---
title: "Google Moves Brand-Search AI Overviews to the Right Column"
description: "Google now shows AI Overviews for many brand searches in the right-hand column, where the knowledge panel sat. What brands and site owners should check."
url: https://publishmyblog.com/seo/ai-overviews-brands-right-column/
section: "SEO"
author: "Saeed Shahriar"
published: 2026-11-04T13:16:00.400Z
---

# Google Moves Brand-Search AI Overviews to the Right Column

SEOs spotted it over several days on desktop. Google hasn't announced it, and the AI summary now sits where your brand's knowledge panel used to.

Google is now showing AI Overviews for many brand searches in the right-hand column, the spot where a brand's knowledge panel usually sits.

**They used to run at the top or in the middle of the main results.** One example: a search for [Apple].

## What changed

[Search Engine Roundtable](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-overviews-brands-right-42440.html) reported the move on November 2, with a before and after for that Apple search and lots of other brand examples.

Chris Long spotted it and posted on X. **He said Google is showing AI Overviews for brand terms in the right column** in place of a Knowledge Panel.

But he wasn't the first. Here's how the sightings line up:

- **October 27:** Sachin Patel posted that the Knowledge Panel now shows an AI-generated label.
- **October 31:** David McSweeney said branded searches seemed to have a new layout, with AI Overviews generally in a right panel on desktop, or sometimes further down the page.
- **November 2:** Barry Schwartz wrote it up, with Long's posts and his own examples.

McSweeney also said he was seeing other variations. **Assuming it's a real change, he called it "a good one."**

Has Google confirmed any of this? No.

**Google hasn't announced the change**, and none of the reports mention mobile.

## Why it matters

Schwartz's read is that Google is essentially replacing brand knowledge panels with AI Overviews.

He likes the layout better than an AI Overview in the main results. Still, he isn't comfortable with **trusting AI to describe your brand better than your own website** would.

I'm with him on both.

My guess is your organic listing gains from this, with more room on a search for your name. **But the panel beside it is now written by AI**, and you don't control what it says.

So what does Google's AI say about you right now?

I'd run three searches on desktop:

1. The brand name on its own.
2. Your brand plus "reviews".
3. The name of your main product, with or without the brand.

**Write down every claim the AI Overview makes.** Then look for the wrong price, the old address or a competitor's name.

Found a mistake? I'd fix the page it most likely came from first, such as your own About page, your **Google Business Profile** or an old article that still ranks for your name.

We've covered how [AI Overviews can cut clicks](https://publishmyblog.com/seo/ai-overviews-0-9-ctr-opt-out-test/). Our guide to [AI search and your website](https://publishmyblog.com/guides/ai-search-optimization/) has **the longer list of what still helps**.

Know what Google says about you. Fix what's wrong.

## Common Questions

**Where do AI Overviews show for brand searches now?**

For many brand searches on desktop, Google now shows the AI Overview in the right-hand column of the results page, where the knowledge panel used to sit, and in some cases further down the page instead of at the top.

**Is Google replacing knowledge panels with AI Overviews?**

That's how Search Engine Roundtable's Barry Schwartz describes it, and Chris Long said Google is showing AI Overviews for brand terms in place of a Knowledge Panel. Google hasn't announced the change.

**How do I check what Google's AI Overview says about my brand?**

Search your brand name on desktop and read the summary in the right column, then try your brand with words like "reviews" or your main product. Correct anything wrong at the source pages Google is likely to draw on.

## Sources

- [Google AI Overviews For Brands Move To Right Column](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-ai-overviews-brands-right-42440.html), Search Engine Roundtable