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How to structure your Google Sites page content to improve its chances of being cited in Google's new Search Generative Experience snapshots.
Compiled by GoogleSites.Dev
Learn how to optimize your Google Sites pages for the AI search era.
Last updated: January 2026
Google Search is Changing
Google search is changing. You may have already seen the colorful boxes appearing at the top of search results, offering an AI-generated summary answer before the traditional list of blue links.
This is SGE—Search Generative Experience.
For users of new Google Sites, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that many standard SGE optimization tactics rely on complex code (like Schema markup) which Google Sites doesn't allow us to access.
However, the opportunity is significant. Because technical tweaks are off the table, the playing field is leveled. Success in SGE on a Google Site comes down to one thing: having the clearest, most authoritative content that directly answers user questions.
What is SGE Looking For?
SGE uses AI to synthesize information from multiple sources to answer a user's query conversationally. It doesn't just want keywords; it wants context.
To be featured in an SGE snapshot, your content needs to be the "source of truth" that the AI chooses to cite. It is looking for content that is easy for a machine to read, understand, and verify.
1. The "Answer First" Strategy
SGE often tries to answer a question immediately. If your page buries the main answer in the fifth paragraph, the AI might miss it.
Adopt an "inverse pyramid" writing style. Provide the direct answer to the main topic question in the very first paragraph. Use the rest of the content to expand, provide evidence, and add nuance.
The Practical Fix: Look at your main page heading (H1). Immediately below it, add a concise, 2-3 sentence summary that answers the premise of that heading.
2. Master Heading Structure (H2s and H3s)
Because we cannot use technical code to tell Google what our page is about, we must rely heavily on standard HTML headings. Google Sites makes this easy using the text style dropdown (Heading, Subheading, etc.).
SGE uses headings to understand the hierarchy of your information. Do not use headings just to make text look bigger; use them to structure your argument:
H1 (Title): The main topic of the page.
H2 (Heading): The major sub-topics or steps.
H3 (Subheading): Specific details within those steps.
3. Use Question-Based Headings
A highly effective strategy for SGE is to format your H2 headings as direct questions that your audience is searching for.
Instead of an H2 that says "Pricing Information," try "How much does the service cost?"
Follow immediately with a direct answer. This Q&A format is incredibly easy for AI models to parse and extract for their summaries.
4. Embrace Bullet Points and Lists
AI models love structured data. While we can't use "structured data" code, we can structure our text visually.
When explaining steps, listing features, or providing examples, always use the bulleted or numbered list tools in the Google Sites editor. Dense blocks of text are harder for AI to extract specific citations from than a clean list.
The Practical Fix: Review your existing paragraphs. If you see three or more items listed in a sentence separated by commas, turn that sentence into a bulleted list.
5. Double Down on E-E-A-T
Google's emphasis on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) is crucial for SGE. The AI needs to know your site is a credible source before it cites it.
On Google Sites, you establish this through transparency:
Author Bios: Ensure your site has a clear "About" page detailing who you are and why you are qualified to write on this topic.
First-Person Experience: SGE values unique perspectives. Don't just regurgitate facts; add your personal experience or unique data to the content. Use phrases like "In our testing..." or "We found that..."
The Google Sites Advantage
It is easy to feel limited by the Google Sites platform in this new AI era. However, remember that Google wants to reward good content, regardless of the platform it is built on. By focusing on clarity, structure, and direct answers, your Google Site can compete for visibility in the new search landscape.
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