AI Overviews from Google now appear in fewer than 7% of searches, marking a significant decline from previous levels. This drop is particularly pronounced in sectors such as education, entertainment, and ecommerce. Additionally, platforms like Reddit and Quora, once frequently cited, now rarely feature in AI Overviews.

The diminishing visibility of AI-generated answers started around mid-April, coinciding with a sharp increase in Google Search results without Search Generative Experience (SGE), which surged to 65% from just 25%. Despite the initial rollout announcement of AI Overviews at Google I/O in May, where they appeared in 15% of queries, subsequent months have seen a downward trend.

Reports from BrightEdge’s Generative Parser indicate a continued decrease in AI Overview presence, dropping from 11% to 7% of queries by June, with intermittent fluctuations. Notably, sectors like education saw AI Overviews decrease from 26% to 13%, while entertainment queries dropped to nearly zero percent from 14%. Similarly, ecommerce queries experienced a decline from 26% to 9%.

In response to criticisms over incorrect AI-generated answers, including potentially harmful suggestions, Google has pledged improvements to AI Overviews. Recent data also suggests a reduced pixel space for AI Overviews at the top of search results, averaging 13% smaller.

Furthermore, Google has adjusted its approach to reduce duplication between AI and classic search results, aiming to provide more diverse sources in AI Overviews. This strategy aligns with Google’s emphasis on proactive information retrieval for users.

The trends indicate that AI Overviews are highly influenced by search intent, with queries like “best” and “how to” showing increased AI Overview presence, while brand-specific and product-related queries exhibit declines. Notably, user-generated content platforms like Reddit and Quora have seen significant drops in AI Overview citations, reflecting Google’s evolving trust criteria for these sources.

Despite these changes, AI Overviews remain a pivotal focus for SEO strategies and content creation. Google continues to refine its approach to enhance user experience, though the long-term impact on search traffic dynamics remains a subject of ongoing scrutiny and adaptation among digital marketers and publishers.