Google AI Overview Avoids Citing Sites Hit by Helpful Content Update

Recent findings indicate that Google’s AI overviews may exclude websites impacted by the Helpful Content Update (HCU), even when those sites rank well in traditional search results. SEO experts, like Lily Ray and Glenn Gabe, have pointed out that AI overviews seem to avoid linking to sites affected by HCU, even for branded queries. This has raised concerns within the SEO community, particularly for those offering AI SEO services. The filter may suggest that HCU-affected sites face ongoing visibility challenges, limiting their presence in AI-driven search results.