Surprising no one, new research says AI Overviews cause massive drop in search clicks

According to a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, the increasing use of AI-generated "overviews" in search results has led to a significant drop in the number of clicks on web pages. The study found that when search engines display AI-generated summaries, users are less likely to click through to the original source material. The research highlights the growing impact of AI on the online ecosystem, as search engines and content platforms increasingly rely on AI to provide quick answers and summaries. While this may benefit users in some cases, the analysis suggests that it can also lead to a decline in web traffic, which could have implications for content creators and publishers. The Pew Research Center's findings underscore the need for a balanced approach to the integration of AI in search and content delivery, ensuring that users still have the opportunity to engage with original sources and that content creators are not unduly impacted by these technological advancements.