If clicks have dropped 30–60 %, you are not alone. Tests on hundreds of thousands of keywords show that when Google shows its new AI Overview, the top organic result can lose up to 64 % of clicks.

Why it happens

Google now answers many “how-to” and “what-is” questions right on the results page. People read the short answer and never visit a site. Big publishers report double-digit losses. Small businesses feel it even more because every visit matters.

The upside

Google still needs trusted sources for those answers. It pulls content from pages that are clear, well-structured, and reliable. If you tighten your content and UX, you can become that source and convert a larger share of the clicks you still get.

A step-by-step plan you can start this week

1. Become the citation, not the casualty

   • Find pages you already have on page 1 that answer “what-is” or “how-to” questions.

   • Rewrite the first 2–3 sentences so they give a tight 40–60-word answer.

   • Add sub-headings, bullet lists, and simple schema (FAQ, HowTo, or Product).

2. Group questions by topic
   Put related questions on one strong page rather than on many thin posts. This shows depth and gives Google more chunks to quote.

3. Keep technical SEO tight
   High rank is still the biggest factor. Check Core Web Vitals, especially the new Interaction to Next Paint metric, so slow code does not hold you back.

4. Make every visit count
   If traffic falls 40 % but you double conversion, revenue still rises. Fix small UX issues like unclear button text, form errors, or slow checkout flow. My audits usually find 10–15 quick fixes that lift sales fast.

5. Build an owned audience
   Add a simple email sign-up or lead magnet. Even if a user gets the answer on Google, a single click can turn into a long-term relationship you control.

How AI speeds this up

• Content gap checks in minutes
  I compare your pages to answers Google already shows, spot missing sub-topics, and rewrite headings.

• Predictive heat-maps before launch
  AI models show where eyes will go, so we can move key elements without waiting for real traffic.

• Automatic INP reports
  Scripts flag long tasks that slow down interaction and give your dev team a clear to-do list.

Quick win in action

A regional coffee e-commerce site lost 48 % of clicks overnight. We rewrote its brew-guide intro, added an FAQ schema, and removed a heavy script. Three weeks later, Google’s AI Overview cited the page. Conversions per visit jumped from 2.8 % to 5.6 %. Traffic stayed lower, but revenue grew.

Ready for your own rebound?
Contact us today.

AI-driven search is here to stay. The sites that adapt now will own the clicks and the customers that remain. Let’s make sure you are one of them.