Google’s AI Overviews: Spam Apocalypse or Innovation Opportunity?

[RogerM]

Ever noticed how Google’s shiny new AI answers sometimes feel...off? Turns out spammers are hijacking the system with sneaky tricks-but is this a disaster or a wake-up call?

Here’s the thing...

Google’s AI Overviews were supposed to save us time, but crafty marketers found loopholes faster than you can say “algorithm update.” They’re stuffing pages with junk keywords, slapping on fake schema markup, and gaming headings to trick the AI.

Sounds wild, right?

These manipulated results don’t just clutter your search-they erode trust in Google’s entire AI project. What’s the point of instant answers if they’re feeding us nonsense from shady sites?

But wait, there’s a twist...

Some argue this spam surge exposes flaws in Google’s “move fast” AI strategy. If a basic schema markup trick can fool their models, how ready are they for deeper threats like disinformation campaigns?

Now, here’s where it gets messy...

Fixing this could mean slower AI rollouts or stricter content rules-both unpopular with developers and creators. Do we prioritize safety over speed? And who decides what counts as “quality” content anyway?

Don’t take my word for it...

Last week, I watched a gibberish-filled blog about “quantum pizza toppings” dominate an AI Overview. Quantum pizza? Seriously? If the system can’t spot that garbage, what hope do we have?

So here’s the million-dollar question...

Should Google hit pause on AI Overviews to fix these flaws, or double down and risk more spam chaos? And hey-have you encountered sketchy AI answers lately? Spill your stories below!

(P.S. If you’ve got ideas for stopping these spammers, the comment section is ALL YOURS...)

 

[tiiberius]

I have certainly noticed this.

It's like an SEO deja-vu. New round from ground zero. Keyword stuffing, spamming headings etc.

People are scared of it taking eating organic clicks but it might actually be a new Klondike by itself.

 

[t2van]

Isn't that more about ai overviews showing on everything tho. Rather than a game of the system?

The example you gave if no one else is spouting content for it then the ai will jump on it as a reference.

Problem is in my opinion the ai overview is no different to people also ask.

They should keep it (and I think that's what will happen) only on mainstream searches to avoid that kind of red face

 

[MR.Spuf]

Should Google hit pause on AI Overviews to fix these flaws, or double down and risk more spam chaos? And hey-have you encountered sketchy AI answers lately? Spill your stories below!

Are you talking about Gemini from Google or all of them? Gpt, deepseed, grok, claude etc?!?

For me when I do something that needs research, I use all of them and go with the one that is similar to at least 2 other replies, but better structure/overall outpul

 

[Umbreno]

I haven’t seen this outcome myself for anything logical even though i’ve tested it myself. If it’s Seems a query is very niche or conpelx it just doesn’t produce any output at all.

Not sure what results you got last week, but this is the output I got just now which is a pretty legit tbf imho

It think it’s too dynamic and intelligent to compare it to the old school black hat tricks;.