Google is now expanding its AI Overviews in Search, which is set to have a significant impact on how users interact with search results. This move has the potential to change the way websites receive traffic and could pose a challenge for SEO strategies.
After initial testing, Google has decided to expand its AI Overviews to more regions, including the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. This means that users in these regions will now be able to access more in-depth information directly in the search results without having to click through to a website. Local language support will also be provided in each country.
One of the main concerns with the expansion of AI Overviews is the potential impact on referral traffic to websites. By providing detailed information in the search results, users may be less inclined to click through to websites, leading to a decrease in traffic for some sites. However, Google is testing new link displays and other features to encourage users to click through to websites, which could help mitigate this issue.
For SEO professionals, the expansion of AI Overviews raises important considerations. While the new feature may drive more traffic to a broader range of websites, it could also result in fewer clicks overall. However, Google notes that the clicks generated from search result pages with AI Overviews tend to be of higher quality, with users spending more time on the sites they visit. This could potentially benefit websites in the long run.
As Google continues to invest in AI technology, there may be commercial opportunities for businesses within its AI results. While AI Overviews have the potential to impact Google’s revenue from search ads, the company is likely to explore new ways to monetize its AI features. This is something digital marketers should keep an eye on as it could influence future advertising strategies.
The expansion of AI Overviews in Google Search is a significant development that has the potential to change the way users interact with search results. While there are concerns about the impact on referral traffic and SEO, there are also potential benefits, such as driving higher quality traffic to websites. It will be interesting to see how Google continues to evolve its AI features and how digital marketers adapt their strategies accordingly.