A drop in organic traffic often signals changes in search engine rankings, and Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) – now widely available in Australia as of December 2025 – fundamentally alters how search results are presented, impacting traditional organic visibility. SGE uses AI to create AI Overviews, summarising information directly within the search results page, potentially reducing clicks to individual websites.
Google’s SGE operates by analysing search queries and utilising its Gemini models to generate concise answers. These AI Overviews currently appear for approximately 18% of Australian searches, with Google aiming to expand this coverage in 2026. The system prioritises information from highly authoritative sources, determined by a complex algorithm considering factors like website authority, content relevance, and structured data markup (Schema.org). SGE also introduces AI-powered ‘conversational mode’, allowing users to refine their queries and receive more tailored responses, further impacting the need to click through to websites. Google Business Profile integration within SGE is particularly important for local Australian businesses, as it directly influences visibility in local search results and AI Overviews related to local services. The system is continually updated, with Google announcing planned enhancements to SGE’s ability to understand nuanced queries in 2027.
Essentially, SGE functions by directly answering user questions within the search results, potentially bypassing traditional website listings and relying on AI-generated summaries of information.
