AI Summaries May Shorten Searches, But Increase Early Termination, Study Finds

A recent study of Google searches shows that when an AI‑generated summary appears above the results, users click through to a source only 8 % of the time—half the rate when no summary is shown. The summary also raises the likelihood that a search session ends entirely, from 16 % to 26 %. The research suggests that people give up before finding a correct answer because the sheer number of links forces many low‑value decisions. While AI can reduce the decision chain if used deliberately—by asking follow‑up questions instead of opening new tabs—it does not eliminate the need to verify the answer. The cost of stopping too soon is higher when the stakes are larger, such as in workplace decisions.