Google AI Overviews Now Appear in 43% of Searches, Data Shows

Google's AI Overviews now appear in 43% of search results, up from just 15% a year ago, according to a new report from market intelligence firm Similarweb, as reported by TechCrunch on July 27. The rapid increase underscores how AI-generated answers are quickly becoming the default way people discover information online.

Similarweb noted that what began as an AI layer on top of search has become an integral part of the search journey itself. Google is increasingly dropping users directly into AI Overviews, where they can continue their research via the more conversational AI Mode.

During the same period, AI Mode visits rose from 126 million in June 2025 to 279 million by May 2026, more than doubling in under a year. The average length of Google searches has also increased, suggesting users are spending more time on Google's platform rather than using it solely as a gateway to other websites.

This transformation means Google is shifting from providing a simple list of blue links to becoming a destination in its own right, sourcing answers from the websites it indexes. The change has not been welcomed by publishers, who have been disproportionately affected by AI citations that don't lead to clicks.

Similarweb previously noted how devastating the trend has been for news publishers. Cloudflare and other infrastructure companies have also observed a growing number of websites blocking AI crawlers unless AI companies pay for access through licensing agreements.

The number of AI responses that include a citation has risen more than fivefold over the past year. However, only 6.8% of US ChatGPT desktop queries included citations as of May 2026, though travel, retail, and sports queries generate cited responses more frequently.

There is some hope for publishers: after a May 7 search update, US desktop referrals from ChatGPT more than doubled, from 25% in March 2026 to nearly 60% by late May. This suggests users still click through when prominent blue links are available within AI-driven results.

As Google transforms from a gateway to the broader web into a destination of its own, the impact of AI search on traffic patterns and publisher business models will remain a key industry concern.