AI Overviews have been a hot topic in the world of Google search recently. One month after my initial traffic impact analysis, I revisited the data to provide updated insights into the changes in AIO structures. These findings are particularly crucial for those looking to drive organic traffic from Google.
Shortly after the launch of AI Overviews on May 14, I delved into 1,675 queries and uncovered some interesting trends:
- – There was an 8.9% decrease in organic clicks when a domain was mentioned in AIOs compared to regular results.
- – A strong correlation between a domain’s organic ranks and AIO citations was observed.
- – Referral traffic variations based on user intent were noted.
Since my initial analysis, several key developments have taken place:
- – Featured snippets and AIOs have caused user confusion with slightly varying answers.
- – Google has significantly reduced the presence of AIOs across various industries.
- – AIOs now cite more sources than before.
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A Dramatic Decrease in AIOs
Following the launch of AIOs in the US, users encountered misleading and potentially harmful information. In response to this, Google swiftly pulled back on AIOs across the board, with some industries experiencing a two-thirds reduction.
Industries like Health, Science, and People & Society saw the most significant declines in AIO presence, as reported by Semrush Sensor data:
- – Health: -3.7% (desktop), 1.3% (mobile)
- – Science: -1% (desktop), -2.6% (mobile)
- – People & Society: -2% (desktop), -3.9% (mobile)
It appears that industries classified as YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) were most impacted by the AIO cuts. Despite some sectors witnessing a slight increase in AIOs, it didn’t exceed 0.2%.
The data points to a significant shift in the landscape of Google search results, indicating a move towards greater accountability and reliability.
The Evolution of AIOs Structure
One intriguing observation from the updated analysis is the change in AIO behavior post-PR backlash. There has been a notable increase in the number of citations within AIOs, with the average citations per query rising from 15 to 32.
Learn more about the structural changes and behavior of AIOs in the full post…
Conclusion
- Google’s reduction in AIOs signifies a shift towards more reliable and accurate search results.
- Websites now have a greater opportunity to be cited in AIOs, but solid performance in traditional web search remains crucial for visibility.
- Featured snippets and AIOs co-existing may lead to user confusion, impacting click-through rates.
As Google drives towards accountability and accuracy in search results, adapting to the changing landscape of AI Overviews will be key for websites aiming to maintain visibility and relevance.
Remember, the evolution of search technology means staying ahead of the curve with your SEO strategy!
Stay tuned for more updates on AI Overviews and their impact on organic search traffic.