Google’s AI Overviews Shrink Clicks, Now What?

Google’s latest algorithm and AI search updates are accelerating a structural shift in how users engage with search results, according to SEO leader Lily Ray in a recent AirOps webinar. AI Overviews and the new AI Mode keep more search activity inside Google’s interface, reducing external traffic—particularly for upper-funnel informational content that AI can answer instantly.

Google is redefining what “quality” looks like, rewarding firsthand experience and original insights while demoting scalable, SEO-first content now classified as spam.

The update also elevates YouTube as a credibility engine, with video and transcripts increasingly influencing both organic rankings and LLM-generated answers. As AI expands total search volume and prompts deeper, longer queries, success hinges on broader visibility across platforms, not just ranking on a webpage.

Ray expects new algorithm updates in 2026 to target content built primarily for AI agents, reinforcing Google’s shift toward human-authored expertise. For brands, the takeaway is clear: meaningful updates, multimedia storytelling and strong entity clarity will determine whether they surface in AI-driven discovery.

Full story: AIROPS