December 4, 2025

The rise of A.I. and it’s impact on website traffic.

Noticed a drop in your website traffic? If so, you’re not alone.

Search engines are evolving fast. Google, Bing, and other platforms are now using AI-generated summaries to give users instant information directly on the search results page.  The impact of these AI summaries on web traffic has been substantial - up to 30% drops on some sites. 


For small and medium-sized businesses, this shift can feel worrying. If search engines are answering questions themselves, where does that leave your website?


While some businesses might see reduced traffic to their website, there are some simple strategies you can use to protect and grow your visibility.


How do AI summaries reduce website traffic?

AI summaries pull information from across the web and present it as a single, concise answer. This changes user behaviour in a few key ways:


  1. Fewer clicks for simple questions
    If users get the answer immediately (e.g., “What time should I post on Instagram?”), they don’t need to click through.
  2. AI summaries re-rank content
    Google may showcase businesses that it sees as authoritative - even if they weren’t originally in the top 3 organic results.
  3. More competition for attention
    Your website is no longer just competing with other websites, but with an AI-generated block that appears before traditional results.
  4. Branded search is more valuable
    Users who already know your business are still likely to click. But unbranded discovery search may shrink.

What type of content is most at risk?

AI summaries usually affect content that:

  • Answers a straightforward question
  • Lacks unique insights or expertise
  • Provides basic definitions or how-to steps
  • Is easily paraphrased by an AI model


If your site relies heavily on informational “top of funnel” content, this is where you’ll likely feel traffic changes first.


How can you reduce and offset this impact?

Search is changing, not disappearing. Businesses that adapt will outperform competitors who don’t. Here are the strongest strategies to future-proof your website.


Expertise, Experience, Authority, Trust (EEAT)

Google prioritises content that shows real-world experience and human expertise. AI cannot replicate that. The more un-summarisable your content is, the less likely AI will replace you.


Create “AI-Resistant” content

Focus on content that AI summaries cannot fully answer, such as local service pages, product pages, pricing pages and custom quotes, stories, interviews, niche expertise (not generic advice).  Search engines still need to send traffic to pages that require nuance, context, or a decision.


Invest in your brand

When generic search becomes more competitive, branded search becomes gold. If users search for your business by name, AI summaries can’t intercept those clicks.


Improve the on-page experience to increase conversions

If traffic decreases, conversion rate optimisation (CRO) becomes even more important.  Small improvements can lead to a big boost in leads. If you can turn the same traffic into more leads, you stay competitive even with fewer visitors.


Capture AI traffic with structured data & schema markup

Search engines depend heavily on structured data to build AI summaries. By implementing schema types you can increase the chances that your website will be featured or cited in AI results, even if the user doesn’t always click.  This keeps your business visible, authoritative, and trusted.


Build a reliable non-search traffic strategy

AI isn’t the only way customers discover businesses. Other mediums such as email newsletters, social media, short-form videos and podcasts can mean less reliance on search which means more control over your business growth.


Encourage repeat visits and direct engagement

If a user visits your site once, give them reasons to come back - without needing Google.  Building a 'warm' audience protects you from algorithm changes.


Create content that AI summaries link out to

If AI uses your content as a reference, you stay relevant within its ecosystem.


SEO isn’t dead, it's just different.

AI summaries are changing search, but businesses that provide genuine value, build their brand, and create unique content will continue to grow.

Traffic might shift and user behaviours will evolve. But visibility, leads, and revenue can still increase - with the right strategy.


To modernise your online presence and stay ahead of the game, get in touch today, or read more about our Lead Generation service.

AI summaries and impact on SERPs
By Gavin Nash April 16, 2026
When businesses consider partnering with a marketing agency, the choice often comes down to a local firm or a large national agency. While national agencies may boast big names and flashy portfolios, local marketing companies consistently deliver stronger, more meaningful results—especially for businesses operating within regional or community-focused markets. Understanding your local audience One of the biggest advantages of working with a local marketing company is their deep understanding of the area you operate in. Local agencies know the community, the culture and the nuances that influence buying behaviour. They understand what resonates with local audiences because they live, work and do business alongside them. This insight translates into messaging that feels authentic rather than generic, helping brands connect more naturally with their customers. Who answers your calls or email requests? Accessibility is another major benefit. With a local agency, you’re not just a line item on a spreadsheet or one of hundreds of accounts. You can meet face-to-face, have direct conversations and build real working relationships with the people handling your brand. Decisions are made faster, communication is clearer and collaboration feels far more personal. When something needs adjusting, you can pick up the phone and speak directly to the decision-makers, not a junior account manager a time zone away. Flexible and responsive Local agencies also offer greater flexibility and responsiveness. National agencies often rely on rigid processes designed to scale across large client lists. While these systems may work for corporate brands, they can be frustratingly slow and inflexible for small to medium businesses. Local marketers adapt quickly, tailor strategies to your goals and shift direction when the market or your priorities change. That agility can be the difference between capitalising on an opportunity and missing it entirely. Value for money Value for money is another key consideration. Large agencies carry significant overheads—big offices, large teams and complex structures—which are inevitably passed on to clients. Local marketing companies typically offer more competitive pricing while delivering senior-level expertise. Your budget goes directly into strategy, creative and execution, rather than into layers of management and administration. Local reputation There’s also a stronger sense of accountability when you work locally. A local agency’s reputation is closely tied to the success of its clients. They rely on word-of-mouth, repeat business and long-term relationships within the community. This creates a genuine incentive to deliver results and provide honest advice rather than upselling services you don’t need. Supports local Choosing a local marketing company is an investment in your local economy. Supporting local businesses helps strengthen the community you serve, creating a positive cycle of growth, collaboration and shared success. While national agencies may suit global brands with complex, large-scale needs, for many businesses the smarter choice is closer to home. Local marketing companies offer insight, accessibility, flexibility and value—delivering strategies that are not just seen, but felt, by the audiences that matter most.
Get better organic search results and ditch google ads
By Gavin Nash January 3, 2026
Research shows that a majority of users scroll past paid ads on Google. Up to 70–80% of people ignore sponsored listings and focus on organic search results instead.
Get More Customers with M Group Marketing
By Gavin Nash September 28, 2025
Be Discoverable. Be the Preferred Choice. In today’s digital landscape, visibility is everything - and selection follows discovery. Read more...
More Posts