Google AI search results

[xantia_v6]

The BBC recently published an article about the way that Google is using AI summaries in its search results: Is Google about to destroy the web? It is an interesting read. I had already noticed a drop-off in the click-through ratio of this site (but had no idea of the reason). Our CTR (the proportion of users who click on a link in Google search results) has dropped from about 7% to about 5% (a 30% drop) in 3 months.

This sort of drop would be serious for many sites that obtain revenue on a per-click basis.

I am currently not to concerned about this site however, as:

• We don't have a per-click revenue stream
• The current Google AI algorithm does not provide much help when your French car is broken, so users must choose a link to click anyway
• Once a user has found our site, they are likely to be accessing it directly in future, not using the AI summaries

So have a think about how your other favorite sites may be affected.

[mickthemaverick]

Another reality that enhances my dislike of Google! As most know I use Duckduckgo and when they introduced their 2 AI features they immediately added a switch in Settings to turn them off and thus keep AI off my devices.

Together with the VPN and general privacy features I feel my kit is as well protected from prying bots as it can be!!

[CitroJim]

Together with the VPN and general privacy features I feel my kit is as well protected from prying bots as it can be!!

I saw the word 'prying' and an earworm took up residence... To paraphrase an old Eagles hit: 'You cant' hide those pryin' eyes... And your VPN is a thin disguise...'

Actually in your case, where you are totally unknown in cyberspace, all good precautions. For me, that particular boat has long since sailed off into the ether.

I'm all over the Internet like a rash and have been for many years... Do a search on either my real name or sobriquet and see what I mean

My big concern these days is to ensure I keep anything malicious out of my software and OSs... So far, touch wood

[CitroJim]

You have to be very cautious about what AI tells you in my experience, and not just the Google variety... Ask it some question or another and the answers it gives can range from plausible, inaccurate, wrong, totally wrong and even dangerous. The questions don't even have to be particularly arcane.

Try it and see. Ask AI a question on a subject you are well-versed in and see what it says...

My rule is that I need to see the answer to a question answered in substantially the same way from at least ten independent sources... Then I may consider it potentially trustworthy.