Overview of Common Stains
Full overview of the most common stains, including how to identify them and treat them
The rise of artificial intelligence in search engines is reshaping the digital media landscape, with tech publications bearing the brunt of the change. A recent study by SEO company Growtika reveals that Google’s AI Overview feature has drastically reduced search traffic for major tech media outlets, with drops exceeding 85% for some.
Dramatic Decline in Search Traffic
Between early 2024 and early 2026, the monthly search traffic for ten prominent tech media sites fell from approximately 112 million visits to fewer than 50 million, according to an analysis of Ahrefs data. The impact has varied across publications, with some experiencing catastrophic losses. For instance, HowToGeek, The Verge, and ZDNet saw over 85% reductions in their Google search traffic, while Digital Trends faced a staggering decline of up to 97%. By contrast, Mashable and Wired experienced smaller, but still significant, drops of around 30% and 62%, respectively.
sbb-itb-2aa0348
The Role of Google’s AI Overview
The study points to Google’s AI Overview feature as a primary factor behind the declining traffic. This feature, which provides users with concise news summaries directly in search results, allows readers to access key information without clicking through to the original articles. The feature’s reach expanded significantly in mid-2025, appearing in about a quarter of Google search queries by July that year.
However, the study also acknowledges that other changes have contributed to this trend. Algorithm adjustments favoring platforms like Reddit, as well as the growing popularity of AI chatbots for answering queries, have further diverted users from traditional search results and media websites.
Differing Perspectives
Google has disputed the findings of the Growtika study, arguing that the analysis is based on a narrow sample and fails to account for broader shifts in consumer behavior. "Audiences are more often choosing podcasts and forums", a Google representative stated, attributing traffic declines to changing habits rather than solely to AI Overview.
A Transforming Media Landscape
The findings highlight a significant shift in the media industry. While AI tools like Google’s feature are not replacing journalists outright, they are increasingly "intercepting" audiences that would otherwise visit news websites. This marks an important moment for digital media, as tech publications will need to adapt to an environment where AI-generated summaries and alternative platforms influence how users access information.
The study underscores how technology continues to reshape the relationship between news creators and their audiences, leaving media outlets to grapple with the evolving dynamics of search-driven traffic.
