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Since AI Overview started deleting clicks in natural search, I’ve had two questions: “What AI Overview key phrases drive clicks?” and “Is there a strategy to design extra clicks from zero click on search?”

I requested our ace information scientist, Xibeijiaif she helps me construct a profile of “AI Proof Key phrases.”

“AI proof key phrases” consult with a question that retains (or will increase) clicks even when an AI overview is current in SERP.

Xibeijia performed small research on the key phrases of Ahrefs and investigated.

Learn on to see what she finds…

AI overviews are likely to steal clicks.

Google makes use of AI to ask native questions in search outcomes. Because of this customers do not all the time must click on on the web site to search out the reply.

Ryan’s Law and Xibeiijia Guan I ran a (now well-known) research in April and was influenced by CTR in AI Overview.

They discovered that, on common, 34.5% CTR is misplaced when an AI overview is current in SERP.

However what concerning the key phrases? Please do not Expertise CTR drops. What do they appear like and have they got one thing in frequent?

Xibeijia carried out a really small test ahrefs.com see if we can learn anything from our own “AI Proof Keywords.”

It has something to do with:

  1. Heading to Google Search Console Keyword Reports via AHREFS
  2. Find keywords that increase CTR by 0-100%
  3. Set the date filter for March 13th (this is when the AI overview doubles following the core update in March)
  4. Applying filters “Impressions> = 100”
  5. Add these keywords to the keyword list
  6. Filter the list based on whether AI summary exists in SERP
The AHREFS GSC keyword report is filtered over 100 impressions and shows improved CTR US keyword performance. This table displays keywords that contain metrics such as clicks, impressions, CTR, location, and related URLs for the time range from March 13th to April 4th, 2025.The AHREFS GSC keyword report is filtered over 100 impressions and shows improved CTR US keyword performance. This table displays keywords that contain metrics such as clicks, impressions, CTR, location, and related URLs for the time range from March 13th to April 4th, 2025.

Google Search Console Performance on Ahrefs Dashboard

In total, 97 out of 1,393 keywords (~7%) were ranked as SERPs topped with AI overview.

As I said, the research was pretty small stir fry.

But even so, Xibeijia found some interesting patterns in the data.

Keywords seen Stable or It’s increased CTRs were divided into three categories.

1. They were the “free tools” keywords

Xibeijia noticed that despite the increasing presence of AI overviews, the “free tool” keyword has not experienced a decline in CTR.

We mean utility pages like Website Traffic Checker and Free Keyword Generator have made users click.

A zero-click search summary was not sufficient for the user in this situation.

Comparison of keyword AHREFS SERP "Free website traffic" Between March 10th and 26th, 2025. The chart highlights that the AHREFS Traffic Checker URL retained visibility, but slightly changed position, and other URLs shifted or dropped out of the top 10.Comparison of keyword AHREFS SERP "Free website traffic" Between March 10th and 26th, 2025. The chart highlights that the AHREFS Traffic Checker URL retained visibility, but slightly changed position, and other URLs shifted or dropped out of the top 10.

Ahrefs serp summary keyword explorer ahrefs free tool (traffic checker) lost one organic location, but earns AI summary quotes and gives you two chances of clicking.

2. They didn’t rank them originally.

Some keywords were not originally ranked on a single page, but they started ranking on top 10 or AI overviews after the 13th.

This reaffirms the importance of SEO.

If you want to properly optimize your content, teeth AI Overview While it is still possible to improve CTR with SERP, some industries and content types may be superior to others.

AHREFS SERP comparison of the keyword AHREFS SERP comparison of the keyword

AHREFS Summary Keyword Summary Explorer requests a summary of AI with one of Ahrefs’ “Top Websites” pages.

3. They appeared in SERP where AI overview is ranked below position 1

As Patrick Stocks Not too long ago shared AI overviews on the AHREFS weblog could not all the time be within the first place in SERP. In truth, you’ll be able to really rank from 1 to sixth.

In truth, ~8.5% time just isn’t in place 1.

In our research, we noticed each. Click on Parity or Click on Glow The AIOS crosses the SERP beneath place 1.

In different phrases, our information exhibits that if the AI overview just isn’t in place 1, we’re not eradicating that many clicks.

Comparison of keyword ahrefs serp "SteamUnlocked alternative" Between March 11, 2025 and July 1, 2025. Position profits, losses, and "AI Overview" The results will be displayed in position 6 on the most recent date.Comparison of keyword ahrefs serp "SteamUnlocked alternative" Between March 11, 2025 and July 1, 2025. Position profits, losses, and "AI Overview" The results will be displayed in position 6 on the most recent date.

Ahrefs serp abstract key phrase abstract Explorer View one of many “Prime Web sites” pages of Ahrefs and climb one rating with SERP, the place AI Abstract is ranked in place 6.

Please be aware the AI overview location CTR research within the weblog, as that is one thing we are going to take a look at in additional element.

First, head to:

  1. Dashboard
  2. mission
  3. Google Search Console
  4. Discover your mission

AHREFS GSC Project Overview Domain WordCount.com Overview. The traffic graph shows the trend of increasing impressions and clicks from 2022 to mid-2025. AHREFS GSC Project Overview Domain WordCount.com Overview. The traffic graph shows the trend of increasing impressions and clicks from 2022 to mid-2025.

Subsequent, head to:

  1. Key phrase Report
  2. Choose your area
  3. Units the impression threshold (e.g. 100)
  4. Set a constructive CTR vary (e.g. 0-100) and choose “Improved”

AHREFS GSC keyword tab AHREFS GSC keyword tab

Export these key phrases, open them in a spreadsheet and replica all of them.

AHREFS GSC keyword AHREFS GSC keyword

Then transfer to:

  1. Key phrase Explorer
  2. Paste it into the checklist
  3. Please select the identical area
  4. Apply the “SERP perform” filter
  5. Choose “embody> ai overview”

Lastly, apply the filter “Goal>” [enter your domain] >Show rating positions.”

The AHREFS keyword Explorer interface is filtered to display keywords ranked with the domain The AHREFS keyword Explorer interface is filtered to display keywords ranked with the domain

This may show the “AI proof” key phrase regardless of the AI overview.

Verify this report back to see what sorts of key phrases you’ll be able to goal to engineer extra clicks.

I am going to summarize

The AI overview has undoubtedly modified the search standing. Though it typically damages natural CTR, in small research, some key phrases proceed to advertise clicks.

So, what creates the key phrase “AI proof”? Three components stood out within the dataset:

  • Promote free instruments: Utility-driven queries (corresponding to “free instruments”) drive clicks. Summer season alone is not all the time sufficient.
  • It wasn’t ranked within the first place: Improved rankings will improve CTR even in AI-dominated SERPs.
  • It has AIO at a low place: If AIOS doesn’t occupy the highest slot of the SERP, the web page could have extra respiration chambers.

Even in zero-click searches, some key phrases nonetheless click on.

So, preserve monitor of key phrase efficiency and remember the place SERP’s AI overview seems.

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