First off, it was nice of Google to host this event, share what’s new with search, and discuss some responses to common concerns among site owners lately.
My main takeaway is that the SEO industry is desperate for AI Overview tracking, but Google doesn’t have plans to give that data to us. 📈 Paul Shapiro asked for UTM parameters in AIO citations (ChatGPT has them - great point), Glenn Gabe asked for any type of AIO reporting in GSC, and Michael King asked for Google to help us explain to our clients that we can expect less traffic but better quality traffic with AIO. Seems like Google heard us, because the entire room shared these exact same concerns.
Google also didn’t have an answer for what to do about incorrect (hallucinated) information in AI Overviews when the correct business information is available in Google Business Profile - they say to submit feedback and use the “thumbs down” when you encounter wrong information in AIO. I honestly can’t believe this is the public’s responsibility when SO many AIO responses are blatantly wrong/hallucinated. And Google already has the right information in a separate Google product (GBP)!
To me, having wrong answers in AIO directly contradicts Google’s other efforts to showcase results with good E-E-A-T - which they still talked about as being important today.
I have many more opinions and will continue sharing them over time like I always do 😅
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