Google Moves AI Overviews for Brand Searches Out of the Main Results, Replacing Knowledge Panels
TLDR
Google is moving AI Overviews for brand searches out of the main results, with some brand queries now showing AI-generated text where knowledge panels used to appear.
Optimixed Overview
Optimixed's original report on this story.
Per PPC Land, Google is moving AI Overviews for brand searches out of the main results, with Apple, Zillow and Coca-Cola queries now showing AI text where knowledge panels previously sat. Ahrefs observed AI Overviews on 63 of 100 brands it examined, which raises the question of who controls the brand description.
How we got here: earlier coverage
On September 30, SERoundtable observed Google showing AI Overviews more often for major brand name searches, with exceptions for Google's own brand and news publication queries. Ahrefs research on October 2 found AI Overviews on 83% of branded search queries, and by October 9 tracking data showed them appearing in most brand-name searches. On November 2, Google moved AI Overviews for many brand-related keywords from the top or middle of the main results to the right-hand column. Now, Google is moving AI Overviews for brand searches out of the main results, with some brand queries showing AI-generated text where knowledge panels used to appear.
Summary of earlier coverage
- Nov 2Google Shifts AI Overviews for Many Brand Queries to the Right-Hand Column
Google has moved AI Overviews for many brand-related keywords from the top or middle of the main results to the right-hand column.
- Oct 9AI Overviews Now Appear in Most Big-Brand Searches, Tracking Data Shows
AI Overviews have expanded to appear in most searches for major brand names, according to recent tracking data.
- Oct 2AI Overviews Now Appear in 83% of Branded Search Queries
Ahrefs' research shows AI Overviews now display on 83% of branded search queries, potentially diverting clicks away from brand websites to third-party sources.
- Sep 30Google AI Overviews Return for Major Brand Name Searches
SERoundtable observes that Google is showing AI Overviews more frequently for searches on major brand names, with exceptions for Google's own brand and news publication queries.