AI search may be eating the ad web: Google paid clicks slow from 13% to 8%
ElphieJ · reddit · 2026-11-05
The author observes that people increasingly use AI for everyday searches, product comparisons, and quick answers instead of opening links. Citing Google's latest earnings, search revenue still grew 12% YoY, but paid ad click growth slowed from 13% to 8% — an early warning for the ad-driven web.
The post walks through the logic: shopping used to mean searching, visiting sites, comparing prices, and clicking ads; now AI does most of that, reducing traffic and sales opportunities for websites. Google could insert paid recommendations into AI answers, but users want honest answers, not paid placements. The author ends with two open questions: will businesses eventually pay AI platforms for product recommendations instead of competing for search rankings, and how can AI search monetize without destroying user trust?
Related event: AI Search Slows Online Ad Growth as Users Shift Away from Clicking Links(2 posts)→
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