AI SEO Stats That Matter to Aussie Businesses – Nov 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes | Revenue impact: Immediate
The Numbers That Matter
In Australia, 39% of search results now include AI Overviews. When they appear, clicks to the #1 spot fall another 34.5%.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 organic click-through | 28% | 19% | -32% |
| Zero-click searches | 60% | 70% | +10 pts |
That’s 32% less traffic than a year ago, and you’re still paying the same (or more) for SEO.
The Australian Reality
Australia’s leading the world in AI search adoption, 1.42 queries per person. Your customers aren’t coming. They’re already here.
- 46% of Aussie searches have local intent
- 78% of those users buy within 24 hours
- 33% of Australians use voice search daily, mostly for local queries
They’re saying: “best [your service] near me.” The AI decides who wins, probably not you, unless you’ve optimised for it.
Consumer Confidence Is Tanking
October 2025: Australian consumer sentiment fell to 92.1 (-3.5%)
- Family finances outlook: -4.8%
- Outlook for next year: -9.9%
- 72% of Australians now care more about price than brand
- 57% have switched to cheaper options
Even premium buyers are cautious. They’re researching more before spending inside AI tools where most brands don’t exist yet.
The Investment Paradox
Smart operators follow the ROI:
- Local SEO done right = up to 500% ROI
- AI-optimised content yields 45% more traffic, 38% better conversions
- 68% report better returns from AI-focused strategies
Those still doing SEO like it’s 2023 are paying more for less traffic.
The Compounding Problem
| Year | Trend | Zero-Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Snippets start eating clicks | 50% |
| 2024 | Widespread zero-click searches | 60% |
| 2025 | AI Overviews knock off another 34.5% | ~ 70%+ expected |
Death by a thousand cuts — and each cut compounds the last.
The Question That Matters
Can you afford to pay 2025 prices for 2023 results?
Because that’s exactly what’s happening if you’re:
- Still celebrating keyword rankings while clicks vanish
- Missing when customers ask AI about your industry
- Invisible in voice search
- Fighting over traffic that’s disappearing
Bottom Line
Australians lead the world with 1.42 AI searches per person. When they ask, AI delivers an answer. If it’s not you — you don’t rank lower. You don’t exist.
The businesses fixing this now will own their markets. The rest will be explaining to their CFOs why traffic’s tanking while the SEO bill keeps climbing.
So… which one are you?
Takeaway for Aussie Businesses
Optimise for answers, not rankings
Train AI tools to cite your brand
Double down on local and voice search
Measure leads and revenue, not just clicks
FAQs About AI search in Australia
What is the biggest impact of AI Overviews on Australian businesses?
The most significant impact is the loss of organic search traffic. In Australia, AI Overviews now appear in 39% of search results, causing clicks to the #1 organic spot to drop by an additional 34.5%. This compounds the existing “zero-click” problem, leading to an overall 32% less organic traffic compared to a year prior.
How much is the click-through rate (CTR) for the #1 organic search result expected to fall by 2025?
The click-through rate for the #1 organic result is projected to drop from 28% in 2024 to 19% in 2025, representing a 32% decrease. This shift is due to the continued rise of zero-click searches, which are expected to account for over 70% of all searches by 2025.
What SEO strategies should Australian businesses prioritise to adapt to AI search?
Australian businesses must immediately shift focus from traditional keyword rankings to optimizing for answers and citation. This means structuring content so it’s easily citable by AI tools, aggressively pursuing Local and Voice SEO given that 46% of searches are local and 33% of Australians use voice daily, and finally, shifting reporting to measure the true business impact of leads and revenue, not just vanity metrics like clicks.