Usman Salis
⬤ Semrush has released new data tracking Google's AI Overviews across the search landscape, analyzing over 10 million keywords to map how AI-generated answers are reshaping search results. The research shows AI Overviews have moved past the experimental phase and settled into the everyday search experience.
⬤ The data shows AI Overview visibility climbed steadily from January through mid-2025, hitting a peak near 25% of U.S. desktop queries in July before pulling back. By November 2025, these AI-generated summaries were showing up in roughly 16% of searches—still more than double where they started the year and proving they're here to stay.
⬤ AI Overviews are now pushing into commercial and navigational searches, not just informational queries where they first appeared. Traditional organic rankings and paid ads haven't disappeared though—the research confirms that clicks are still happening and rankings still drive traffic, just not at the levels seen before AI summaries entered the picture.
⬤ The findings point to a fundamental shift in how search visibility works. Ranking position alone no longer tells the full story—appearing inside AI-generated answers is becoming just as critical for brand visibility. SEO isn't dying, it's evolving. The game now includes optimizing for AI-driven results alongside classic SERP tactics, as AI Overviews cement themselves as a core element of how people find information online.
Usman Salis
