Google’s New AI Mode Could Reduce Traffic to Medical Websites

Google is transforming how patients interact with search, and the latest change could significantly affect how people find your medical practice online. With the global rollout of AI Overviews powered by Gemini 3, Google is now moving users into “AI Mode” when they ask follow-up questions in search. This shift keeps patients inside Google’s ecosystem longer and pushes them away from your website.

What’s Changing: AI Overviews Now Lead to AI Mode

If a potential patient searches for something like “best treatments for acne” or “facelift recovery time,” Google may now show an AI Overview summarizing the answer. But if they click to “Show more” or ask a follow-up question, they’re taken into AI Mode, a conversational interface that overlays the search results.

This experience removes visible source links, meaning your website won’t be credited or easily clickable, even if the information in the AI response came from your practice.

Currently, this feature is available only on mobile devices, where most health-related searches occur.

Gemini 3 Is Powering the Change

Google has made Gemini 3 its default AI model for all AI Overviews. It powers the quality and depth of these AI-generated answers, offering advanced responses across all search topics, including health, wellness, and cosmetic procedures.

While this upgrade improves answer quality, it also means Google is answering patient questions directly, reducing the need for users to visit your site.

Why Google Made This Move

According to Google, users want a more natural, seamless search experience. In testing, people preferred AI Overviews that flow into a conversation, keeping context and allowing deeper questions.

But for healthcare providers, this change raises serious concerns about discoverability, traffic loss, and brand visibility.

Why It Matters for Healthcare Marketing

To recap, this matters for marketing strategies because:

• Reduced Website Traffic: AI Overviews now dominate the top of the search results. Follow-up questions shift users into AI Mode, reducing clicks to your website or blog.
• No Source Visibility: In AI Mode, patients no longer see where the content came from, meaning no exposure for your clinic, even if your content is used.
• Mobile-First Impact: Since this is rolling out on mobile first, practices may see immediate drops in traffic from mobile searches.

Let our team help you navigate these changes.

MedShark Digital Helps You Stay Visible in an AI-Driven Search Landscape

At MedShark Digital, we help healthcare providers adapt to Google’s latest changes with a focus on visibility, credibility, and long-term growth. As AI-driven search evolves, we’ll ensure your practice stays ahead with multi-channel strategies, AI-ready content, and patient-centric visibility.

Contact our team today to stay competitive as search behavior changes, and patient journeys become more AI-driven than ever.