Google is testing paid ads inside its AI-generated search summaries, called AI Overviews. Testing began in June 2025 and continues in selected markets. Early results show this is reducing clicks to traditional organic search results.
How AI Overviews Will Display Paid Ads
AI Overviews appear at the top of Google’s search results. They summarise information from multiple websites directly on the results page. Paid ads appear inside these summaries, either above or alongside organic links.
This differs from traditional search ads, which are separate from organic listings. In AI Overviews, ads are integrated into the summary itself, changing how users see search results.
What the Data Shows
Industry studies and expert analysis indicate a shift in user behaviour:
- Organic clicks have fallen by up to 61%.
- Paid search click-through rates dropped by up to 68%.
- Searches without AI summaries still show declines of 10–20% year on year.
- More than 55% of searches now end without a click.
- Brands featured in AI summaries gain higher relative visibility and stronger recall.
These figures are early trends and vary by market.
How You Can Optimise for AI‑Driven Search
AI-generated summaries with paid ads are changing how users discover content. To adapt, you can:
- Audit your top pages to see which appear in AI summaries.
- Optimise headings and meta descriptions for clear AI summarisation.
- Add featured snippets and FAQ sections to increase inclusion.
- Track competitors’ placements and adjust your content.
- Review analytics to understand changes in traffic and engagement.
Legend DigiTech helps businesses adapt strategies and maintain visibility in AI-driven search. Talk to an expert today!
