A recent study by BrightEdge shows that Google is becoming more selective about the search queries it displays AI Overviews for in its search results.
For certain finance-related queries, particularly those requiring real-time data such as stock prices or finance calculators, Google has reduced or removed these AI-generated answers.
In these cases, Google now displays traditional search results instead.
This is because searches that rely on real-time data have a higher risk of inaccuracies when summarised by AI.
Finance queries with a strong informational intent continue to trigger AI-generated responses, as these types of search query benefit from summarised explanations drawn from multiple sources.
For example, search queries such as “investment calculator” or “mortgage calculator” do not currently display AI Overviews in search results, while queries like “what is an investment calculator” do.
This change in how often AI Overviews appear in search results is particularly significant, as these AI-generated summaries often reduce the need for users to click through to a website.
When Google provides an AI-generated answer, this appears directly on the results page, providing users with the information they’re looking for, without needing to visit the source.
As a result, this can lead to fewer website visits, reduced engagement and fewer enquiries or conversions.
By reducing or removing AI Overviews for certain search queries, users will rely on more traditional search results. This increases the likelihood that search engine users will click through to a website in search of the information they need.
This shift reinforces the importance of investing in search engine optimisation (SEO), as Google continues to refine when AI Overviews appear in search results.
Maintaining strong visibility in organic search ensures that your website is best placed to capture traffic.
Need help improving the visibility of your website in search results? Get in touch with the team at Engage Web today.
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