Do AI Overviews change how you build links for informational pages?

Mr.Dollar

Mr.Dollar

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Lately a lot of informational queries in my niche show an AI answer at the top, and the clicks on those pages seem softer than before.
Are you still building links to blog and guide style pages the same way, or moving the effort to money pages and pages that still get clicks? Also wondering if anyone sees a difference in which pages get cited in the AI box, links or no links.

Curious what you are actually doing, not just theory.
 
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I will still build links to good info pages but I’d be more picky now. If AI is answering the query already I’d rather put more effort into pages that can bring actual leads or sales.
 
We still build links to info pages, just fewer of them.

If a guide sends people on to a service page, it gets links. If it only answers the question the AI box already answers, it doesn't.

Whether links decide which pages get cited, nobody outside Google really knows. I'd check who's cited for your terms first and see if anything links them together.

Are any of your info pages sending leads right now, or is it all traffic?
 
I’ve started putting less effort into pure informational pages because the clicks are softer now.

Still build some links there but mostly shift the stronger ones toward pages that can actually convert.
The AI boxes seem to pull from solid content more than just link strength.
 
Yeah, I’m still building links, but more selectively. For pages likely to get their clicks eaten by AI, I’m putting more effort into commercial pages. Also, I am paying attention to include AEO tactics to the content to get it visible in AI search results such as clear answers, strong structure, original insights, and content that’s actually worth citing. Google’s current guidance also says normal SEO fundamentals still matter for AI features.
 
Informational pages can still be useful for supporting the site and earning links, but I wouldn’t spend heavily on them if AI Overviews are taking most of the clicks.
 
Some info pages can still be worth linking if they help users move to another page or build trust before a sale.
 
I have shifted more of the link-building budget toward money pages and informational pages that still generate clicks.

For blog/guide pages, I’m still building links, but more selectively. I’m also watching which pages get cited in AI results. So far, strong topical relevance and authority seem more important than simply having a lot of back links.

Basically the links to pages that can actually bring traffic, leads, or support important commercial pages.
 
I am going to put more focus on making money from my money pages and those that are generating clicks, and use my information pages for establishing topical authority.

In terms of backlinks for AI citations, I have noticed that linked as well as unlinked pages get exposure.
 
Mr.Dollar said:
Lately a lot of informational queries in my niche show an AI answer at the top, and the clicks on those pages seem softer than before.
Are you still building links to blog and guide style pages the same way, or moving the effort to money pages and pages that still get clicks? Also wondering if anyone sees a difference in which pages get cited in the AI box, links or no links.

Curious what you are actually doing, not just theory.
Click to expand...
I’m moving more link-building to money pages and high-intent content, but still earning links to informational pages that can build topical authority and get cited—AI Overviews haven’t made links irrelevant, just made traffic potential more selective.
 
I’d shift most link effort to money pages and the guides that directly support them. Keep building links to informational pages when they earn real authority or answer something AI can’t fully satisfy. AI citations often overlap with strong organic visibility, but there’s no clear evidence that backlinks alone cause citations. Track citations and conversions separately from clicks.
 
We still build links to info pages if they serve as link-bait assets, but only to pass internal PageRank down to commercial pages. Overall, combining strong backlinks for rankings with solid AEO on-page optimization is what's keeping traffic steady for us.
 
I would focus more on pages that bring leads or sales but still build links to useful info pages that support them.
 
Mr.Dollar said:
Lately a lot of informational queries in my niche show an AI answer at the top, and the clicks on those pages seem softer than before.
Are you still building links to blog and guide style pages the same way, or moving the effort to money pages and pages that still get clicks? Also wondering if anyone sees a difference in which pages get cited in the AI box, links or no links.

Curious what you are actually doing, not just theory.
Click to expand...
i still link out to guides that naturally get linked or direct traffic towards a service page. however if there is click volume dropping off due to impressions from google search console, i would cease feeding that page and move the budget to pages that have real intent.
 
I’m not dropping links to informational pages completely I’m being more selective about which ones deserve the effort. If a guide attracts relevant traffic it still has value even if CTR is slipping.
 
Mr.Dollar said:
Lately a lot of informational queries in my niche show an AI answer at the top, and the clicks on those pages seem softer than before.
Are you still building links to blog and guide style pages the same way, or moving the effort to money pages and pages that still get clicks? Also wondering if anyone sees a difference in which pages get cited in the AI box, links or no links.

Curious what you are actually doing, not just theory.
Click to expand...
You must know that AI overview answers are those answers which AI got from different sites. And AI get answers from those sites which are high-quality, high authority and very good in Google's eyes. And how you get your site to become high authority? By providing great value and publish optimized content and alongside build backlinks on very good relevant sites so Google think you are also high authority.
 
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