Google’s search results are changing—again. With the rollout of AI-generated summaries (also called Search Generative Experience or SGE), users can now get direct, AI-curated answers right at the top of the search page. While this might feel like a handy upgrade for searchers, it raises real concerns for affiliate marketers whose content depends on clicks and conversions.
Will AI summaries cut traffic to affiliate pages? Or could they actually help quality-focused affiliate marketers stand out? In this article, we’ll explore how Google’s AI summaries work, what they mean for affiliate sites, and what you can do to stay competitive in this new search environment.
Table of Contents
- What Are Google’s AI Summaries?
- Why Affiliate Marketers Should Pay Attention
- Potential Risks to Affiliate Traffic
- Opportunities for High-Quality Affiliate Content
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Are Google’s AI Summaries?
AI summaries (as seen in Google’s SGE rollout) are AI-generated overviews that appear above traditional organic results in some searches. They pull information from various sources across the web and present it in a concise, conversational format. Think of it as Google answering a question directly, without the user needing to click through to individual links.
These summaries often include:
- Key facts or overviews
- AI-curated buying advice
- Lists of recommended products or solutions
- Source links (though not always prominently)
This represents a fundamental shift—from search and click to search and skim.
Why Affiliate Marketers Should Pay Attention
If your business model relies on people clicking through to read your product comparisons, reviews, or guides, AI summaries may cut into your traffic. Instead of visiting your site, users might get the info they need straight from Google’s AI interface.
Here’s why this matters:
- Reduced visibility in the SERPs: If Google answers a product-related question upfront, your affiliate page might not even be seen.
- Fewer clicks, fewer conversions: The drop in organic traffic could lead to a direct hit on affiliate revenue.
- Shift in user behaviour: People may begin to trust the AI summary over individual site recommendations—especially if your site isn’t seen as authoritative.
In short, the traditional playbook for affiliate SEO is going to need an update.
Potential Risks to Affiliate Traffic
Here are the main challenges affiliate marketers now face:
1. AI Cannibalisation of Clicks
When Google serves up a full product summary or recommendation list via AI, there’s less incentive for users to scroll down and click affiliate content.
2. Lack of Attribution or Poor Visibility
Even if your content is used to generate the summary, your brand might not be clearly credited—or the link might be buried.
3. Commoditisation of Generic Content
Thin product reviews, copied specs, and keyword-stuffed listicles are easily replicated by AI. These types of pages are the most at risk.
4. Higher Standards for Expertise
Google wants trustworthy, expert-led content. Affiliate marketers relying on low-effort templates without real insight or experience will struggle to remain visible.
Opportunities for High-Quality Affiliate Content
Despite the risks, there’s still a path forward for affiliate sites—especially those that invest in unique, expert-led, and community-driven content. Here’s how to adapt:
1. Double Down on First-Hand Experience
AI can summarise public info, but it can’t replicate personal stories, real testing, or niche insight. Include hands-on product photos, original data, and clear author attribution.
2. Go Deeper Than the Summary
Use long-form reviews, comparison guides, and “best for X use case” articles that go beyond surface-level info. Add value the AI can’t offer at a glance.
3. Optimise for AI Summaries
Even if you lose some clicks, being referenced in the summary still brings credibility and visibility. Use clear, structured content, concise definitions, and schema markup to improve your chances of being included.
4. Build Topical Authority
Focus your content on tightly related product categories to help Google recognise your site as a trusted entity. This increases the chance of being cited or ranked well even in AI-powered search.
5. Leverage Other Channels
Don’t rely solely on organic search. Build email lists, use social proof, and diversify your traffic sources so you’re not wholly dependent on Google’s SERPs.
FAQs
Q: Will AI summaries kill affiliate marketing?
No, but they will force a shift. Low-effort, generic content is on the way out. High-quality, original, experience-based content will still have a place—especially if it aligns with Google’s emphasis on trust and expertise.
Q: Can my affiliate site still rank in AI-generated results?
Yes—especially if you provide well-structured content, clear product recommendations, and original insights. Google often cites high-quality affiliate content in its summaries.
Q: Should I start using AI myself to create content?
AI can be helpful for content outlines or drafts, but don’t rely on it for the core of your affiliate strategy. Human experience, testing, and trust-building are key to standing out.
Q: Is there a way to track if my site is being used in AI summaries?
Not directly—yet. But you can use tools like Google Search Console and third-party SERP trackers to monitor traffic and ranking changes as AI features become more widespread.
Conclusion
Google’s AI summaries are already changing how users engage with search results—and affiliate marketers need to take notice. While the days of ranking a thin review page and calling it a day are over, there’s real opportunity here for those willing to invest in trustworthy, expert-driven content.
In short: don’t panic, but do evolve. The affiliate sites that will thrive in the AI era are the ones that actually help people make better choices—and prove it through real-world insight, not just keywords.
About Don Hesh SEO
Don Hesh SEO is a Sydney-based consultancy helping businesses navigate the fast-moving world of search. Whether you’re running a growing affiliate site or an eCommerce brand, we help you stay visible, relevant, and competitive—even as Google’s algorithms change. Let’s future-proof your SEO strategy together.
