Do you own a business? Curious about marketing? Check out our new Marketing Corner Podcast!
Do you own a business? Curious about marketing? Check out our new Marketing Corner Podcast!
August 12, 2025
If your website traffic has taken a weird dip lately and you’re wondering, “Is it just me?” Nope, it’s not just you.
You’ve probably noticed the AI-generated answers Google Search has rolled out right at the top of search results. They’re calling them AI Overviews. We’re calling them “the reason no one’s clicking your beautifully written blog post anymore.”
And just when you thought it couldn’t get more mysterious, they’ve also introduced a new “AI Mode” tab—kind of like the old “Images” or “News” tabs, but for AI-generated content.
Let’s break down what’s happening and what you can do about it.
Instead of showing users a list of links, like they’ve done for the past–checks notes–25 years, it pulls snippets from websites across the web (including yours), and uses AI to package it all in a neat little box that answers the question on the spot.
Google Search now pulls snippets from various websites and uses AI to generate a summary answer to your query, right at the top of the results page.
Cool in theory.
Frustrating if you’re a small business counting on search traffic to bring in new leads.
Because now, searchers might get the answer they need without ever clicking on your site.
It’s a whole separate tab that Google is rolling out in search results. When toggled on, it shows a more AI-heavy experience. Kind of like having a conversation with a chatbot inside your search results.
Why does this matter?
Because Google Search is now creating multiple layers of AI-generated content that sit between you and your potential client. And the more people who opt into this tab (or start defaulting to it), the harder it may be to get organic visibility the way we used to.
Let’s get real:
Even if you’re still ranking well, people might not actually visit your website. The AI summary scoops up bits of your content and serves it to users directly in the search results—no visit required.
This means your beautiful blog post might be helping Google more than it’s helping you. 🫠
If Google’s free real estate is shrinking, the paid kind is becoming even more valuable.
Running ads on key services, promotions, or lead-gen funnels may become necessary to stay visible, especially for high-competition keywords.
Now more than ever, your content has to earn the click.
It needs to do something that an AI summary can’t—whether that’s offering a real perspective, walking someone through a specific process, or creating a connection that makes them want to work with you specifically.
Think:
No need to panic. But this is definitely a “take action” moment. Here’s where we’re focusing with our clients:
Reviewing traffic sources and seeing where drop-offs are happening
Adjusting content strategy to prioritize connection and conversions
Using paid ads to support organic Google Search efforts
Leveraging email to build audience relationships
And yes—we’re watching this whole thing closely. The landscape is shifting fast, and we’re here to help you stay ahead of it.
If your site traffic feels off or your content isn’t hitting like it used to, let’s talk.
We’re helping small businesses adapt to this new Google Search reality without losing momentum or their minds.
Reach out any time. We’re already nerding out about it, so you don’t have to.
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