In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the impact of AI Overviews on organic and paid search click-through rates, Google’s controversial ad changes, removal of lesser-used search features, and recent experiments with AI mode. They also highlight actionable tips for adding AI-generated multimedia to content, and discuss the evolving role of SEOs in the AI era.
Show Notes:
Non-SEO News
- YouTube Removes Close Option on Mobile Ads (Anu Adegbola)
- Video ads cannot be closed when viewing in horizontal mode.
- Sidebar ad remains open, reducing user experience by shrinking video display.
SEO News
- Adding AI-Generated Multimedia
- Tips for creating multi-modal content quickly (charts, videos, mindmaps, infographics).
- Real prompts provided for asset creation.
- New Google Search Ad Layout Causing Accidental Clicks
- New layout rolled out on October 13, 2023, aimed at easier navigation.
- Ads appear like organic listings, leading to accidental clicks.
- Google to Remove More Search Features
- Upcoming removal of several search features, including:
- Practice Problems Schema Markup
- Dataset Structured Data
- Today’s Doodle box, nutrition facts, nearby offers/events
- Aim to simplify search results and improve speed.
- Upcoming removal of several search features, including:
- AI Overviews Impact on Search Click Rates
- Study indicates drops in organic and paid click-through rates (CTR).
- CTR for organic results decreased significantly from October 2024 to September 2025.
- Similar declines observed for paid ads.
- GEO Startup Lorelight Shuts Down
- Launched in April 2025, aimed at proactive brand monitoring.
- Founder decided to shut down due to lack of actionable outcomes despite insights on brand visibility.
- Emphasized that traditional SEO and PR fundamentals still apply.
- Google Tests New Version of AI Mode
- Testing a feedback system for AI mode responses with side-by-side comparison prompts.
Sources:
YouTube Locks Sidebar on Mobile Ads, Removing Close Option – Discusses the removal of the close option on mobile ads, impacting user experience.
How to Add AI-Generated Multimedia to Your Content in 10 Minutes (With Real Prompts That Work) – Provides tips for creating multi-modal assets quickly, including charts, videos, and infographics.
Google’s New Ad Layout Is Causing Accidental Clicks – Covers the new sponsored ad layout leading to accidental clicks on ads.
Google to Remove More Search Features, Including Practice Problems, Nutrition Facts, Nearby Offers, and More – Details upcoming removals of various search features and structured data types.
AI Overviews Result in Drops in Organic and Paid Search – Analyzes the decline in organic and paid click-through rates due to AI overviews.
GEO Startup Lorelight Shuts Down – Discusses the shutdown of Lorelight, a startup focused on proactive brand monitoring.
Google Tests A New Version Of AI Mode – Reports on Google testing a new feedback system for AI mode responses.
