For months now, Google’s AI Overviews have dominated Position 1 in desktop search results, frustrating content creators, marketers and website owners alike.

The fear? Losing out on traffic and clicks as AI-generated summaries took over prime real estate on search engine results pages (SERPs).

But now there is a noticable shift.

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According to a new study by seoClarity, a leading enterprise SEO platform, AI Overviews are no longer the guaranteed #1 in U.S. desktop search results. In fact, in 12.4% of cases, they have slipped to Position 2 or even lower. 

Well, that’s a sharp climb from just a month ago, when less than 2% of AI Overviews were ranked below the top position. 

But the question is what exactly is happening and what will be the overall impacts? 

What Is Happening With Google’s AI Overviews?

According to the research, AI Overviews now rank below the top spot in 12.4% of U.S. desktop searches.

This represents a significant evolution in how Google is experimenting with and reacting to user interactions with its generative AI elements.

Let me break it down by the numbers: 

AI Overviews appear in 19% of all U.S. desktop keyword searches

Of those:

• 87.6% are in Position 1
• 7.6% are in Position 2
• 2.8% land in Position 3
• 2% appear in Position 4 or lower

This shift may seem subtle but in the world of SERPs where even a one-position drop can cause double-digit changes in click-through rate, it is huge.

Why Is Google Pushing AI Overviews Below Position 1?

Well, that is one of the most important questions. And the answer is simple – user behavior might be the key driver. 

Mark Traphagen, VP of Product Marketing and Training at seoClarity, offered critical insight:

“Google watches what people click on when an AI Overview is present. If most people are scrolling past the AI Overview to click on an organic web result for a particular keyword, then Google may demote the AI Overview for that keyword.” 

Now this study tells us two things:

1. User behavior still shapes the SERP layout
2. High-quality organic content can influence ranking over AI

That is a big win for publishers and SEOs who have feared being permanently pushed below AI-generated content.

Where Are AI Overviews Most Likely to Rank Lower?

Not all search intents are created equal. seoClarity’s data uncovered a pattern based on query intent:

Breakdown of Search Intent Triggering AI Overviews:

• 84.16% — Informational (e.g., “how does a solar eclipse occur”)
• 12.38% — Transactional (e.g., “buy budget laptop under $500”)
• 3.31% — Navigational (e.g., “Facebook login”)
• 0.15% — Local (e.g., “dentist near me”)

But here is one of the most important things to understand: For AI Overviews that ranked in Position 4 or lower, transactional queries jumped to 22.7%. 

That is nearly double the typical rate. This means when users are looking to purchase, they are more likely to bypass the AI Overview, triggering Google to push AI further down.

For example, take a query like [games on a Nintendo Switch]. 

Rather than an AI Overview taking Position 1, Google often serves: Nintendo’s own category pages, a popular product page and list of high-intent, product-specific pages. 

This tells us something powerful: When it comes to purchases or product decisions, Google often trusts brands and carousels more than its own AI. 

How Can You Outrank AI Overviews in Google Search?

If you are wondering whether it is still possible to climb above AI in the rankings then the answer is yes.

And it starts with Click-Through Rate (CTR).

Here is what he adds:

“The best opportunity to outrank an AI Overview is to be a top-ranked page for the keyword, well-optimized for good CTR. If people start preferring your result to the AI Overview, Google may promote your result above it.” 

Here are proven strategies to optimize your pages to do just that:

1. Write Engaging Meta Titles and Descriptions

Make your headline punchy. Include numbers, questions or emotional triggers to get clicks. Your meta description should be concise, answer the query and offer a reason to visit your page. 

2. Provide Structured, Value-First Content

Always use formatting like bullet points, tables and FAQs. Do not bury answers in fluff. Solve the user’s query clearly and quickly.

3. Use Schema Markup

Apply structured data like FAQ, How-To, Review and Product schema to increase visibility in rich results, which can compete with or supplement AI Overviews.

4. Understand Search Intent

If a query is transactional then lean into it with commercial content like reviews, comparison pages, product roundups and pricing guides. AI tends to underperform here.

AI vs. Human Content: Who Holds the Real Authority in Google Search? 

This shift in rankings also brings up an important question:

Can AI Overviews really replace human content?

Google’s recent missteps including inaccurate AI answers (remember the “cheese on pizza” glue tip?) have shown that while AI is powerful, it still lacks nuance, context and sometimes, basic accuracy. 

When people search especially for complex or transactional queries, they often want real answers, real human reviews and real experience.

And we all know that even the best AI can’t replicate that. Yet. 

SEO Still Has a Seat at the Table

Despite all the noise about AI killing SEO, this new data tells a different story.

AI Overviews may still be prominent, but Google listens to users and users still value high-quality, clickable, useful content.

As Mark Traphagen summed it up perfectly:  “SEO strategy and execution still matter.”

So, if you have been feeling sidelined by AI changes, then with the right SEO  strategies your content can climb back up. And if 12.4% of AI Overviews are already being outranked? That percentage might just keep growing.