If you’re in SEO, content marketing, or anything digital, you’ve probably felt it: search is changing fast. And Google’s March 2025 Core Update didn’t just tweak the algorithm, it introduced a whole new player that’s reshaping how we show up in search results: AI Overviews.
These AI-generated summaries now appear right at the top of many search results, giving users quick answers without needing to click any links. Handy for users? Sure. But for anyone relying on organic traffic? It’s a whole different story… According to Ahrefs, AI Overviews have more than doubled in just a few short weeks. So let’s unpack what’s going on, and more importantly, look at how you can adapt to these rather significant changes.
AI Overviews by the Numbers: What Ahrefs Found
The stats are eye-opening:
- AI Overviews have experienced more than 116% growth in less than two months. From 7.6% in March to 16.48% in May. As a result, they now show up in nearly 1 in 6 search queries.
- The day after the core update began rolling out was a tipping point, as AI Overviews spiked by 6.26% in just 24 hours.
- Clicks are diminishing, big time. Ahrefs data shows that AI Overviews diminished click-through rates by an average of 34.5%. An indication that people are getting what they need from the overview.
- Reddit is now SEO royalty (seriously). Surprisingly, Reddit is cited in 5.5% of all AI Overviews, more than any other domain. Google is prioritising user-generated content and real-world discussions over other types of content.
What Exactly Are AI Overviews?
Think of them as your shortcut to Google’s “answer” to your question, pulled from across the web and packaged into a neat, AI-crafted summary at the very top of the results page.
From a user perspective, it’s fast and efficient. But from a marketer’s / business perspective, it’s kind of like watching your hard-earned Page 1 ranking get leapfrogged by a feature that doesn’t even need to be clicked.
4 Big Ways AI Overviews Are Rewriting the Rules
1. Top Rankings Aren’t What They Used to Be
Even if you’re ranking number one organically, an AI Overview above you might mean fewer eyeballs and fewer clicks. In other words, real estate on the SERP just got a lot more competitive.
2. Structured Content Wins
AI Overviews love content that’s easy to scan. For example, FAQs, how-to lists, and direct answers. If your blog post is packed with long paragraphs, it’s likely to get skipped over.
3. Authenticity Matters More Than Authority
Reddit’s rise in AI Overviews shows a shift in Google’s focus from polished, corporate content to raw, community-driven insight. Evidence that it’s less about being “the expert” and more about being genuinely helpful.
4. This Isn’t a Test, it’s the New Normal
With AI Overviews doubling in just a few weeks, it’s obvious that this is no longer a side experiment; it’s the new normal. Google is clearly focusing on AI, and if we want to keep up, we need to adjust fast.
So… What Can You Actually Do About It?
Here are some practical, strategic moves to stay relevant in the age of AI search:
1. Write for AI Overviews (and People)
- Use a clear structure: bullet points, subheadings, and FAQs.
- Answer common questions upfront and directly.
- Add schema markup to make it easier for Google to read your content.
2. Track Where You Show Up in AI Overviews
Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, Keyword.com, as well as Google Search Console and searching in Incognito mode, can help you see when and where your content gets pulled into AI Overviews. This insight can guide your content strategy going forward.
3. Don’t Underestimate Reddit and Forums
Reddit is showing up in summaries for a reason, and that is because Google sees value in what real people are saying. So join the conversation to offer value and build authority. Don’t just leave links; instead, have real conversations and build credibility with those on the platform.
4. Audit and Refresh Older Content
That blog post from 2022? It might still rank, but if it’s not AI Overview friendly, it might as well be invisible. Improve upon it by adding an FAQs section, tightening your structure, and making it easy for AI to understand.
5. Diversify Where Your Traffic Comes From
If Google’s not sending you as much traffic, you’ll need to build other bridges, such as:
- Email newsletters
- YouTube
- Podcasts
- Social media
It’s always a good idea to own your audience and not just rent them from Google in order to remain visible.
What’s Next?
The rise of AI Overviews isn’t the end of SEO, it’s just a new era. The tactics that worked last year may not work anymore. But the core principles still hold, and that is to create content that’s clear, useful, and speaks to real human needs.
If you can do that, while adapting your format and expanding your reach, you’ll stay, not just relevant, but competitive.
Bottom line?
- Structure your content.
- Be helpful.
- Get seen, by both humans and algorithms.
