Google AI Overviews acting up: what changes for the SERP

The May 22 anomaly: what exactly happened

On May 22, 2026, many users reported weird behavior on X regarding Google AI Overviews . Searching for the term "disregard", the box at the very top of the SERP spat out a classic conversational assistant answer. The text read: “Got it. If you need anything else or have a new question later, just let me know!”

Basically, the system had acted as if it were continuing a non-existent conversation. Instead of generating an informative summary of the searched word, it had produced a chatbot-style response. The Verge covered the story with direct screenshots , confirming just how widespread the issue is.

In the afternoon of the same day, Google removed the AI Overview for that query. In its place, the SERP showed a list of news articles about the anomaly itself. However, no official communication explained the technical causes of the error.

Why a single bug deserves strategic attention

At first glance, a glitch on a single query might seem irrelevant. Actually, the episode reveals something deeper about the current Google search architecture. AI Overviews are not a separate layer: they are integrated directly into the answer engine and occupy the most visible position on the page.

Therefore, any instability in that module translates into an immediate shake-up of the SERP. As a result, sites that rely on organic traffic suffer visibility swings that have nothing to do with the quality of their content. This is a structural risk, not a one-off incident.

Plus, the episode raises a fair question: how many other queries suffer from weird behavior without users catching on? Honestly, we just don't know. Search Engine Journal has already documented cases of AI Overviews with incorrect or misleading information in the past. This new case adds another category: the system that stops understanding what the user is looking for.

Direct impact on search visibility for Italian SMEs

For an Italian SME investing in SEO and digital content, the stability of AI Overviews is not an abstract issue. In fact, these boxes capture the user's attention before any traditional organic result. When they work properly, they can reduce the CTR of the results below. When they malfunction, they create confusion and potentially drive the user away from the SERP.

In both cases, the company website takes a hit. However, the impact isn't uniform. SMEs that have built a diversified digital presence — with authoritative content, quality backlinks, and a presence on alternative channels — are more resilient than those that depend on a single acquisition channel.

We at SHM Studio we've been seeing this trend with our clients for months. Specifically, companies that have invested in SEO copywriting structured and in strategies of Digital marketing integrated show greater organic traffic stability, even when facing issues in Google's AI systems.

The bigger picture: Google AI Overviews between promises and pitfalls

Google launched AI Overviews in 2024, gradually expanding them globally throughout 2025. Last year, the system had already generated controversy for blatantly incorrect answers — including the famous case of instructions on putting glue on pizza. Despite this, Google has continued to expand the product.

According to Gartner , by 2027 over 50% of searches in mature markets will be influenced by generative AI systems integrated into search engines. So the direction is clear. However, the quality and stability of these systems remain critical variables that companies cannot ignore.

The May 22 anomaly is not an isolated case in the literal sense of the word. Rather, it is a symptom of a technology still maturing, deployed on a global scale before achieving full reliability. For SMEs, this means operating in a context of structural uncertainty that requires adaptability.

What nobody is saying out loud: the risk of optimizing for a mobile audience

Over the past few months, a lot of SEO pros have started talking about "AI Overviews optimization" like it's the newest frontier for search visibility. The idea is simple: make structured content so Google picks it for its AI boxes. But, this approach has a major flaw.

The target is constantly moving. Google keeps tweaking how it picks AI Overviews, how they're structured, and even when they show up for certain queries. Because of this, optimizing only for this format means building on shaky ground. The May 22 incident proves this loud and clear: a system that can't figure out what the user is looking for just isn't a reliable anchor for your content strategy.

Also, we need to consider that Google hasn't released transparent metrics yet on how AI Overviews impact organic traffic. Google Search Console data doesn't separate clicks from traditional results from those coming from AI box interactions. So businesses are kinda operating in the dark.

What to do now: practical tips for SMBs

Facing this situation, just sitting around waiting isn't the best move. There are some practical steps SMBs can take starting today.

• Diversify traffic sources: invest in google ads campaigns and LinkedIn campaigns backs up organic traffic with channels that are easier to control and track.
• Strengthen domain authority: in-depth, fresh, and well-organized content remains the strongest signal for ranking systems, even with AI around. The work of SEO copywriting professional maintains its value.
• Monitor strategic queries: periodically check how Google handles the most important queries for your business, including the presence or absence of AI Overviews. Tools like Google Search Console and advanced rank tracking tools are essential.
• Invest in a solid web presence: A website technically solid, with proper semantic markup, it boosts the odds of getting picked by AI systems—when they actually work right.
• Consider adding custom AI tools: the solutions of AI for content creation and optimization make it easy to keep up a fast posting schedule without relying entirely on Google's systems.

Outlook: what to expect in the coming months

Google won't back down on AI Overviews. In fact, over the next few quarters, a further expansion of the format is likely, with the integration of multimodal capabilities and a growing presence on commercial and transactional queries. For SMEs, this means the issue won't resolve itself.

Still, incidents like the one on May 22nd are speeding up awareness in the industry. More and more companies are realizing that search visibility in 2026 takes a multi-layered strategy. Ranking well just isn't enough: you need to show up consistently across multiple digital touchpoints.

The team at SHM Studio follow the evolution of AI Overviews and their SEO implications with constant updates. To learn more about how to structure a resilient digital visibility strategy, you can check out our Blog or contact us directly .