Following a real buzz at Google I/O, the visibility of Google’s AI Overviews in search results has notably diminished. SEO platform BrightEdge revealed that by the end of June, AI Overviews appeared in less than 7% of Google searches, a drop from 11% at the start of the month. While AI Overviews were never a dominant feature, the noticeable decline is significant, considering the initial excitement surrounding AI-driven search enhancements.

^{Declining Visibility of Google’s AI Overviews}

AI Overviews leverage the Google Gemini AI models to generate summaries based on search queries. Initially, Google showcased this feature enthusiastically, but the decline actually began in April, preceding the official Google I/O announcement. Initially appearing in 15% of queries, the presence of AI Overviews has steadily decreased, accelerating in June with a drop from 11% to 7%, as per BrightEdge’s data.

^{Sector-Specific Drops in AI Overviews Appearances}

The decline in Google’s AI Overviews has been consistent across various sectors, with some experiencing sharper reductions:

• Education: From 26% to 13%
• Entertainment: From 14% to almost zero
• E-commerce: From 26% to 9%

This trend suggests that Google is refining the use of AI Overviews to minimize the risk of inaccurate or misleading information. Additionally, the physical space occupied by AI Overviews in search results has reduced by 13%, indicating Google’s effort to balance AI content with traditional search results.

^{Possible Reasons Behind the Decline}

Several factors may explain this trend. Google’s continuous adjustments based on user feedback and internal testing are likely contributors. Publicized incidents of incorrect or dangerous AI-generated answers, such as erroneous advice, have likely fueled caution. Reducing AI Overviews could alleviate concerns about AI negatively impacting organic website traffic. However, Google remains committed to integrating AI Overviews extensively in the long run.

^{The Competitive Landscape}

Google is not alone in the AI search race. Competitors like Microsoft Bing are also pursuing AI-generated summaries. Despite the current pullback, BrightEdge remains optimistic about Google’s leadership in AI search.

Jim Yu, founder and Executive Chairman of BrightEdge, stated, “Google’s dominance remains strong, and its actions in AI are crucial for businesses and marketers worldwide. As AI evolves, marketers must leverage precise insights to monitor, prepare for changes, and adapt accordingly.”