The AI Overview feature is quietly changing how millions of people use Google.

Instead of digging through pages of blue links, users now get instant answers right at the top of their screens. It feels faster and easier — but not everyone is convinced that what they’re seeing can be trusted.

This article looks at how people across the U.S. are responding to these new AI-generated search summaries: how often they appear, how helpful people find them, and how much trust they’re willing to place in them.

The AI Overview feature is quietly changing how millions of people use Google.

Key Takeaways
About two-thirds (65%) of American adults say they sometimes come across AI Overview results while using Google.
Younger users notice them far more often — 62% of adults aged 18–29 say they see AI answers regularly, compared with just 23% of those 65 and older.
When it comes to usefulness, 1 in 5 people (20%) say these AI summaries are very helpful, while another 52% think they’re somewhat useful.
But trust is still a big issue — only 6% of people say they completely trust AI answers, while nearly half (46%) admit they have little to no faith in them.
As AI-powered search becomes the new normal, fewer people are clicking on traditional links — which could mean smaller websites see less traffic over time.

How Often Do People Actually See AI Overviews?

If you’ve searched on Google recently, you’ve probably noticed something new — those short, AI-generated summaries that pop up right at the top of your results. They’ve quietly become part of everyday searching, whether we realize it or not.

A recent Pew Research Center survey (August 2025) found that about 65% of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes come across these AI overviews when searching online. That’s a big sign of how quickly artificial intelligence is blending into our daily internet habits.

Younger people seem to notice these summaries the most — maybe because they’re more curious and click around more often:

Ages 18–29: 62% say they see AI results often or very often
Ages 30–49: 53% say the same
Ages 50–64: 39% notice them frequently
Ages 65 and older: only 23% say they often see them

Interestingly, about 13% of people weren’t even sure if they had seen one — which makes sense. These AI sections can blend so naturally into search results that some might scroll past without realizing it.

The generational gap is striking — nearly 40 points between the youngest and oldest adults. It’s a reminder that younger people tend to explore new tech features faster, while many older adults still prefer the familiar list of blue links they’ve trusted for years.

Do Americans Find AI Summaries Useful?

When it comes to whether people actually like these AI overviews, opinions are mixed — curious, but cautious.

Only one in five adults said they find AI summaries “extremely” or “very” useful. Many appreciate the speed — getting a quick, clean answer feels convenient — but there’s still a layer of doubt. People want to trust that what they’re reading is accurate before relying on it completely.

Younger adults are generally more open to it:

Under 30: 25% say they find AI summaries very useful
65 and older: just 12% agree

Most people, though — around 52% — fall somewhere in the middle. They think the summaries are somewhat useful. In other words, they like the idea but aren’t ready to hand over their full trust just yet. For now, AI overviews are more like a friendly helper than a dependable expert.

Interestingly, politics doesn’t seem to shape people’s opinions much. Both Republicans and Democrats view the feature in similar ways. It’s less about ideology and more about how comfortable someone feels with new technology.

In the end, Americans are still getting used to having AI sitting right there in their search results — quick, smart, and a little mysterious. People seem intrigued by the convenience, yet they still want to double-check the facts themselves. It’s clear that trust in AI search isn’t built overnight — it’s learned, one search at a time.

How Much People Trust AI Search Results

When it comes to trusting AI search results, many Americans still feel a bit unsure. The idea of a computer summarizing answers for us sounds convenient, but it also raises a quiet question in people’s minds — “Can I really trust this?”

Only about 6% of people say they trust AI summaries a lot.
Nearly half (48%) say they trust them somewhat. They appreciate how quick and helpful the answers are, but they still like to double-check the facts before believing everything they read.
Meanwhile, around 46% admit they have little or no trust in AI-generated results. Some feel uneasy not knowing where the information comes from or how the summaries are made. So, they often fall back on the good old traditional search, where they can browse and decide for themselves.

Right now, many Americans are still trying to figure out how much faith to put in AI search — curious about its potential but cautious enough to stay in control.

What This Means for the Future of AI-Powered Search

AI-powered search tools, especially Google’s new features, are quietly reshaping how we explore the internet. More people are reading those short, ready-made answers at the top of the page instead of scrolling through endless lists of links. It’s fast, simple, and convenient — but that convenience comes with a small dose of doubt.

Trust is still the biggest hurdle.
Only a small portion of Americans say they completely trust these tools, while most sit somewhere in the middle — interested but unsure.
That hesitation means people might take longer to rely on AI search for serious topics like health, news, or finances, where accuracy is everything.

This shift also affects content creators and publishers.
When users get their answers directly from the summaries, they click fewer links — which means less website traffic, especially for smaller or independent outlets. Over time, this could change whose voices are heard online and how information is shared.
Still, there’s hope ahead. AI search is improving quickly. Future versions may explain their sources more clearly, provide stronger fact-checking, and help users understand how each summary is made. That transparency could make a big difference in rebuilding trust.

The Bottom Line

AI-powered summaries are now a normal part of how we search online. They make finding answers faster and easier — but not everyone is ready to rely on them completely. Many people still prefer to double-check and read more before deciding what to believe.

As Google’s AI search keeps evolving, clearer sources, smarter fact-checking, and more transparency will be key. The more open and reliable these tools become, the more people will feel comfortable trusting them — not just for quick answers, but for the truth itself.

FAQs

1. How do I get the AI Overview on Google?

You don’t have to do anything special — it just shows up! When you search for something detailed or ask a question on Google, the AI Overview often appears at the top. It’s Google’s way of giving you a quick, smart summary when it thinks it’ll really help.

2. Why is Google showing me an AI Overview?

Google’s AI Overview is designed to save you time and make searching easier. Instead of clicking through multiple links, you get a short, easy-to-understand answer right away. It gathers reliable info from trusted websites so you can quickly get the gist before diving deeper into your usual search results. It’s like having a little helper who sums things up for you!

3. Is the AI Overview the same as ChatGPT?

Not exactly. They’re quite different. Google’s AI Overview pulls together and summarizes information already out there on the web. ChatGPT, on the other hand, actually creates responses — like having a friendly chat that generates new ideas or explanations in real time. So while both use AI, they serve different purposes.

4. Do I have to pay to use AI Overview?

Nope! It’s completely free. Anyone using Google Search — whether on a phone, tablet, or computer — can see AI Overviews. It’s simply part of your normal search experience, giving you quick answers without any subscriptions or extra costs.