BLOG

The Problem: A Decline in Organic & Paid CTRs
From January 2024 to January 2025, search marketers witnessed a significant shift in user behavior. Both organic and paid click-through rates (CTR) declined, with Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) emerging as a key contributor. However, an in-depth analysis by Seer Interactive of 10,000 informational intent keywords reveals a more complex picture: paid CTRs dropped regardless of AIO presence, indicating a broader change in search behavior beyond AI-generated answers.
So what’s really happening? And how can marketers adapt?
Understanding the Data: The Declining Click Landscape
Seer Interactive’s study merged data from:
Google Ads (Paid CTR trends)
Google Search Console (Organic CTR trends)
ZipTie AIO Data (Tracking AIO presence)
10,000 keywords in the top 20 search results, sorted by estimated traffic impact.
The study categorized queries into two groups:
Queries where AIOs eventually appeared
Queries where AIOs never appeared
This segmentation allowed researchers to track how CTRs changed over time across both paid and organic search.
Key Findings: AI Overviews Aren’t the Only Problem
1️⃣ AIOs Exacerbate an Existing Issue
Data reveals that queries where AIOs eventually appeared already had lower CTRs before AIOs were introduced. This suggests that these queries were already generating fewer clicks, similar to how featured snippets impacted search behavior when they first launched.
While AIOs further reduce clicks, they appear more frequently on low-click, informational queries, meaning the impact isn’t entirely new, it’s amplifying a pre-existing trend.
2️⃣ Organic CTRs Increased for Queries Without AIOs
Interestingly, organic CTR rose year-over-year for queries where AIOs were absent. This suggests opportunities for organic traffic still exist. just not in SERPs where AI Overviews dominate.
Organic CTR with AIOs present: Dropped from 1.41% to 0.64% year-over-year.
Organic CTR without AIOs: Increased year-over-year.
This reinforces the idea that not all queries are equally impacted, marketers need to focus on the right ones to maximize visibility.
3️⃣ Paid CTR Declined Across the Board—With or Without AIOs
Surprisingly, paid CTR saw a significant year-over-year decline, regardless of whether an AIO appeared. This suggests a broader shift in user behavior, potentially influenced by:
Ad fatigue: Users may be less engaged with traditional search ads.
Changes in SERP layouts: More elements pushing paid ads lower.
Alternative search platforms: Private groups, AI search, and social platforms like TikTok becoming preferred sources for queries.
These insights indicate that search marketers need to rethink their paid ad strategies beyond Google Ads.
Why Some Queries Still See CTR Gains
There’s one silver lining: brands that appear in AIOs actually see a boost in both organic and paid CTRs.
Organic CTR jumps from 0.74% to 1.02%
Paid CTR increases from 7.89% to 11%
Why? Likely because these queries are branded, meaning users already have some level of trust. If a brand is featured in AIOs, the associated paid ads benefit too, creating a halo effect of credibility.
This signals an opportunity: getting featured in AIOs isn’t just about organic traffic, it boosts paid performance too.
How Search Marketers Should Respond
With Google’s AI Overviews changing the click landscape, search marketers need a multi-faceted approach to sustain visibility. Here’s what to focus on:
For SEO Professionals & Search Consultants
✅ Segment Queries:
Analyze historical CTR data to determine which queries are most affected by AIOs.
💡 Key Hypothesis: If a query previously triggered featured snippets, it was already low-click, making AIOs just an extension of that trend.
✅ Optimize for AIO Presence:
Securing a spot in AIOs can mitigate CTR losses and even boost paid ad performance.
💡 How? Leverage structured data, authoritative content, and entity-based SEO to increase chances of AIO inclusion.
✅ Prioritize Non-AIO Queries:
Since organic CTR is rising for queries without AIOs, targeting these may offer untapped growth opportunities.
💡 Actionable Steps:
Analyze which queries don’t trigger AIOs and double down on those.
Improve meta descriptions & page titles to boost CTR where AIOs aren’t dominating.
✅ Monitor Paid CTR Trends:
Broader declines in paid CTR suggest a need for new ad strategies.
💡 Test these approaches:
Experiment with creative ad formats (video, interactive elements).
Adjust bidding strategies based on new CTR realities.
Use UTM tracking to better attribute ad impact beyond SERP CTRs.
For CMOs & Marketing Leaders
✅ Invest in AI Tracking & Competitive Intelligence:
💡 Tools like ZipTie and AI tracking platforms can help measure AIO impact. Monitoring how AI Overviews are affecting brand vs. non-brand queries is crucial.
✅ Re-Evaluate Budgets Quarterly:
💡 Given how search behavior is shifting rapidly, quarterly adjustments in paid search, content, and AI-based strategies are essential.
✅ Reassess Performance KPIs:
💡 Traditional CTR metrics might not fully reflect success in the AI-driven search landscape. Focus on overall engagement & conversion metrics instead.
✅ Diversify Beyond Google Search:
💡 If paid CTRs are declining everywhere, testing non-traditional channels (TikTok search, AI search assistants, Reddit, and private groups) could drive higher engagement.
✅ Break Down Silos Between SEO, PR, and Advertising Teams:
💡 Identify AIOs you don’t rank for, and collaborate with PR & paid media teams to get featured in AI-generated answers.
Final Takeaways
Google’s AI Overviews are changing search behavior faster than most expected. While organic traffic is declining where AIOs dominate, there are still opportunities for growth:
🔹 Brands featured in AIOs win—both in organic and paid CTRs.
🔹 Non-AIO queries offer strong organic opportunities.
🔹 Paid ad strategies must evolve beyond traditional Google Ads.
🔹 AI tracking is essential for adapting budgets & strategy.
The future of search will require a mix of SEO, paid, and AI-driven insights—the brands that adapt first will win.
Want to stay ahead of the AI-driven search landscape?
🔹 Track your keywords.
🔹 Optimize for AI-generated search.
🔹 Adapt your paid ad approach.
The companies that embrace the shift, rather than resist it, will own the next era of search marketing.
Stay in The Loop
Subscribe to The Loop to stay updated with the latest in analytics, e-commerce, A/B testing, and growth strategies. Get cutting-edge tips, industry insights, and exclusive resources delivered straight to your inbox.