How to Measure SEO Success When AI Is Changing Google Search

AI is transforming the way people interact with Google Search. With the rollout of AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE), traditional metrics like rankings and click-through rates are evolving. At Triangle Direct Media, we’re helping clients adapt to this shift—by not just preserving SEO performance but unlocking new traffic opportunities through AI content strategies. See a recent graph showing paid and organic CTR trends in the recent article on Search Engine Land highlighting-how how content might be getting more impressions than ever before as AI makes search results more relevant.

What Are AI Overviews and Why Do They Matter?

AI Overviews are Google’s AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. These summaries pull information from high-quality content across the web, offering users quick answers without needing to click on traditional blue links.

ai overview ctrThe shift is significant:

  • Users are getting answers faster.
  • The “click” economy is shrinking for some keywords.
  • Brands mentioned in AI Overviews can see higher engagement and visibility.

We’ve already helped multiple clients increase traffic by optimizing their content to get mentioned in these AI-generated summaries.

Are Clicks Really Down with AI Overviews?

Yes—and no.

According to the Ubersuggest data shared recently:

  • Click-through rates (CTR) are down when AI Overviews appear.
  • However, overall search volume on Google is increasing, with over 5 trillion searches annually reported.

That means the traffic potential is still there—if your content is featured in the AI Overview or other key areas like People Also Ask (PAA) and Featured Snippets.

New SEO Metrics for an AI-Driven World

To accurately measure SEO success today, we recommend adjusting your focus to include:

Visibility in AI Overviews

Getting your content cited or linked in AI Overviews should be a top priority. It’s one of the fastest ways to regain or grow organic traffic as traditional rankings fluctuate.

Share of Search

Are users searching for your brand more frequently? If so, that’s a good sign that your content is trusted and gaining traction—even if CTRs are down for certain keywords.

Engagement Metrics Over Rankings

Rankings are now just one part of the puzzle. Consider:

  • Bounce rate
  • Time on page
  • Scroll depth

These tell you how helpful your content is once users land on your site.

How TDM Helps Businesses Succeed in AI Search

Our team at Triangle Direct Media has been ahead of the curve with AI in search. From writing AI-optimized content to structuring data for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and People Also Ask (PAA) inclusion, we’ve helped clients maintain and grow their search presence through these evolving changes.

Here are a few resources from our blog you may find helpful:

What You Can Do Today to Prepare for AI in Search

1. Update Old Content for AI Relevance

Refresh high-performing pages to include concise, fact-rich, and well-structured content that AI models can easily summarize or cite.

2. Use Schema Markup

Help Google understand your content better through structured data. We use JSON-LD to improve visibility in AI-driven search results.

3. Optimize for Questions (PAA)

Include common questions and concise answers on your pages to increase the likelihood of being featured in People Also Ask and AI Overviews.

Need Help Getting Your Content into AI Overviews?

We’ve already helped businesses boost their visibility and traffic by getting featured in AI Overviews. If you’re seeing a drop in clicks—or you just want to stay ahead—Triangle Direct Media can help.

👉 Contact us to get started.

SEO isn’t dead. It’s just evolving. The key to success in 2025 and beyond is adapting to how AI changes search behaviors and results. Whether it’s optimizing for AI Overviews, Featured Snippets, or improving technical SEO, Triangle Direct Media has the tools and expertise to guide your strategy forward.