Google is pushing back against claims that AI Overviews are hurting the web. The company says its new AI-powered Search features are actually leading to more searches and higher-quality clicks for publishers. Early usage data, it claims, shows users digging deeper instead of stopping at the first answer.
Google says AI boosts Search engagement
According to Google, users who see AI Overviews are performing more follow-up searches compared to those using the classic layout. The company argues that the summaries aren’t replacing clicks they’re acting as springboards to more exploration. That message runs counter to critics who warn that AI answers siphon traffic away from publishers.
Introducing SearchGPT: OpenAI's AI-powered search engine. Get instant access to information with summarized search results and source links.
Publishers are reportedly getting better clicks
Google claims that outbound clicks from AI-enhanced searches are more “qualified” meaning people are more likely to stick around once they land on a site. The theory is that the AI context primes users with background info, so they click with more intent. The company hasn’t released raw numbers, only the general trend.
AI in Search is still expanding slowly
Right now, AI Overviews are live for most English searches in the U.S., with more languages and regions planned. Google says the rollout will remain cautious to avoid flooding the system with low-quality responses or hallucinations. The company is also experimenting with placing AI answers lower on the page for certain query types.
Critics aren’t convinced by Google’s framing
Some publishers argue that even if clicks are more “qualified,” the overall volume could still drop once AI summaries become the default. Others worry that Google’s metrics focus on engagement inside Search, not the broader health of the open web. Without transparent traffic data, the industry is left to guess at the real impact.
- Google says AI Overviews lead to more searches
- Claims clicks from AI results are higher quality
- Currently live in most U.S. English searches
- Rollout to other regions coming gradually
- Placement of AI answers varies by query type
Google’s AI gamble in Search isn’t over
AI Overviews are still in their early days, and both the benefits and downsides will get louder as adoption grows. For now, Google’s confident spin is clear: it believes AI is making Search more useful, not less. Whether the rest of the internet agrees is another question.
The clicks are changing Google’s betting they’re worth more.
