AI Overviews Are Stealing All the Clicks

[katie_brooks]

Feels like we spent years learning how to rank… just for AI to take the traffic anyway. Pages still rank. Impressions still show.
But clicks? Slowly disappearing into AI summaries. SEO used to be about getting the click. Now it feels like we’re feeding the machine that replaces us.
Those building real brands might survive. Thin sites depending on search traffic alone… not so much. Interested to hear how others are navigating this change..

 

[ImMagiC?]

Ai is only good for general questions or coding issues mostly. I'm just focusing on very targeted keywords that Ai can't help so it brings some for the start. it's has been much harder than before and we can't do anything more

 

[tazarbm]

SEO used to be about getting the click. Now it feels like we’re feeding the machine that replaces us.

all by design... the end goal is for the human psyche to be connected to the AI so that the AI generates all of our thoughts and emotions so that we can never revolt or think outside of the box that doesn't even exist in the 1st place.

We're not there yet, but the plan is to connect the human mind to the AI by 2030, and to get there google and their overlords (NOT humans believe it or not) are implementing their agenda in small increments in hoping that people don't notice the path and the end goal...

I'm just focusing on very targeted keywords that Ai can't help

The (non-human version of) AI can already do more than what it does, it's just that the humans are not prepared yet, both on psychological and technological level to use it for its purpose, that's why we're not yet fully subjugated (in a sense, our involution still keeps us alive and free for now). But the technology is there, and it's not human, like I said.

Personally, I would recommend everyone to stop doing business online, but I'm sure that most of you will consider me bonkers nuts for suggesting this, so I guess we have to go slowly into our trap until everyone wakes up... if they ever do...

 

[Nikolaos]

Feels like we spent years learning how to rank… just for AI to take the traffic anyway. Pages still rank. Impressions still show.
But clicks? Slowly disappearing into AI summaries. SEO used to be about getting the click. Now it feels like we’re feeding the machine that replaces us.
Those building real brands might survive. Thin sites depending on search traffic alone… not so much. Interested to hear how others are navigating this change..

I totally agree, the big players get the biggest slice of the pie, because they do branding and branding by itself beats just getting search traffic. If you can become an expert in any field your voice also carries great authority which compounds over time and it brings you dedicated clients and a loyal fan base. Compared to just traffic building, branding is the epitome of attracting traffic and clients to your website and business.

 

[Ben Arthur]

AI summaries are cutting clicks, so building a strong brand and unique content is key to keeping traffic.

 

[gardian2]

Ai is only good for general questions or coding issues mostly. I'm just focusing on very targeted keywords that Ai can't help so it brings some for the start. it's has been much harder than before and we can't do anything more

I mean Google overviews apply to much more than this, even when people google for the best solution/product in XXXXX category, now they just look at the AI overview, while before you could make a blog article about it, now you can still do that, but you have to hope that AI will quote it.

 

[cybersexuals]

yeah, I'm seeing the same with google results lately. rankings still there, but clicks feel thinner. gotta adapt or traffic slowly fades.

 

[dekadent30]

When they hijack traffic from sites, they won't earn from adsense ads

 

[Charlotte hayes]

It really does feel like impressions are turning into vanity metrics now. I’ve started prioritizing brand signals and stronger on-SERP hooks instead of just rankings. Curious whether others are shifting strategy or still chasing positions.

 

[ImMagiC?]

I mean Google overviews apply to much more than this, even when people google for the best solution/product in XXXXX category, now they just look at the AI overview, while before you could make a blog article about it, now you can still do that, but you have to hope that AI will quote it.

Yes but it's ok. Just keep the content good enough content so Ai copy some from you and you site gets great ranking because of that. you can combine social media to gain more direct traffic : D

 

[rebe001]

Yeah, i think this trend will continue to increase unfortunately

 

[megakim]

Clicks drop on generic info queries for sure. If your content is just summary level AI will eat it.

You need unique data tools or strong brand so people click you not the overview.