Now that AI Overviews have been around for a couple months and have stabilized about as much as one can hope with a new experimental Google SERP feature, we have reassessed how they are ranking in STAT.

To better reflect how they initially appear on the SERP and how searchers are most likely to interact with them, starting with metrics dated December 4 and moving forward, AI Overviews will now receive up to three different ranking positions.

Let’s dig into the details.

What we changed from

Before, every link shown in an AIO was being parsed and added to STAT. This included the “preview” links (our terminology), which provide a direct link to the sourced site, as well as the “citation” links (again, our terminology), which do not immediately link to the sourced sites but rather display them in an overlay on the side.

The AI Overview as a whole received a rank of one, which meant all sources cited within it also received the same first place ranking.

What we changed to

To ensure our AI Overview data better aligns with how the feature appears on the SERP, as well as make it easier on the eyes and more actionable to use in the Archived SERPs subtab and Top 20 Comparison report (fewer google.com attributions), we will now provide up to three different ranks to direct-linked preview sites when they are visible on the initial page load.

This treatment of visible preview links is similar to how we handle the “Discussions and forums” SERP feature.

When there are no preview sites visible, but there are direct-linked sites present elsewhere in the AI Overview, those sites will all receive the same first place rank, similar to what we were doing before.

In cases where there may not be any direct-linked sites in the AIO, only one ranking position will be awarded here as well.

Base rank remains unchanged with this update — AI Overviews will still be excluded from base rank should you wish to exclude this SERP feature from your reporting.

How this will impact your ranking and share of voice metrics

Given their “come and go” nature, AI Overviews are prone to causing fluctuations in rankings and metrics that include ranking data in their calculations, such as share of voice.

For example, if you weren’t in an AI Overview that suddenly appeared on a Monday, you would see your keyword ranking drop by one. If the AIO disappeared on the Tuesday, your ranking would jump back up by one.

By attributing anywhere from one to two extra rankings to AI Overviews in STAT, this change does introduce slightly larger dips and spikes; however, we feel that this better reflects their true impact on the SERP given their size and top of SERP placement.

If you have any questions about this change or would simply like to chat about AI Overviews in STAT, shoot your friendly account manager an email or reach us at support@getstat.com.

Happy tracking,
The STAT team