A new analysis by Ahrefs has revealed that Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) now appear on one in five search queries, signaling a major shift in how users encounter AI-generated summaries in Google results. The study, which examined 146 million search results across 86 keyword types, highlights which kinds of searches are most likely to trigger AI-generated responses.
Informational Queries Dominate AI Overviews
According to the data, AI Overviews appear in 20.5% of all searches, with the likelihood increasing sharply for question-based and long-tail queries. Queries containing seven or more words trigger AI Overviews 46.4% of the time, while single-word searches only activate them 9.5% of the time. Similarly, question-format searches such as “how,” “why,” or “what” are far more likely to show AI-generated results — with 57.9% of such queries featuring an AI Overview, compared to just 15.5% for non-question phrases.
Industry Categories with High and Low AI Exposure
The Ahrefs report shows clear distinctions across industries. Science (43.6%), health (43.0%), and pets & animals (36.8%) queries top the list for AIO appearances. Similarly, People & Society topics see AI Overviews in 35.3% of cases. In contrast, sectors focused on commerce and real-time updates are less impacted. Shopping-related queries show AI Overviews just 3.2% of the time — the lowest across all categories. Real estate (5.8%), sports (14.8%), and news (15.1%) also record minimal AIO visibility. Interestingly, medical YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) searches have one of the highest exposure rates at 44.1%, despite Google’s own caution about using AI for sensitive health content. Financial YMYL queries appear 22.9% of the time, and safety-related ones 31.0%.
AI Overviews Rarely Show for News and Local Queries
The research indicates that time-sensitive and local searches are largely excluded from AI Overviews. Only 6.3% of highly news-related keywords and 7.9% of local queries triggered an AIO. In contrast, non-news and non-local queries show much higher inclusion rates of 20.7% and 22.8%, respectively. Ahrefs notes that Google may be limiting AIOs in fast-changing or location-specific content, where freshness and factual precision are critical.
Impact on Publishers and SEO Strategy
For publishers and SEO professionals, the findings highlight which types of content are most affected. Informational and educational websites are at the highest risk of AI-driven traffic loss, while ecommerce and news outlets are relatively less affected. The report adds that there is no link between CPC (cost-per-click) and AI Overview frequency — meaning keyword price doesn’t influence whether Google shows an AI-generated summary.
What It Means Going Forward?
As AI continues to reshape Google’s search landscape, Ahrefs suggests that content creators should analyze their keyword portfolios to measure AIO exposure risk. Query intent, format, and length remain the strongest predictors of whether a result might feature an AI Overview. Publishers relying heavily on informational or how-to content may need to adapt their SEO strategies to sustain visibility as Google expands AI integration across search results. Follow KollegeApply for the latest updates on College Admissions, Courses, Exam Dates, Results, Scholarships, Career Guidance, Education News, and Policy Changes — everything needed to stay ahead in the education journey
