Something has changed in the way Google delivers search results in Romania. As of August 8, 2025, specific search queries that previously displayed AI Overviews — the AI-generated summaries introduced by Google last year — are now returning standard search results without them.
This is not a complete removal of the feature. AI Overviews still appear for some queries, but the absence of previously consistent triggers is raising questions across the SEO and digital marketing community.
A Feature Rolled Out Globally, Now Absent in Some Romanian Queries
Google AI Overviews were first introduced in the United States in 2024 as part of the Search Generative Experience (SGE). By mid-2025, they had been rolled out to over 200 countries and territories, including Romania, covering more than 40 languages.
In Romania, AI Overviews quickly became visible for a broad range of searches, from factual questions to product comparisons and even travel recommendations. Their presence significantly altered the way users interacted with search results, often reducing clicks to external websites in favour of the AI summary.
The sudden disappearance of these summaries for specific Romanian searches suggests either a deliberate regional test or a targeted algorithmic adjustment.
Why Google Might Be Pulling Back AI Overviews
Google has faced ongoing criticism over AI Overviews for two main reasons:
- Quality of answers — Some summaries have been factually incorrect or misleading, sparking public backlash.
- Impact on publishers — Many website owners saw traffic drops when AI Overviews captured user attention without the need to click through.
The selective removal in Romania could be linked to:
- User behaviour tests — Measuring if fewer AI answers improve engagement with organic results.
- Quality assurance — Limiting AI responses to queries where the system is highly confident in accuracy.
- Regulatory considerations — The EU’s Digital Services Act and AI Act may influence how AI content is served in search.
Implications for Businesses and SEO in Romania
If this adjustment continues, it could reshape the search landscape:
- Organic visibility boost — Websites that AI Overviews pushed down could regain prime real estate in search results.
- Shifts in content strategy — Marketers may focus again on ranking in the traditional “blue links” rather than optimising for AI inclusion.
- Competitive advantage for early movers — Businesses monitoring these changes and adapting quickly can capture traffic before competitors react.
Temporary Glitch or Permanent Change?
Without an official statement from Google, it’s unclear whether this is:
- A temporary test limited to Romania.
- A permanent regional adjustment affecting how AI Overviews trigger.
- Part of a larger strategic shift in response to global criticism or evolving regulations.
For now, digital marketers in Romania should:
- Track keyword performance daily to identify where AI Overviews have disappeared.
- Reassess SEO priorities for queries that have reverted to classic search layouts.
- Stay alert for Google announcements or wider reporting on similar changes in other countries.