AI Overviews Barometer 2026: 0% in France, 90% in the United States

TL;DR — We measured the presence of Google AI Overviews across 296 informational queries (200 in France, 96 in the United States) in June 2026. The result: 0% in France, 89.6% in the United States. The wave has not reached France yet, but the US trajectory shows it is coming. Here are the numbers, who Google cites in its AI Overviews, and how to prepare your visibility now.

An AI Overview is the AI-generated summary Google shows at the very top of results, above the blue links. In the US it has become the norm. In France, many talk about it without knowing whether it is actually there. So we measured, instead of assuming.

What we measured

• 296 real informational queries, across 8 sectors: health, finance, SEO/marketing, e-commerce, legal, real estate, travel, tech.
• 200 queries on Google France (desktop, French) and 96 on Google US (desktop, English).
• Detection of the SERP AI Overview element via the DataForSEO API, in June 2026.
• For each query: presence of an AI Overview, presence of a featured snippet, and the list of sources cited by the AI Overview.

The headline: a France / US gap

In the US, nearly 9 out of 10 queries show an AI Overview. In France, across 200 informational queries, we detected none.

One important nuance: France is not free of direct answers. In 70.5% of cases, Google already answers directly via a featured snippet. In other words, zero-click already exists in France, just in an older form. The AI Overview itself has not flipped yet.

AI Overviews by sector (United States)

Looking at the US detail, no sector is spared:

• E-commerce: 100%
• Tech: 100%
• Health: 91.7%
• Travel: 91.7%
• Finance: 83.3%
• SEO / marketing: 83.3%
• Legal: 83.3%
• Real estate: 83.3%

Even sensitive sectors (health, finance, legal), where Google is traditionally cautious, exceed 83%.

Who does Google cite in its AI Overviews?

This is the most actionable finding. Across the US AI Overviews, the most cited sources are:

Two clear signals stand out:

1. Video and communities dominate. YouTube is by far the most cited source, followed by Reddit. Google does not rely on text alone: it draws heavily on video and community discussion.
2. Authority sources do the rest. Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, CDC, heart.org, Fidelity: Google cites recognized institutions in their field, not just any blog.

The practical takeaway: to be cited by Google's AI, you need to be a recognized authority on a specific topic, and to be present where Google looks (video, communities, reference content).

Why it matters, even if you are in France

France is on borrowed time, not exempt. The US trajectory leaves little doubt about the direction. When the AI Overview arrives, visibility will no longer be only about the ten blue links, but about being the source the AI cites.

The advantage goes to those who prepare before the shift, not after. Building topical authority takes months: starting today means getting ahead of competitors who will wait until the AI Overview is here to react.

How to prepare now (GEO)

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) means optimizing your visibility for generative engines. Given the data above, the priorities are clear:

• Build real topical authority: cover a subject in depth rather than in breadth, consistently and regularly.
• Invest in video: YouTube is the number one source of AI Overviews.
• Exist in communities: Reddit, specialized forums, wherever discussions are indexed.
• Structure content for extraction: direct answers at the start of sections, clear headings, sourced facts, structured data.

This is exactly the logic behind ForgR: automating the creation of coherent thematic blogs optimized for both classic SEO and GEO, with a dedicated agent for visibility in generative engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google).

Key takeaways

• As of June 2026, AI Overviews are virtually absent on French desktop SERPs (0% across 200 queries) and ubiquitous in the US (89.6%).
• In France, Google already answers directly in 70% of cases, but via featured snippets, not AI Overviews.
• When the AI Overview appears, Google cites YouTube and Reddit heavily, then recognized authority sources.
• The preparation window is open: build your topical authority now, before the wave reaches France.

FAQ

Do AI Overviews exist in France in 2026? On our sample of 200 informational desktop queries in June 2026, we detected none. Limited appearances (tests, mobile, logged-in accounts) remain possible, but on standard desktop SERPs, the AI Overview is still virtually absent in France.

Why such a gap with the United States? Google's rollout has been far more gradual in Europe, partly for regulatory reasons. The US acts as a leading indicator: what happens there usually spreads elsewhere afterward.

How do you get cited in an AI Overview? The data shows Google favors video (YouTube), communities (Reddit) and recognized authority sources. The key is to become a clear, structured reference on a specific topic.

Is classic SEO still useful? Yes. The signals that rank you in classic results (authority, quality content, sound technical setup) are the same that get you cited in AI Overviews. GEO complements SEO, it does not replace it.

Sources and methodology

• ForgR study, June 2026: 296 informational queries (200 France, 96 United States), 8 sectors.
• AI Overview detection and cited sources via the DataForSEO API (Google SERP, desktop).
• Raw data consolidated by ForgR. The figures cited here come directly from this measurement, without extrapolation.