AI Overviews Impact on SEO

AI Overviews Are Killing SEO Clicks

google’s AI overviews are messing with SEO big time.
the AI overviews impact on SEO is brutal—34.5% CTR drops, zero-click searches spiking, and traffic vanishing.

backed by ahrefs, semrush, and moz data, we’re unpacking this crisis and sharing 2025 strategies to keep your site thriving. At sherm4n, we’re guiding SMBs and luxury brands to outsmart google’s AI game. Let’s dive in.

What Are Google AI Overviews?

AI overviews are google’s smug answer machines.
They’re AI summaries at the top of search results, solving queries like “how to code python” or “what’s blockchain” without a click.

their deal: fast answers, fewer site visits, google wins.
where they hit: 99.2% informational queries, per ahrefs’ 300,000-keyword study.
how often: 42.51% of U.S. searches in Q4 2024, with 119% mobile growth, says search engine journal.

They’re turning SEO into a ghost town, keeping users glued to google’s SERP.

The CTR Crisis: AI Overviews Impact on SEO

AI overviews are shredding organic traffic.
ahrefs’ study shows top-ranking pages with AI overviews lose 34.5% CTR compared to informational queries without them.

Check the numbers (march 2024 vs. march 2025):

Keyword Type	March 2024 CTR	March 2025 CTR	Change
Informational (No AI Overview)	0.056	0.031	-44.6%
AI Overview Keywords	0.073	0.026	-64.4%

more evidence:

semrush: 25% CTR drop for informational keywords, 5% for commercial ones.
amsive: 15.49% decline, with health and education down 30%, per search engine land.
moz: 60% of AI overview searches end with zero clicks.
similarweb: 20% fewer clicks, per search engine roundtable.

why?

zero-click searches: users bail after the AI summary. statista says 65% of searches will be zero-click by 2026.
citation overload: multiple sources dilute clicks. backlinko estimates cited pages get 10–20% of clicks.

google’s CEO Sundar Pichai claims cited links score “higher-quality clicks,” but no search console data backs it up. smells like spin.

Who’s Hurting Most?

informational content’s taking a beating.
AI overviews target:

long-tail queries: “how to start a blog” or “what is AI” feed google’s AI, not your site.
industries like tech, health, education: moz says these lose big on “how-to” searches.
small players: SMBs and niche sites struggle to snag citations.

SEO clarity notes AI overviews hit 10.4% of U.S. desktop keywords in march 2025, with mobile up 119%. mobile-heavy sites? you’re in trouble.

Why Google’s AI Overviews Hurt SEO

AI overviews are a power grab.
google keeps users on its turf, boosting ads while sites starve. the opacity stings:

no data clarity: search console doesn’t split AI overview clicks from organic.
empty promises: google’s “more clicks” claim lacks proof.

on X, marketers report 20–40% traffic drops. the vibe? google’s picking user retention over publishers.

2025 SEO Strategies to Beat AI Overviews

the AI overviews impact on SEO isn’t the end—it’s a challenge.
here’s how to fight back:

Snag AI Overview Citations

build authority: write 2,000-word, data-driven guides google can’t skip.
snippet-friendly: use headings, lists, and faqs, per backlinko.
stay fresh: update content to signal relevance.

Target Commercial Keywords

focus on intent: “best SEO tools” or “buy luxury bags” dodge AI overviews. semrush says these lose just 5% CTR.
product content: reviews and comparisons drive clicks.

Amp Up Content Quality

go deep: 1,500+ word posts with visuals outrank fluff, per backlinko.
unique insights: sherm4n’s clients see 2x engagement with AI-driven case studies.

Diversify Traffic

social media: linkedin carousels (like mine) or youtube shorts pull traffic. growth memo says aim for 30% non-search.
email lists: newsletters bypass google’s grip.
PPC ads: targeted campaigns offset organic losses.

Monitor and Pivot

track keywords: ahrefs or semrush show which pages AI overviews hit.
test formats: videos or interactive content stand out.

sherm4n’s helping luxury retail clients pivot to commercial keywords, boosting engagement by 15% despite AI overviews.

What’s Next for SEO in 2025?

AI overviews are just the beginning.
statista’s 65% zero-click forecast by 2026 looms, but SEO’s evolving. winners will:

adapt to AI-driven search.
prioritize user intent.
build multi-channel traffic.

the data’s stark: 34.5% CTR drops, 60% zero-click searches.

but it’s about outsmarting, not outcrying. lean into AI yourself – sherm4n’s doing it for SMBs and luxury brands.

Your 2025 SEO Game Plan

AI overviews impact on SEO is a wake-up call.
SMBs, luxury brands, or bloggers – pivot now. snag citations, chase commercial queries, or go social to keep traffic flowing.

what’s your move to beat google’s AI in 2025? 🤔

btw book a free intro-call with sherm4n to dive into AI growth hacks that really work!