the page into a diary. Keep it measured. Keep it helpful. The goal is a skilled colleague talking you through the next step.

Write in blocks that can stand alone. A two-sentence definition. A three-point list of steps. A proof box with one stat and a source. These units are easy for models to cite and safe for them to include. Mark them up with headings that match the visible text. Place the definition high on the page. Keep each block complete without needing the rest of the article. If it feels repetitive, trim surrounding copy rather than shrinking the block.

Systems prefer content that is specific, current for the topic, and free of contradictions within the same page. They favour lines that resolve a question directly without hedging. Support this by placing a clear answer early, reinforcing it with a short example, and keeping tangents for later sections. Freshness does not mean constant rewrites. It means meaningful updates when facts change or when you learn something new from users. Add dates where they help. Name the audience. Tidy your structure.

On page CX signals

• Fast load and stable layout
• Scannable headings and short paragraphs
• Mobile comfort and readable tap targets
• Clear next step that matches intent

These are simple moves that add up to good CX.

Entities are the building blocks of meaning. Name the primary entity and the key related entities. Reflect that in headings, internal links, and schema. Keep schema honest and minimal. Article plus an FAQ page is often enough for an informational piece. Local Business or Service helps when there is a local or commercial angle. Match the schema text to what people can see on the page. If you say it in code, say it in words.

• Use a single labelled diagram to explain a process rather than a stack of stock images.
• If a short talking-head clip helps, place it beside the section it supports. Give every asset a descriptive filename and alt text that states what it is. Keep file sizes sensible so the page stays quick on mobile.
• Useful visuals reduce effort and create good CX without slowing the page.

Short answers win the first screen. Depth matters when the topic has real stakes. Start with a concise definition that stands alone. Expand with a practical example, a compact table, or a worked scenario. If you feel the urge to add everything you know, pause. Ask what would help a time-poor reader take the next step. Link to deeper resources rather than burying the core message. Brief first. Helpful depth next.

Before you draft, write a tiny map. One primary entity. Three related entities. One user’s job to be done. This map drives headings, examples, and internal links. It keeps language consistent across pages. Place the definition of the primary entity high on the page. Add short links to the related entities, ideally to your own supporting guides. Models get a clean web of meaning. Readers get quick routes to learn more.

Create a two-sentence answer that could sit at the top of a briefing. Follow with a three- to five-point list a reader can scan in ten seconds. Keep verbs active and concrete. Include one number if it helps. If you borrow a fact, name the source. These blocks are ready to lift for AI Overviews and quick wins for busy users. They also force clarity inside your team. I think that discipline helps.

Build a small hub for each important topic. One central explainer. Three to five supporting pages that go deeper on subtopics. Link with plain anchor text that describes the destination. Do not overdo it. A few honest links beat a cloud of vague ones. This pattern helps models see your knowledge structure and helps readers get answers without hunting. It also spreads authority in a natural way. Over time, the hub becomes the place you update first.

Publish enough detail to be useful while keeping sensitive tactics off page. Share the what and the why, plus a few clean examples. Hold back proprietary levers and thresholds. Add a short redaction statement so readers know you do this on purpose. It signals care for clients and prevents copycats from lifting your playbook.

Open by naming the reader and the job you will help them complete. Keep it human. Acknowledge the pressure or confusion they might feel. Then state what the page covers in one clear line. This sets the expectation and tells models the exact question you answer.

Place a clean answer immediately after the intro. Write it so it stands alone outside the page. Avoid hedging. If you need a qualifier, keep it short and honest. This block is your best chance of being quoted. It is also the fastest way to help someone in a hurry.

Follow the answer with a compact proof box. One stat. One named source. One local example if you have it. Add the month and year where it matters. Keep it neat so models can parse it. Readers will appreciate the clarity too.
Example layout

• Stat. Short and exact
• Source. Named and dated
• Example. One line on outcome
• Link. Read more

Show who wrote the page and who stands behind it. Add a short bio that explains why this person knows the topic. Link to a fuller profile. Beside it, include a small organisation card with a plain description, a city, and a contact path. This pairing reassures readers and helps systems connect the dots between a person, a company, and a subject.

Add your name, address, and phone number in a tidy block near the end, then repeat the phone number beside a clear call to action. Offer two or three contact paths. Call, form, or email is usually enough. Keep hours simple. State your region. Small details improve trust and reduce friction when someone is ready to act.

Collect questions from calls and emails. Answer each in four to six lines using the same words a customer would use. Avoid marketing fluff. Link to deeper resources where helpful. This format feeds AI systems clean pairs of Q&A while giving human readers a quick way to check the one thing on their mind.

Mark up the page with minimal, accurate schema that mirrors the visible text. Do not add claims in code you do not show in words. Keep it current when the page changes. Clean hygiene builds trust over time.

Customers want fast answers. Tell them where you work, what you fix, and when you can get there. Use suburb lists and a simple map. Add photos of real jobs. Include licence numbers and membership logos if you have them. A short safety note builds trust without drama.
Reusable blocks

• What you do in two sentences
• Service area and typical response times
• Proof box. One review and a dated photo
• FAQ. Prices, after hours, warranties

Patients read carefully. Name your qualifications, your scope, and your limits. Describe common symptoms in plain English. Say what you can do in the clinic and when you refer. Avoid jargon unless it helps. If it does, define it.
Helpful elements

• What you treat and for whom
• Care pathway. First visit, follow-up, referral
• Proof box. Guideline or college reference with date
• Access. Fees, hours, parking, accessibility

Consent and privacy. Short, visible, respectful

Clients want clarity. Say what you do, what you do not do, and how you protect their interests. Use plain fee language. Fixed fee where possible. Ranges were not. Declare conflict rules. Set expectations on response times.
Page pattern

• The service in two lines
• Steps. Discovery, scoping, delivery, follow-up
• Proof box. Regulation or code reference, dated
• FAQ. Timelines, documents needed, and what could change the scope

Complaints pathway. One short paragraph

Buyers and sellers need grounded context. Explain the actions you handle, then add local rule highlights that often trip people up. Keep it factual. No hype.
Add these

• What you provide
• Local notes. Common consents, zones, or checks
• Proof box. Link to an official source with date
• Process. From enquiry to handover in four steps
• FAQ. Timeframes, documents, who does what

Shoppers want no surprises. Describe the product in everyday words. Include sizing or fit notes. Show delivery times by region. Returns should be clear and short.
Blocks to repeat

• What the product solves
• Proof box. Star rating and one recent review
• Delivery. Timeframes and cut-offs
• Returns. How to start, what it costs, how long it takes
• FAQ. Sizing, care, spare parts

Buyers look for fit and risk. Lead with the top use cases and who gets value. State how you handle data. Keep it crisp and specific enough to feel real.
Suggested layout

• What the product does for a role
• Three short scenarios with outcomes
• Proof box. Uptime, security certification, or audit reference with date
• Data handling. Storage, retention basics, user rights
• FAQ. Onboarding time, support hours, and cancellation

People need to know what service they can access, who qualifies, and how to start. Keep the reading level friendly. Add NZSL, captions, and language options if relevant.
Key elements

• What help is available
• Eligibility
• Proof box. Act, policy, or guidance with date
• Access. Locations, hours, phone, online form
• Accessibility. Alt text, keyboard support, contact for assistance

Lift one recent review into a compact block near your first answer. Name the platform and month. Do not cherry-pick wording that sounds fake. Add a link to more reviews. If you serve multiple regions, show a small count per location.
Include

• Source name and date
• Star rating and short quote
• Service delivered and outcome in a line

Facts without names or dates age badly. Where you cite a number, say who published it and when. Use original sources where possible. Avoid vague attributions.
Good practice

• Name of organisation or journal
• Month and year
• The exact stat as it appears
• One line on why it matters here

Keep case notes short. One paragraph. Describe the problem, the key move, and the measurable outcome. No client secrets.
Template

• Context. Who and where
• Move. What changed
• Result. One number and a time frame

State your privacy posture in plain English. Explain what you will not publish for competitive or client protection reasons. Offer a simple complaints route.
Include

• Privacy summary with a link to full policy
• Redaction statement
• Contact for concerns

Fast, readable pages win. Keep sentences short enough to scan. Use real headings. Add alt text that describes the image. Ensure buttons are easy to tap on mobile.
Quick checklist

• Reading comfort on small screens
• Alt text for meaningful images
• Tap targets with space
• Images compressed without blur

Track how often your pages get named inside AI answers. Pick ten target questions. Search weekly. If you see your brand or a direct lift, take a screenshot. Save it with date, query, and page. Keep a simple sheet that counts inclusions over time.
Why it helps

• Shows progress even when traffic lags
• Flags topics that deserve more depth
• Creates proof for stakeholders

Mentions are nice. Contacts pay bills. Log when visitors who touch your GEO pages call, email, or submit a form. Use simple event tracking. Add a field in your CRM for the landing page and the last page before contact.
Watch for

• Assisted conversions from supporting pages
• Contact clicks from answer blocks and FAQs
• Queries that most often precede contact

CX metrics to watch:

1. Task completion rate on the page
2. Time to first click on the main CTA
3. Scroll depth to the proof box and FAQ
4. CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Scores) micro survey after contact
5. First reply time on form submissions
6. Better numbers here usually signal good CX

Set a light rhythm. Quarterly works for many teams. Refresh definitions, replace dated stats, and add one new proof. Try one small change at a time so you can see the impact.
Safe tests

• Tighten the two-sentence answer
• Swap a stock image for a labelled diagram
• Add one sector example
• Improve an FAQ with the words customers use

Start with clarity. Re-read the definition and the answer block. Remove hedging. Next, check for contradictions between headings and body text. Replace stale stats. Ensure internal links still point to live, relevant pages. Finally, look at speed and mobile layout. If people struggle to read, models hesitate to lift.
Order of work

• Definition and answer block
• Facts and dates
• Internal links and structure
• Speed and readability

Is human-centred content different from E E A T

Yes. One is how you write for people. The other is a way search teams judge quality across lived stories, knowledge, and trust signals. You can and should do both. Use the human approach on the page and support it with clear authorship, sources, and tidy organisation details.

Do I need GEO for this approach?

If you want to be named inside answers, I think so. GEO gives a simple structure that models can parse. Short definitions. Answer blocks. Clean entities. Honest schema. Your human writing makes it readable. Together they work.

How long until pages appear in AI Overviews

Timelines vary. New pages can take a while. Updates on established pages can move faster. Focus on clarity, proof, and entity alignment. Give it a few weeks. Keep improving. No one can promise instant results.

What schema should I start with

For an informational page, use Article and FAQ Page. If you have a local or commercial angle, add Local Business or Service. Keep the text in the schema aligned to what readers can see. No hidden claims.

Does spelling matter? Centred or centered

Use centred for New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Use centered for the United States. Pick one per page. Consistency helps users and reduces small parsing errors.

Can small teams do this without complex tools?

Yes. Start with one page pattern and repeat it. Two-sentence answer. Proof box. FAQ. Light schema. A screenshot habit for tracking. It is not glamorous. It is doable and it works.

What does good CX look like on a content page?

Fast load. Clear answer near the top. Short proof. A visible next step. Mobile comfort. If a busy person can act in under a minute, that is good CX.

Cathy Mellett
Founder and Director, Net Branding Limited, Auckland

Cathy writes and edits human-centred pages designed to be named inside answers. She has worked with teams across trades, health, professional services, property, retail, and technology. Her focus is simple. Give readers a straight answer, then back it with clean proof. Keep enough detail to help. Keep sensitive levers off page. I think that balance builds trust and protects results.

She is a published author and the founder of the I’m Enough Charitable Trust. She speaks and mentors on practical search, GEO, and content operations. When she is not working on client pages, she tests new patterns on Net Branding first. That way, the advice is based on lived work, not theory.

If you want a page that reads like a person wrote it and gets named inside answers, we can help. At Net Branding, we structure content for AI Overviews using clear entities, short definitions, and honest schema. We are careful with what we share and what we keep back. That protects your advantage.

Book a short call. We will review one target topic and suggest a clean page pattern you can ship this month. Be seen. Be heard. Be found.

Net Branding Limited

165 Orakei Road
Remuera
Auckland 1050
Phone: 09 523 0478
Mobile: 021 122 9116
Email: sales@netbranding.co.nz