Google Slashes AI Overview Visibility by 70%! What’s Happening?

Google’s AI Overviews drop shockingly by 70%!! Users are turned off by the experience, citing incorrect results.

Google AI Overviews Visibility Drops Significantly

Google’s AI Overviews, previously known as Search Generative Experience (SGE) during its experimental phase, now appear in less than 15% of search queries, down from an initial 84%. This decrease began in mid-April and continued into May, coinciding with the official launch of AI Overviews in the U.S. The reduction followed several incidents of incorrect and potentially harmful AI-generated answers, such as dangerous health advice.

Changes in AI Overview Appearances

The decline in AI Overview appearances was detailed by BrightEdge, an enterprise SEO platform. Their data reveals that AI Overviews are 195% more likely to show up when a query includes a featured snippet, and question-based queries also frequently trigger AI Overviews. Conversely, AI Overviews are less likely to appear in search results with sitelinks or for local queries. The frequency of AI Overviews varies by industry, with significant drops noted in Healthcare, Restaurants, and Travel sectors.

Future of AI in Search

Despite the reduction in AI Overviews, the integration of AI into search remains a critical and evolving component of Google’s strategy. According to BrightEdge’s Founder, Jim Yu, the relationship between AI and search will continue to grow, with improvements in search quality, traffic management, and monetization expected over time. Google’s approach now includes performing additional searches for users and anticipating follow-up questions, aiming to enhance the overall search experience.

(Visit Search Engine Land for the full story)

*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.