Being the top organic result on Google no longer guarantees that customers will see a business, as search engine results pages have become crowded with ads, AI Overviews, local Map Packs and related questions. According to a press release from db Consulting, the traditional “ten blue links” layout has been replaced by a more complex mix that can push standard website listings far down the page, especially on mobile devices. Google notes that the layout can vary by query and device, making a number one ranking an incomplete measure of online visibility.
A 2025 analysis by GrowthSRC Media, cited in the release, examined more than 200,000 keywords across 30 websites and found that the top organic result’s click-through rate fell from 28% to 19% after AI Overviews expanded. The analysis showed a correlation but did not prove that AI Overviews alone caused the decline. Still, the trend highlights a growing challenge for businesses that rely solely on ranking reports to gauge their online presence.
David Brown, founder of db Consulting, advises business owners to see search results as customers do. “Business owners can still be proud of ranking number one,” Brown said. “But they should also ask what customers see before that listing. If an AI answer, ads and a Map Pack fill the screen first, the ranking report may tell only part of the story.” He recommends searching for the service you most want to sell in the city you most want to reach, checking results on a phone, and looking for your business in Maps, AI-generated answers and traditional listings.
“This isn’t the end of SEO,” Brown added. “It’s the end of pretending one position number tells you whether customers can find you. Customers see the whole page, from AI answers and Maps to traditional listings. Your strategy has to reflect what they actually see.” Brown works with Newsworthy.ai and Encino Labs on local search, Google Maps and AI-powered search, supported by digital PR and technical expertise. Businesses can visit neo1seo.com to request a free visibility review and see where their business appears across Google Maps, AI-powered results and traditional listings.
The implications are significant for small and medium-sized businesses that have invested heavily in traditional SEO. As AI-generated answers and local packs increasingly dominate the top of the results page, companies may need to diversify their visibility strategies, focusing on Google Maps optimization, AI search presence, and digital PR to ensure they are seen at the moment customers are ready to choose. Brown’s humorous take underscores the point: “My cat Batman doesn’t understand Google’s algorithm. He just steps in front of my screen until I notice him. Honestly, that’s a better visibility strategy than hoping someone scrolls down.”
