I have played around with AI mode some and for the things I tested it with, the results were mediocre. what is concerning that it aims to change the search experience by providing direct answers and summaries, often eliminating the need for users to click through to external websites. Google search has never been fair to niche publishers (and small businesses) that struggle for visibility because the rules changes faster than they can keep up.
AI mode benefits major brands, which dominate top search positions, but compounds the challenges for smaller sites whose organic visibility and traffic are further diminished. The rise of AI Overviews and zero-click results means users increasingly get what they need without leaving Google, raising concerns about the future of the open web and the sustainability of independent publishers. I use Google search rarely these days and if AI mode becomes the primary way to use it. I will likely not use it all. I agree with the author that the vibe has been off for a long time:
When many of us look at Google's search results today, the vibe feels off. Maybe it's the AI, maybe it's Google's algorithm, or maybe the Internet just isn't what it once was. Whatever the cause, the shift toward zero-click search that began more than a decade ago was made clear by the March 2024 core update, and it has only accelerated with the launch of AI Mode. Even businesses that have escaped major traffic drops from AI Overviews could soon find that Google's AI-only search can get much more overbearing.
The AI slop will continue until morale improves.
No comments:
Post a Comment