Google rejects claims of AI in Search hurting web traffic
Google has rejected claims that its AI-powered search features are hurting web traffic, stating that overall organic click volume from Google Search to websites has been relatively stable year-over-year. The company's vice president and head of Google Search, Liz Reid, said that average click quality has increased and Google is sending slightly more quality clicks to websites than a year ago. However, some online publishers and content creators have raised concerns that AI-generated summaries of search results are reducing web traffic, with studies and surveys corroborating their fears.
- ▪Google's AI-powered search features have raised concerns among online publishers and content creators about reduced web traffic.
- ▪A survey by Pew Research Center found that users who encountered an AI Overview were less likely to click on website links.
- ▪Google has rolled out AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search, which have been well-received by users, according to the company.
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“Overall, total organic click volume from Google Search to websites has been relatively stable year-over-year. Additionally, average click quality has increased and we’re actually sending slightly more quality clicks to websites than a year ago,” Liz Reid, vice president and head of Google Search, said in a blog post published on Wednesday, August 6. Google Search has long been seen as the backbone of the internet, but AI chatbots and generative AI-powered search engines are now emerging as compelling alternatives for users to look up information online.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Indian Express.
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