Google AI is reducing site traffic
In recent years, artificial intelligence technologies have been rapidly developing and changing the fundamental principles of the internet ecosystem. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
In particular, the introduction of new AI-based features by major search engines like Google is having a significant impact on the future of millions of websites globally. Recently, Google added a new feature called "AI Overviews" to its search engine.
This feature provides brief answers generated by artificial intelligence instead of traditional blue links. While these answers can sometimes be accurate and useful, there are also instances of incorrect or harmful information.
For example, there have been cases where users were given harmful recommendations. According to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center in the USA, users are twice as likely to click on other site links when they see AI-generated answers.
At the same time, 26 percent of users completely exited the browser from the search results. This situation poses a serious problem for websites, especially news, information, and blog format platforms, as they primarily generate revenue through advertising and require a large number of visitors.
Lily Ray, head of the search strategy department at Amsive in the USA, emphasizes that Google search has been a lifeline for many sites. According to her, "AI Overviews" are reducing visits by 20 to 40 percent.
This leaves many small and medium content creators facing a difficult choice: to continue producing quality material or to cease operations entirely. Google, however, interprets this situation differently.
The company states that it continues to direct users to billions of links every day and that no significant decrease in traffic has been observed. They believe that the Pew study is based on a limited user base and a non-representative set of questions.
At the same time, independent analysts and SEO specialists highlight the complexity of the situation, showing that real website statistics indicate traffic loss due to AI responses. The likelihood of AI providing incorrect answers poses risks for users.
According to Lily Ray, AI is removing the user's ability to think independently. In traditional searches, users would compare various sources and make their own decisions, but AI concludes this process in a few lines.
Google believes that users themselves are showing interest in AI services and emphasizes that the ability to ask questions and discover new sites is expanding through these new opportunities. However, the question of who wins and who loses in this process remains relevant.
If users reduce their link-clicking, the greatest harm will fall on the authors and editorial teams working to create information. The most concerning aspect is that the user's freedom of choice, the ability to evaluate sources, and the capacity to differentiate between various perspectives may become limited.
Therefore, alongside the development of artificial intelligence technologies, it is essential to pay special attention to maintaining information quality and protecting users' right to make informed choices.
