Google AI Overviews become a core part of Search results in 2026

FORMAT B - Trend

In short: Google is increasingly answering searches with AI Overviews at the top of the page, which means fewer people click through to other websites.

What's going on

AI Overviews are AI-written summaries that combine information from multiple websites, with links to sources. Google introduced them in 2024 and expanded them a lot by early 2026.

By 2026, AI Overviews show up in about 30 to 45 percent of informational searches, including topics like health, finance, shopping, and business software. They often appear above the familiar list of links, and they can replace the older “featured snippet” box.

This shift is changing how people use Google. Several studies cited in industry reports found big drops in click-through rates, up to 61 percent fewer clicks on searches where an AI Overview appears, and up to 58 percent fewer clicks even for the top-ranked result. In other words, more searches become “zero-click,” where people get what they need without leaving Google.

Google also appears to be experimenting with AI-generated news headlines in the usual list of results. That can change what people see and what they choose to click, even when links are still present.

What to watch

Publishers, stores, and service businesses may need to focus less on getting a top link and more on being included as a trusted source inside these summaries. Google says it favors authoritative sources, looking for signals like expertise and trust (similar to checking credentials and reputation before taking advice).

Source: The Verge AI