Pew Study Finds AI Summaries Reduce Google Search Link Clicks

What Happened

Pew Research Center released a study showing that Google users are less likely to click on links in search results when an AI-generated summary box appears. The research surveyed user behavior after Google introduced AI-generated overviews, which summarize search topics at the top of the page. Compared to traditional search layouts, these AI summaries led to a notable decrease in link clicks. The findings suggest user engagement with external sources is dropping as AI-generated content becomes more visible, potentially influencing how publishers and websites receive traffic from Google.

Why It Matters

This trend highlights a significant change in search habits as AI shapes the way information is consumed online. Reduced clicks may impact news outlets, businesses, and digital publishers relying on Google traffic, raising questions about the future of online discovery and content monetization. Read more in our AI News Hub