A digital-friendly world full of information serves up information with a click. 

Yes, you guessed it right- Google AI Overview!!!

Are we dependent on Google AI Overview? And so, SEO traffic is sinking?

One of the highlighted merits of Google AI Overview is making information accessible to the user according to their needs, where they can explore a variety of websites for reference and the required content. In practice, before we step in, the practicality is to analyse what actually happens while using AI overviews and SEO traffic.

AI Overview is blocking back SEO traffic

SEO is running back with quick results from Google AI Overviews.

The important question regarding AI Overview is: What impact does it have on website traffic? In early 2024, Google began expanding its AI Overviews: concise, AI-generated summaries presented at the top of search results pages (SERPs). The aim was to improve the search experience by steadfastly instant answers to user queries, especially those that are informational in nature.

However, an expanding corpus of data currently illustrates a significantly intricate scenario:

While user experience has improved, organic click-through rates (CTR) have significantly declined.Web traffic is falling, and businesses relying on Google for inbound visitors feel the squeeze.

So what’s really happening behind the scenes? And more importantly, how can marketers and website owners adapt?

What are the AI overviews of Google?

AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that Google displays at the top of search results in response to various inquiries. These summaries combine information from multiple sources to deliver a clear answer, often eliminating the need for visitors to click through to a specific webpage.

AI Overviews frequently extract content from high-ranking pages, snippets, or authoritative websites and offer it in a simplified, chatbot-like manner. While this strategy benefits users, it bypasses traditional web content, making it more difficult for sites to get clicks, even if they appear in the summary.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves: CTRs Are Taking a Hit

Several reputable sourceshave studied the effect of AI Overviews, and the numbers are consistent and concerning.

• Ahrefs found a 34.5% decrease in average CTR for top-ranking pages when AI Overviews were present.
• Amsive reported a 15.49% average CTR drop.
• SimilarWeb found that AI Overview results get 20% fewer clicks overall.

Even more startling, according to recent studies by Daniel Foley Carter, is the fact that this no longer solely affects non-branded informative requests. Commercial intent queries, which drive conversions, are also starting to include AI Overviews more frequently.

The turning point is in short, indicating more impressions and fewer clicks.

What’s shocking is that your site might still be visible, but that visibility no longer guarantees traffic.

This Shift Matters for SEO and Content Strategy

Historically, the goal of SEO was to optimise for rankings and drive traffic. But AI Overviews are shifting that equation:

Users are getting their answers in the SERPs.

It is commonly understood that, why would they click a link when Google gives them the answer upfront? Even top-ranking content is getting fewer clicks.

The traditional patterns are no longer the golden ticket they once were.

On mobile devices with limited screen space, AI Overviews dominate the top of the page, pushing organic results down and further lowering visibility.These changes fundamentally alter the user journey, especially for informational searches. This shift isn’t just a tweak in the algorithm — it’s an evolution in how users interact with search engines.

It’s Not Just a Click Problem — It’s a Business Obstacle

A blog that previously received 1,000 clicks per day from informational queries might now only get 650 for sites relying on affiliate links, ads, or lead generation, that 35% loss can translate to real revenue loss.

Even for branded queries, users might not reach your website if the AI Overview answers their question without requiring a click.The issue is that Google is becoming the destination, not just a gateway to external content.

But All Is Not Lost! Here’s What You Can Do

This isn’t the end of SEO. But it is the beginning of a new chapter.

Here’s how to adapt your content strategy:

1. Reframe Your SEO Goals

Instead of focusing solely on clicks, shift toward brand authority, topic coverage, and visibility across multiple channels.

• Do users see your name or brand in AI Overviews?
• Are you being cited as a source of authority?
• Are users searching for you directly after reading the overview?

These are new signals of success.

2. Double Down on Topical Authority

• AI Overviews often pull from authoritative, trusted sources. That means building content that:
• Is deep, not just broad.
• Covers related subtopics within your niche.
• Answers complex or nuanced questions — the kind AI may struggle to fully summarize.
• Become the site that others cite.

That means better chances of appearing in the AI Overview itself.

3. Create Short-Form, Question-Based Content

As AI Overview behaviour aligns with answering questions instantly:

• Shorter posts that answer a specific question clearly and concisely.
• Use headers like “What is…”, “How to…”, and “Why does…” to match query intent.
• Include summaries and key takeaways to increase your chances of being picked up.
• Think “snackable knowledge” — quick to consume, but packed with value.

Your content should mirror that approach.

4. Adopt a Short-Form Video Strategy

User behaviour is shifting toward short-form video across platforms.:

• Break down blog posts into 30-60 second clips.
• Distribute on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
• Use video to reinforce key takeaways from your written content.
• The goal: Be seen, even if it’s not through traditional search.

Apply this above format to your content strategy

5. Embrace Structured Data & Schema Markup

Google uses structured data to understand and present your content in more meaningful ways:

• Use Schema markup for FAQs, How-Tos, Reviews, and Products.
• Ensure your content is crawlable and machine-readable.
• Help Google understand exactly what your content offers.

It increases the odds of your content influencingor appearing in AI Overviews.

6. Build Your Brand, Not Just Traffic

When users seek more information beyond the AI Overview, they’re more likely to click on brands they recognise.

Focus on growing your email list, increasing direct traffic, and being active and valuable on social media.

Make your brand a go-to resource, not just another result.

It is obvious even to think “Is This the End of SEO as We Know It? “

And the answer is – Not exactly, but the game has changed.Google’s AI Overviews aren’t going away. They weren’t designed to boost your web traffic but to answer user queries faster and keep users in the Google ecosystem longer.

We’re entering a new era where relevance trumps ranking,Authority trumps optimisation,and User trust trumps visibility.

As wisely said, “The horse has bolted, and the stable door is open.”And that doesn’t mean we can’t ride the next wave of opportunity.

Every disruption brings a chance to innovate. This shift forces us to be more intentional, human, and strategic in delivering content.

So no, AI Overviews didn’t kill your blog. But they did expose its weaknesses.

Embrace this evolution, learn from it, and let’s build a future for your blog that’s even more impactful and resilient.