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Dofollow Digest #27: What Google's "quality clicks" actually mean for SEO

Dofollow Digest #27: What Google's "quality clicks" actually mean for SEO

Eric Carrell
May 23, 2025

Hey, it's Eric 👋

Google's latest claim about AI search delivering "quality clicks" caught my attention this week. While they insist traffic from AI overviews is more qualified, they admit having "no data to share" to back up these quality improvements.

Independent studies show traffic drops when AI overviews appear, but I think there's a bigger story here about how search behavior is evolving. I'll break down what this means for SaaS companies below.

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🔍 DEEP DIVE: What Google's "Quality Clicks" Actually Mean for SEO

Google executives recently claimed that AI-powered search features deliver "more qualified clicks" to websites, even as traffic volumes decline. During a Google Marketing Live session, they suggested that users are asking more refined questions before deciding which site to visit.

The data situation is interesting: Google admits having no metrics to prove their quality claims, while independent studies consistently show fewer organic clicks when AI overviews appear. Meanwhile, ad performance in AI-enhanced search remains stable.

The Real Shift in Search Behavior

What's happening is that search patterns are becoming more sophisticated. Instead of broad queries like "project management software," people are asking specific questions like "project management tools for remote teams with Slack integration under $50/month."

This change represents an opportunity for SaaS companies. These longer, more detailed searches indicate higher purchase intent. Someone asking a specific question about integration capabilities or pricing tiers is further along in their decision process than someone just browsing general category pages.

Building for the New Search Landscape

The companies performing well in this environment share a few characteristics. They create content that answers complex, multi-part questions. They earn links from industry publications that establish credibility. They focus on demonstrating expertise rather than just listing features.

When AI overviews pull information from multiple sources, having authoritative content becomes more valuable, not less. Google's AI needs to trust your content enough to reference it when answering user questions.

This is where strategic link building becomes essential. Links from respected industry publications don't just pass authority – they signal to Google's AI that your content is trustworthy enough to include in comprehensive answers.

Practical Next Steps

Focus on the search queries that matter most to your business. Identify the specific, detailed questions your prospects ask during their evaluation process. Create content that provides thorough, helpful answers to these questions.

Build relationships with industry publications and thought leaders. These connections often lead to natural link opportunities that strengthen your overall authority.

The shift toward AI-enhanced search isn't just about adapting to algorithm changes. It's about aligning your content strategy with how people actually research and evaluate solutions today.

🔗 LINK ROUNDUP

Til next time,

Eric