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Google’s AI Overviews have caused significant controversy in the tech community, with many publishers and SEO experts raising concerns about declining website traffic and revenue. The search engine giant, however, maintains that it is not responsible for these drops. In a recent statement, Google’s Head of Search, Liz Reid, asserted that overall search traffic has remained stable year-over-year despite the introduction of AI Overviews.
Google says AI Overviews are not hurting web traffic – but is that the full story?
Reid’s statement, published in a blog post, highlighted several points. According to her, total organic click volume from Google Search to websites has been relatively stable year-over-year. Moreover, average click quality has increased, and Google is sending slightly more high-quality clicks to websites than it did the previous year. Reid emphasized that this data contradicts third-party reports suggesting dramatic traffic declines, often based on flawed methodologies or isolated examples.
Google maintains that the panic over declining traffic is overblown. The company asserts that its internal data shows consistent search volumes and an increase in impressions. However, it acknowledges that user behavior on the web has changed, with some types of content benefiting while others are less favored. By suggesting that traffic is being redirected to different types of content, Google shifts attention away from blaming AI Overviews and encourages companies to focus on providing valuable information and genuine insights.
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Despite this, reports by news outlets highlight a significant drop in traffic for many pages due to AI Overviews, posing an existential threat to content creators and journalism. While Google was confident in its claim, it did not present detailed metrics to support it. As AI continues to reshape how we access information, the debate is far from over. If the reality for content creators remains dire, Google’s stance will likely have little impact, and the conversations surrounding it will only intensify.
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According to Liz Reid's statement, what has remained relatively stable year-over-year in terms of organic click volume from Google Search?
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