I recently had the pleasure of working with Red+White Marketing Agency, and I couldn't be more impressed with their services! From the outset, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and creativity. They took the time to understand my business needs and crafted a tailored marketing strategy that truly resonated with my target audience. The communication throughout the process was outstanding, they kept me informed at every stage and were always receptive to feedback. Their innovative approach to digital marketing helped elevate my brand's online presence significantly. I noticed an increase in engagement and leads almost immediately after implementing their strategies. What I appreciated most was their dedication to results. Red+White Marketing Agency not only delivered on their promises but exceeded my expectations. If you're looking for a marketing agency that combines passion, expertise, and a personal touch, I highly recommend Red+White. They are a powerhouse in the marketing world, and I look forward to continuing our partnership!
AI Overviews in Search Console: the 5-minute check.
Intro
Since AI Overviews reached South African search results, there’s been one question you couldn’t answer from inside Google Search Console: how often is Google using my site in its AI answers? You could see the symptom, impressions climbing while clicks went nowhere, but not the cause.
In June 2026 Google quietly shipped the report that answers it. Most business owners we talk to don’t know it exists.
This is the practical walkthrough: where the new report lives, what it shows, what it still hides, and the five-minute check we run on real client accounts to tell whether AI Overviews are absorbing clicks that used to reach the site. If the whole topic of AI search optimisation is new to you, we cover the fundamentals here.
Key takeaways
- Google added a generative AI performance report to Search Console in June 2026. It shows how often your pages appear inside AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- It reports impressions only. No clicks, no CTR, no query breakdown, and no data from before mid-May 2026.
- The click-loss check still runs through the ordinary Search results report: impressions holding or climbing while clicks flatten or fall.
- The fastest version is the brand check. On one account we manage, a page-one ranking for the client’s own brand name pulled 148 impressions in a day and converted exactly one into a click.
- When clicks drop while rankings hold or improve, the ranking isn’t the problem. Something on the results page is answering before the click happens.
- You can block Google’s AI features from using your content. Doing so rarely helps, because the answer still appears, just without you in it.
What is the generative AI report in Google Search Console?
It’s a performance report Google added to Search Console in June 2026 that shows how often your pages appear inside Google’s AI experiences: AI Overviews and AI Mode. It reports impressions, broken down by page, country, device and date.
That sentence hides a real change. Before this report existed, an appearance inside an AI Overview was counted as an ordinary impression in your normal Search results data. Your page could be quoted in the AI answer at the top of the page, and Search Console would record it exactly the same way as a plain blue link at position 40. There was no way to separate the two.
Now there is. The report splits out generative AI appearances so you can finally see how much of your “visibility” is happening inside answers rather than as links people click.
Two things to know before you go looking. The rollout is gradual, so not every property sees the report yet. And there’s no historical backfill: the data starts in mid-May 2026, so nothing earlier will ever appear in it. Google’s documentation breaks down exactly what the report counts as an impression.
How do you check your AI Overviews impressions?
Open Search Console, go to the Performance section, and open the generative AI report next to the usual Search results view. If your property has it, you’ll see impressions for AI Overviews and AI Mode with breakdowns by page, country, device and date.
Step by step:
- 01.Sign in to Search Console and pick your property.
- 02.In the left-hand menu, look under Performance. Alongside the familiar Search results report you’ll now find the generative AI report.
- 03.Open it and read the impressions trend since mid-May 2026. This is how often your site appeared inside an AI experience.
- 04.Switch to the Pages tab to see which of your pages Google is pulling into AI answers. Informational pages, guides and FAQs usually dominate this list.
- 05.Note the date your data starts. You can’t compare against last year, so treat the first few months as your baseline.
If the report isn’t there, you’re not doing anything wrong. It hasn’t reached your property yet. The click-loss check below works without it.
What does the report leave out?
Clicks. The generative AI report currently shows impressions only, with no click counts, no CTR and no query breakdown. It tells you how visible you are inside AI answers, but not what that visibility earns you or costs you.
That’s a bigger gap than it sounds. An AI Overview impression and a Search results impression mean different things to your business. One is a link a person might click. The other is often a finished answer, read and closed. Google says traffic that does arrive from its AI features is folded into your overall Search Console reporting, which confirms the visits are counted somewhere, but the answers that satisfied someone without a click leave no trace at all.
So the new report answers “how often am I in the AI answer?” and stays silent on “is that helping or hurting?”. For that, you go back to the ordinary report.
How do you tell if AI Overviews are taking your clicks?
Compare your impressions trend against your clicks trend in the ordinary Search results report over the past three months. Impressions holding or climbing while clicks flatten or fall is the interception pattern, and it shows up most on informational searches. We covered the full diagnostic in what AI Overviews do to SA traffic.
The fastest version takes five minutes, and it uses your own brand name.
Filter the Search results report to the query that is your business name. That query should be the healthiest one you own. Someone typed your name into Google. They already know you. If you rank on page one for it, nearly every impression should become a click.
On one e-commerce account we manage, that’s not what the data shows. The site holds a page-one position for its own brand name, pulling 120 to 150 impressions a day on that single query. On most days, zero or one of those impressions becomes a click. One day in July: 148 impressions, average position 4, one click.
If you rank on page one for your own name and the clicks still aren’t arriving, your ranking isn’t the problem. Something between the result and the person is capturing the visit, and in 2026 the usual suspect sits at the top of the page.
The month-over-month view on the same account tells the same story more carefully. Brand-query CTR fell from 0.44% to 0.39% over 28 days. Non-brand CTR fell from 0.42% to 0.36%. And here’s the part that rules out the easy explanation: non-brand average position improved over the same window, from 17.7 to 16.8. Rankings got better. Clicks got scarcer.
One caveat we’d give any client, so we’ll give it to you too. Search Console alone can’t prove AI Overviews specifically caused a drop like that. Another results-page feature, or plain seasonality, can produce a similar shape. What the pattern does tell you is that the loss isn’t a ranking problem, and the fix isn’t more of the same SEO.
The behaviour research points the same way. Pew Research Center found that when an AI summary appears on a results page, users click a traditional result on just 8% of visits, against 15% without one. Roughly half the clicks, gone before anyone’s ranking moved.
Was it AI Overviews, or something else?
Not every click drop is AI. Before you blame Overviews, rule out the other causes, because each one has a different fix.
- Did your positions actually fall? If average position worsened alongside clicks, you have an ordinary ranking problem first. Fix that before anything else.
- Is it seasonal? Compare against the same period last year, not last month. Plenty of South African businesses see winter dips that have nothing to do with Google.
- Which queries are bleeding? Informational searches trigger AI Overviews far more than commercial ones. If your “how to” and “what is” pages lost clicks while product and service pages held, that split points at Overviews. If everything fell together, look elsewhere.
- Run the brand check. A healthy brand query with impressions converting to clicks argues against interception. A starved one, like the account above, argues for it.
Ten minutes with these four questions beats a month of guessing.
What should you do if AI answers are absorbing your clicks?
Work to be cited inside the answer instead of ranked underneath it, keep measuring outcomes rather than mentions, and protect the commercial pages AI Overviews mostly leave alone.
Being the source an AI Overview quotes is now measurably better than ranking below one, and the way to earn it is answer-first content structure. We’ve written the full playbook in how to get cited in AI search. And you don’t need the top spot to get there either, the real odds by position are in do you need to rank #1 for AI Overviews?
Measurement matters just as much, because citations without customers is its own trap. A mention inside an answer can happen fifty times without producing a single enquiry, and we’ve watched that gap confuse smart people. We unpacked it in AI search citations but no sales.
And on blocking: Google does give you controls to keep your content out of AI features. We almost never recommend using them. The Overview still appears on the query, your competitor’s content fills it, and you’ve traded a smaller presence for none.
How red&white runs this check for clients
We run this diagnostic monthly across the Search Console properties of every SEO and AI search client we manage from Cape Town: the new generative AI report where it’s live, the impressions-versus-clicks trend, the query-mix split, and the brand check. The numbers in this article come from that routine work, not from a lab.
It’s also the first thing we do for a new client, because it changes the plan. A site losing clicks to Overviews on informational queries needs citation-ready content structure. A site with a ranking problem needs ordinary SEO. A site with both needs them in the right order, and the diagnostic is what tells you the order.
If your traffic has gone quiet while your rankings look fine, our AI search service starts with exactly this check on your own data.
The bottom line
Google finally gave you a window into AI Overviews, and it’s worth opening this week. The new Search Console report shows where you appear inside AI answers, the ordinary report still holds the evidence of what those answers cost you, and the brand check is the fastest way to see interception on your own data.
The pattern to look for hasn’t changed: impressions up, clicks down, rankings steady. What’s changed is that you can now see part of the cause directly instead of inferring all of it.
If you’d rather have someone read your Search Console with you and tell you plainly whether AI Overviews are your problem, talk to us. It takes us five minutes to check and we’ll show you exactly what we found.
Questions.
How do I check AI Overviews impressions in Google Search Console?
Open Search Console, go to the Performance section, and open the generative AI report Google added in June 2026. It shows how often your pages appeared in AI Overviews and AI Mode, broken down by page, country, device and date. If you don't see it yet, the rollout hasn't reached your property.
Does Google AI Overviews reduce website traffic?
On searches where an AI Overview appears, yes. Pew Research found users click a traditional result on only 8% of visits when an AI summary is present, against 15% without one. Informational searches are hit hardest. Transactional and product searches mostly still deliver the click.
Why does the AI Overviews report show no clicks or CTR?
Google currently reports impressions only in the generative AI report. There are no click counts, no CTR and no query breakdown yet. To judge whether AI answers are costing you visits, you still compare impressions against clicks in the ordinary Search results report.
Can I see AI Overviews data from before May 2026?
No. The report has no historical backfill, so data starts in mid-May 2026. Anything earlier is blended invisibly into your normal Search results impressions, which is how Google reported AI Overview appearances before the dedicated report existed.
Can I stop Google using my content in AI Overviews?
Yes, Google provides controls to limit how your content appears in AI features. It's rarely the right move. Opting out doesn't bring the old clicks back, it just hands your spot in the answer to a competitor who stayed in.
What our clients say.
5.0I have worked with a few agencies before, but none come close to the great service, communication and results we have had while using Red+White! They have managed our Google Ads account, running P-Max, Search and Dynamic Search ads - and helped us achieve a great return on investment by reaching targets for our e-commerce store! Thank you Darren and Jean for your clear communication and undying dedication to detail while handling our account!
Working with Red + White Agency has been a game-changer for our brand. Their strategic approach and creative insight have significantly boosted our brand awareness and elevated how we connect with our audience. From day one, they demonstrated a deep understanding of our goals and delivered solutions that not only resonated with our audience but also improved the overall user experience across our platforms. Their team is proactive, responsive, and incredibly easy to work with, always going the extra mile to ensure we're ahead of the curve. We've seen measurable improvements in engagement and customer satisfaction since partnering with them. If you're looking for a team that truly understands how to grow and refine your brand, Red + White Agency is the way to go. Highly recommended!
I had the pleasure of working with RED MARKETING, and I can confidently say they are an outstanding agency. Their efficiency and creativity are truly impressive, and they maintain a remarkably high standard of attention and insight for their clients. What sets them apart is their commitment to treating each client as a unique individual, ensuring that every strategy is tailored to specific needs. They pride themselves on being at the top of their game, and it shows in their results. If you're looking to elevate your brand, I highly recommend RED MARKETING!
Wow guys! Thank you to Jean and his team for making it super easy and effective to get my website and website traffic to where it is now. With so much knowledge in the space, our SEO and Google tracking has proven itself monthly!! Can't recommend this enough for ALL business 👏 Many thanks from IVgo Cape Town!
I Wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on working with Darren, Jean, and their incredible team. From the get-go, these guys have been nothing short of amazing. It’s not just their skills with Google Ads that’s impressive – it’s their attitude and approach that really stand out. Working with Darren and Jean feels like teaming up with friends who genuinely care about your success. They're super easy to work with, always warm, and bring a positive vibe that makes even the toughest of tasks seem doable. They're not just in it for the paycheck – it’s clear they're here to help us succeed, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. It’s been a great journey with them, and I can’t recommend these guys enough. If you're looking for a team that's skilled, dedicated, and truly values your success, look no further. Cheers to Darren, Jean, and the team for being awesome at what they do!
As a team of creatives, having RED & WHITE to pass our clients on to has been a massive help for our team. They offer the necessary advertising services that our team do not have the capabilities , or specialist understanding to offer. Transparent and trustworthy are the best way I could describe what to expect if you decide to work with their team. It also goes without saying they know what they are doing in the advertising space but you can ask them anything you like to bring your own peace of mind, as I mentioned earlier, they are very transparent with their capabilities and what you can expect from them.
We couldn't be happier with the results our SEO agency Red + White have delivered! Their expertise, dedication, and strategic approach have significantly improved our website's rankings and online visibility. Thanks to their efforts, we've seen a noticeable increase in traffic and conversions. Highly recommend their services!
We are incredibly grateful to Jean and the team for elevating Royal Paving's, landscaping services. Thanks to their support, we've experienced significant growth in our business. Highly recommend their expertise!
We moved over to red and white and experienced immediate increases in leads. They are a pleasure to deal with.
Amazing service from red+white Digitally Creative, great communication from Jean and team, we appreciate you working late and making sure we are always on top of the game, great customer service. I would advise anyone to use their services without any hesitation. Their prices are very competitive.
Working with, red+white Agency has been the best ever move for my business. We are always at the top of any Google search, and they are amazing at problem-solving: their service is top-notch! Thanks, Jean and team!
Knowledgeable and efficient 👌 We trust Red + White with all our collaborations!
Strategic, attention to detail, hands on expertise. Great service! Highly recommend Red+White.
Fantastic service! Highly recommend red+white Agency for any digital marketing needs!
Excellent service!! Great creativity and brilliant communication. Thanks Jean & team!!
Awesome service
I recently had the pleasure of working with Red+White Marketing Agency, and I couldn't be more impressed with their services! From the outset, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and creativity. They took the time to understand my business needs and crafted a tailored marketing strategy that truly resonated with my target audience. The communication throughout the process was outstanding, they kept me informed at every stage and were always receptive to feedback. Their innovative approach to digital marketing helped elevate my brand's online presence significantly. I noticed an increase in engagement and leads almost immediately after implementing their strategies. What I appreciated most was their dedication to results. Red+White Marketing Agency not only delivered on their promises but exceeded my expectations. If you're looking for a marketing agency that combines passion, expertise, and a personal touch, I highly recommend Red+White. They are a powerhouse in the marketing world, and I look forward to continuing our partnership!
I have worked with a few agencies before, but none come close to the great service, communication and results we have had while using Red+White! They have managed our Google Ads account, running P-Max, Search and Dynamic Search ads - and helped us achieve a great return on investment by reaching targets for our e-commerce store! Thank you Darren and Jean for your clear communication and undying dedication to detail while handling our account!
Working with Red + White Agency has been a game-changer for our brand. Their strategic approach and creative insight have significantly boosted our brand awareness and elevated how we connect with our audience. From day one, they demonstrated a deep understanding of our goals and delivered solutions that not only resonated with our audience but also improved the overall user experience across our platforms. Their team is proactive, responsive, and incredibly easy to work with, always going the extra mile to ensure we're ahead of the curve. We've seen measurable improvements in engagement and customer satisfaction since partnering with them. If you're looking for a team that truly understands how to grow and refine your brand, Red + White Agency is the way to go. Highly recommended!
I had the pleasure of working with RED MARKETING, and I can confidently say they are an outstanding agency. Their efficiency and creativity are truly impressive, and they maintain a remarkably high standard of attention and insight for their clients. What sets them apart is their commitment to treating each client as a unique individual, ensuring that every strategy is tailored to specific needs. They pride themselves on being at the top of their game, and it shows in their results. If you're looking to elevate your brand, I highly recommend RED MARKETING!
Wow guys! Thank you to Jean and his team for making it super easy and effective to get my website and website traffic to where it is now. With so much knowledge in the space, our SEO and Google tracking has proven itself monthly!! Can't recommend this enough for ALL business 👏 Many thanks from IVgo Cape Town!
I Wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on working with Darren, Jean, and their incredible team. From the get-go, these guys have been nothing short of amazing. It’s not just their skills with Google Ads that’s impressive – it’s their attitude and approach that really stand out. Working with Darren and Jean feels like teaming up with friends who genuinely care about your success. They're super easy to work with, always warm, and bring a positive vibe that makes even the toughest of tasks seem doable. They're not just in it for the paycheck – it’s clear they're here to help us succeed, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. It’s been a great journey with them, and I can’t recommend these guys enough. If you're looking for a team that's skilled, dedicated, and truly values your success, look no further. Cheers to Darren, Jean, and the team for being awesome at what they do!
As a team of creatives, having RED & WHITE to pass our clients on to has been a massive help for our team. They offer the necessary advertising services that our team do not have the capabilities , or specialist understanding to offer. Transparent and trustworthy are the best way I could describe what to expect if you decide to work with their team. It also goes without saying they know what they are doing in the advertising space but you can ask them anything you like to bring your own peace of mind, as I mentioned earlier, they are very transparent with their capabilities and what you can expect from them.
We couldn't be happier with the results our SEO agency Red + White have delivered! Their expertise, dedication, and strategic approach have significantly improved our website's rankings and online visibility. Thanks to their efforts, we've seen a noticeable increase in traffic and conversions. Highly recommend their services!
We are incredibly grateful to Jean and the team for elevating Royal Paving's, landscaping services. Thanks to their support, we've experienced significant growth in our business. Highly recommend their expertise!
We moved over to red and white and experienced immediate increases in leads. They are a pleasure to deal with.
Amazing service from red+white Digitally Creative, great communication from Jean and team, we appreciate you working late and making sure we are always on top of the game, great customer service. I would advise anyone to use their services without any hesitation. Their prices are very competitive.
Working with, red+white Agency has been the best ever move for my business. We are always at the top of any Google search, and they are amazing at problem-solving: their service is top-notch! Thanks, Jean and team!
Knowledgeable and efficient 👌 We trust Red + White with all our collaborations!
Strategic, attention to detail, hands on expertise. Great service! Highly recommend Red+White.
Fantastic service! Highly recommend red+white Agency for any digital marketing needs!
Excellent service!! Great creativity and brilliant communication. Thanks Jean & team!!
Awesome service
See also.
SEO How to measure SEO ROI: 5 real checks for 2026
How to measure SEO ROI: 5 real checks for 2026
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AI How to get your business recommended by AI
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When someone asks ChatGPT or Google's AI for a business like yours, something decides who gets named. Here's what it reads, and how to be the answer.
Google Ads Google Ads shows conversions but no sales? 5 checks
Google Ads shows conversions but no sales? 5 checks
Your Google Ads account reports conversions you can't find in the bank. Here's why the number lies, and the 5 checks that tell you if yours is real.