By Kayla DeKraker
Google’s AI‑generated search, called AI Overview, reduces users’ likelihood of clicking on traditional search results, driving traffic away from actual websites.
The Pew Research study observed the online activities of 900 U.S. internet users. Pew explained, “About six-in-ten respondents (58%) conducted at least one Google search in March 2025 that produced an AI-generated summary. Additional analysis found that Google users were less likely to click on result links when visiting search pages with an AI summary compared with those without one.”
The center noted, “For searches that resulted in an AI-generated summary, users very rarely clicked on the sources cited.”
Google released the feature a year ago, hoping it would make finding information easier for users.
“What we see with generative AI is that Google can do more of the searching for you,” said Liz Reid, Google’s head of search. “It can take a bunch of the hard work out of searching, so you can focus on the parts you want to do to get things done, or on the parts of exploring that you find exciting.”
She shared an example, saying, “We can do things like ‘Find the best yoga or pilates studio in Boston rated over four stars within a half-hour walk of Beacon Hill.’ And so you can get information that’s combined, across the Knowledge Graph and across the web, and pull it together.”
AI’s influence has grown rapidly. The Pew study revealed that 93% of internet uses came across at least one page mentioning AI during a search session. But only 13% of respondents actually sought out AI tools to assist them.
AI Overview pulls 2 billion monthly users, up from 1.5 billion in its last quarterly update.
“We see AI powering an expansion in how people are searching for and accessing information,” said Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai, noting that the features “cause users to search more as they learn that Search can meet more of their needs.”
However, people still need to use caution when it comes to AI Overview. Some users observed the feature sharing harmful advice. It even told one person to put glue on their pizza.
Related: How AI and ChatGPT are Changing Education
“We saw AI Overviews that featured sarcastic or troll-y content from discussion forum. Forums are often a great source of authentic, first-hand information, but in some cases can lead to less-than-helpful advice,” Reid explained.
While AI can be helpful, we need to use it with discernment.
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