Ahrefs

News Summary:

On July 9, Gravitate's analysis, referencing Ahrefs' December 2025 data, found that AI Overviews reduced position-1 Click-Through Rate (CTR) by 58%, indicating that high organic search rankings alone no longer ensure website traffic. The same day, an explanation of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) detailed how this framework determines the content AI tools retrieve and cite before generating answers, influencing page inclusion in platforms like ChatGPT AI Mode and other AI search engines. A separate discussion on July 9 also highlighted the evolving difference between a link and a reputation, noting that while links historically served as simple votes for rankings, this distinction is becoming more significant in the search era. Previously on July 8, an article on "Best AI SEO Tools 2026" emphasized that current SEO extends beyond Google rankings to include visibility across AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Gemini, necessitating modern SEO software to integrate keyword research, content optimization, technical SEO, and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). Earlier that day, a piece on "10 Best SEO Keyword Research Tools for Agencies (2026)" underscored that selecting a keyword tool involves choosing a system that shapes how teams identify demand, assess competition, build briefs, and demonstrate results across various platforms, including Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Gemini.