Did We Pass Peak AIO?

12/05/25
Source: moz (en-US). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Has Google reached “Peak AI Overview”?

Google’s AI Overviews are showing signs of decline in top SERP positions, especially for navigational queries. About 15% of AI Overviews now appear below position one in search results, reflecting Google’s increased confidence in user intent. The overall prevalence of AI Overviews, particularly for informational queries, is slightly decreasing after a mid-2025 peak. Emerging hybrid features like Web Guides suggest Google is experimenting with blending AI summaries and traditional organic results.

Optimixed’s Overview: Understanding the Changing Landscape of AI Overviews in Google Search

Analyzing the Shift in AI Overview Placement and Frequency

In late 2025, data reveals a notable shift in how Google presents AI Overviews in its search engine results pages (SERPs). While AI Overviews once dominated the top spot for many informational queries, recent trends show that approximately 15% of these AI-generated summaries now appear at position two or lower on desktop and smartphone searches in the U.S. and UK.

Impact of Search Intent on AI Overview Rankings

  • Navigational queries (often branded searches like “Starbucks menu” or “Amtrak routes”) frequently see AI Overviews placed below specific organic results. In these cases, Google prioritizes direct links to the relevant website over the AI summary, accounting for about 26% of AI Overviews appearing below position one.
  • For informational queries, which historically saw the highest AI Overview presence, the share of AI Overviews has declined from 43% in mid-2025 to around 37% in October, indicating a cooling off after a peak period.
  • Other search intents have remained stable or shown slight increases in AI Overview presence.

The Evolution of AI Features in Google’s SERPs

Alongside positional changes, Google is experimenting with new hybrid search features. Web Guides, currently visible in Search Labs, blend elements of traditional organic results with AI-generated content and often appear in positions two to four. These features provide a more clickable experience than standard AI Overviews, potentially signaling Google’s approach to balancing AI summaries with user engagement.

Future Outlook

While AI Mode represents a bold step toward AI-driven search interfaces, it is unlikely to fully replace traditional web search due to differing user needs. Instead, Google may move toward a hybrid model combining AI insights with organic results to enhance search relevance and user satisfaction.