Next Generation
Search Optimization
SEO & LLMs
Search is shifting from a system that simply ranks pages to one that reads, synthesizes, and answers directly using AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Claude, or “Hey, Alexa!”
The old goal was visibility - eyes on screens.
The new goal is being the source the model trusts enough to cite in a zero-click environment.
What Is Next Generation Search?
AI Overviews now appear on roughly 48% of Google searches as of early-to-mid 2026, up sharply from ~6–7% at the start of 2025 AI Overviews now appear on 48% of all Google search queries as of March 2026 — up from 34.5% in December 2025.
When an AI Overview appears, users click an organic result in just 8% of visits, versus 15% when no summary shows — nearly half the click rate Google users clicked a traditional result in only 8% of visits when an AI summary was present, versus 15% when no summary appeared, nearly half the click rate.
Zero-click searches — where the user never clicks anything — reached 68% of US queries in early 2026 Zero-click searches, meaning a Google search that ends without any click at all, reached 68% of US queries in early 2026.
Healthcare queries trigger AI Overviews around 88% of the time, while shopping and transactional queries sit much lower, around 13–14% Healthcare leads AI Overview prevalence at around 88%, while shopping and transactional queries are lowest at 13% to 14%.
Top-ranking pages see CTR fall by 58% or more when an Overview is present the presence of an AI Overview correlated with a 58% lower click-through rate for the top-ranking page, up from a 34.5% decline measured in April 2025
AI Overviews now appear on roughly 48% of Google searches as of early-to-mid 2026, up sharply from ~6–7% at the start of 2025 AI Overviews now appear on 48% of all Google search queries as of March 2026 — up from 34.5% in December 2025.
“Solid traditional SEO is still the entry ticket, not a replacement for AEO work.”
How Does Assessment Marketing Do It?
Advanced Keyword Research designed not only for human eyes but also to be easily retrieved by large language models for zero-click results.
Optimized webpages specifically structured for LLMs. Each page built with retrievability in mind.
Advanced schema markup for multiple items per page - tested and verified.
Page specific llm.txt implementation.
Our Vision
Assessment Marketing is a full-service marketing house that intentionally partners with a select group of assessment distributors and executive coaches where there’s mutual alignment.
From AI and organic search, paid and organic media, content strategy, and traditional media buying Assessment Marketing handles the full marketing picture so every channel works together.
Danielle Thompson
Founder