Is Google’s AI Overviews Taking Over Google Search Space in SERPs?
BrightEdge came with a new report revealing that Google’s AI Overviews are overtaking Google Search Results Page space.
The Google Search Results Page, which used to show Google Ads and organic search results with ten blue links, now has less space thanks to growing AI Overviews.
Google’s AI Overviews feature was initiated in 2024, but we have seen various discussions about it since then.
Firstly, AI started summarizing our uploaded information directly in search results. Some users find this new feature helpful but brands and businesses observed few clicks on their links resulting in less traffic to their website.
Also, Google’s AI Overviews feature started taking up more and more space on Google search results pages, leaving less space for organic search links.
Earlier, every other website owner worked hard to rank on search engine traffic to earn good revenue. But with AI overviews providing users answers directly, website owners and publishers struggled to get earnings.
Key Findings from BrightEdge Report
1. Space Taken by AI Overviews
During AI Overview’s initial launch in May 2024, 600 pixels of space were acquired by the platform. This area is mostly what users view first before they scroll. But later, this space grew to 800 pixels. Now, as per the report, it is expected to reach 1,000 pixels in the future.
2. More Search Queries Show AI Overviews
Earlier, AI Overviews were visible for only certain search types. But now, it is all over the place, i.e., health, technology, finance, etc.
It is expected to grow over other areas, including travel, restaurants, and entertainment.
Read More: AI Overviews Available in More Countries
Why This Matter is a New Concern?
With AI Overviews taking more screen space means less traffic coming from organic search links. The only way to get higher earnings is to target AI Overviews results.
Secondly, there will be less interaction with websites from organic search results as people would prefer AI features.
What Should Publishers and Website Owners Do?
As per Jim Yu, CEO of BrightEdge, Website Owners and Publishers must be clear in their writing and adapt to the complexity of optimization and content creation. They must make content that is authoritative and directly answers users’ complex questions. Incorporate schema tags to your website so Google knows how to display and prioritize your content. Analyze what kind of content AI Overviews are targeting for specific search terms and strategize according to it. Also, watch competitors that are getting featured in AI Overviews and analyze them.
What I have to ask you all is: Adapting GEO is the need of the hour. What do you think?
