Google Ads VP: Users click on links in AI answers

In the latest case of tell and don’t show, Google’s VP/GM of Advertising (Ads on Search/Google Properties) Shashi Thakur was interviewed by Marketing Brew about whether users will click on links in AI Overviews. His response:

• “We are seeing that happen.”

But when asked whether he would share any stat or research to back that claim up, he responded:

• “No stats to share at this moment.”

Why we care. Google is facing heavy criticism...