With the rise of AI-powered search platforms and features like Google’s AI Overview, many in the digital space are questioning the future of SEO.
Yes, click-through rates are declining. Why? Because when users search for information, AI now often provides a summarized answer right at the top—no clicks needed. This means fewer visits to websites that actually created the content.
But here’s the interesting part:
The AI-generated responses are still heavily dependent on top-ranking pages in Google. So if your content isn’t ranking well organically, chances are it won’t be featured in the AI overview either.
Let’s Break It Down with an Example
If someone searches for:
“How to create a marketing strategy for a SaaS startup”
➡️ Google’s AI Overview might instantly show a summarized 5-step plan, pulling data from high-quality blog posts by HubSpot, Neil Patel, or SaaStr.
The user gets their answer instantly—no click required.
But guess what?
Those answers are still being pulled from SEO-optimized content that ranks high.
So, What Needs to Change?
To navigate this shift, we need new tools and insights, such as:
1. AI Keyword Search Volume Data
– Just like we measure monthly search volume on Google, we need similar metrics for AI platforms like Perplexity, Bing Chat, and Google SGE (Search Generative Experience).
– Example: How many times is a keyword like “best CRM for small businesses” being asked in AI platforms?
2. Visibility Tracking in AI Overviews
– If your content is being featured in an AI response, that should be reported in Google Search Console or a similar analytics platform.
– Currently, we get impressions and clicks—but no visibility into how AI uses our content.
What Kind of Keywords Are Impacted?
Informational queries (e.g., “How to boost website traffic,” “Benefits of mindfulness”) are most likely to be featured in AI overviews.
Transactional or commercial keywords (e.g., “Buy iPhone 15 Pro,” “Local SEO agency near me”) still lead users to websites, landing pages, and service providers.
Final Thoughts
People still use Google and other search engines when they’re ready to buy, sign up, or hire. AI may reduce clicks on basic informational queries, but SEO is far from dead.
Instead, it’s evolving—and as digital marketers, content creators, and business owners, we need to evolve with it.
✅ Focus on high-quality content
✅ Stay visible across search and AI platforms
✅ Adapt your strategy, don’t abandon it