The number that every SEO strategist needs to internalise in 2026: Position 1 in Google now receives approximately 11% CTR on queries where an AI Overview is present. This is down from approximately 28% in 2021. Analysis from SISTRIX and SEO analyst Glenn Gabe, drawing on data after Google I/O 2026's AI Mode expansion, shows that the value of a #1 ranking has changed fundamentally - not in terms of ranking difficulty, but in terms of what that ranking delivers.
This article explains the data, the mechanism behind it, how the CTR curve has changed across all positions, and what strategy adjusts to these new realities.
The SISTRIX and Glenn Gabe Data
SISTRIX, the search visibility platform, has been tracking Google CTR across positions since the early days of AI Overview deployment. Their analysis, supplemented by Glenn Gabe's post-I/O 2026 commentary, shows a clear and consistent pattern:
Position 1 CTR by year (informational queries):
| Year | Position 1 CTR (Informational, AI-heavy) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 28-32% |
| 2022 | 24-27% |
| 2023 | 18-22% |
| 2024 (AI Overview expansion) | 14-17% |
| 2026 (AI Mode broadly deployed) | ~11% |
The decline accelerated significantly with the May 2025 expansion of AI Overviews and continued through 2026 with Google I/O announcements expanding AI Mode to more query types and markets.
The full CTR curve in 2026 (AI Overview present):
| Position | CTR Estimate (AI Overview present) |
|---|---|
| 1 | ~11% |
| 2 | ~6% |
| 3 | ~4% |
| 4-5 | ~2-3% |
| 6-10 | ~0.5-1.5% |
For context, without AI Overview present, Position 1 still achieves approximately 22-28% CTR - the AI Overview is specifically what creates the suppression. Positions below 1 see proportionally equal suppression when AI Overview is present.
Why Position 1 CTR Has Declined
The mechanism behind the decline is straightforward: the AI Overview block appears above the organic results and answers the user's question before they reach the organic listings. For informational queries where the AI can provide a complete, satisfying answer, a significant proportion of users get what they need without clicking any organic result.
Glenn Gabe's analysis highlights a secondary effect: the AI Overview also takes up substantial visual space on the page, pushing organic results further down - particularly on mobile, where AI Overview blocks can occupy the majority of the initial viewport. Users who do not scroll past the AI Overview may never see Position 1 at all.
Queries most affected by Position 1 CTR decline:
- Definition queries ("what is X") - nearly complete answer provided by AI
- How-to queries ("how to do X") - step-by-step AI answers satisfy most users
- Comparison queries ("X vs Y") - AI summaries reduce need to visit comparison pages
- Historical/factual queries ("when did X happen") - definitively answered by AI
Queries where Position 1 CTR remains relatively healthy:
- Transactional queries ("buy X near me") - AI Overview less prevalent
- Branded navigational queries - users want the specific site
- Highly specific long-tail queries where AI gives an incomplete or uncertain answer
- Complex queries requiring nuanced professional expertise (legal, medical with intent)
What This Means for SEO Strategy
The 11% Position 1 CTR is not an argument against ranking #1. A page ranking #1 with 11% CTR still receives more clicks than any other organic position. The argument is against overvaluing the effort and resources invested in reaching Position 1 for purely informational queries - and underinvesting in query types where Position 1 still delivers full click value.
Rebalancing the content portfolio
Informational content that targets definition and how-to queries should be evaluated for AI Overview citation potential, not just ranking position. A page that ranks #3 but is consistently cited inside AI Overviews may deliver more total brand impressions than a page that ranks #1 but is not cited.
Prioritising transactional and navigational queries
Position 1 for transactional queries ("best X to buy", "X near me") still delivers near-full CTR benefit because AI Overview is less likely to appear and users are motivated to click through. Redirecting SEO resource allocation from pure informational rankings toward transactional rankings has higher direct traffic ROI.
Building brand authority that survives CTR compression
Brands that are cited in AI Overviews maintain presence in the SERP even when organic CTR is suppressed. The residual click-through from AI-cited sources, combined with brand awareness from repeated AI mentions, creates a visibility mode that does not depend solely on Position 1 CTR.
The AI Overview Citation as the New "Position 0"
In the Featured Snippet era, "Position 0" - the box above organic results - was the premium placement. In 2026, being cited inside an AI Overview has become the equivalent: the highest-value placement above organic results, visible to users even when they do not click organic results.
The difference from Featured Snippets: AI Overview citations are more numerous (typically 3-8 source citations per response), distributed across different content angles, and harder to "optimise for" using simple technical tricks. AI Overview citation is earned through genuine content authority, complete structured data, and topical depth - not through keyword placement in the first sentence.
CTR Data by Device and Query Type
SISTRIX data shows device-level variation in the CTR decline:
Mobile CTR decline more severe: On mobile, AI Overview blocks occupy more of the initial viewport. Position 1 on mobile with AI Overview present: approximately 8-9% CTR (versus 11% overall average). This is particularly significant given that mobile now accounts for the majority of Google searches.
Desktop CTR decline less severe: On desktop, users can see more of the page above the fold. Position 1 with AI Overview on desktop: approximately 14-16% CTR - still meaningfully above the mobile figure.
Internal links
For AI Overview optimisation strategy: Google AI Mode SEO Guide 2026. For AI Overview CTR study data: AI Overviews Reduce Organic CTR by 61% Study 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Position 1 CTR in 2026
What is the current CTR for Position 1 in Google in 2026? Approximately 11% for queries where an AI Overview is present. For queries without AI Overview, Position 1 still achieves approximately 22-28% CTR. The suppression is specifically associated with AI Overview presence, not Google ranking in general.
Which positions are most affected by AI Overview CTR suppression? All positions are affected, but Position 1 loses the most absolute CTR because it had the most to lose. Positions 2-5 also see significant drops. Positions 6-10 see proportionally smaller absolute drops but were already receiving very low CTR.
Does ranking #1 still matter if CTR is only 11%? Yes. Position 1 still receives more clicks than any other organic position. The argument is not that Position 1 is worthless - it is that the ROI calculation for purely informational content has changed. Transactional and navigational Position 1 rankings still deliver near-full click value.
How does mobile vs desktop affect Position 1 CTR in the AI Overview era? Mobile Position 1 CTR with AI Overview is approximately 8-9%, lower than the overall 11% average. Desktop Position 1 CTR with AI Overview is approximately 14-16%. The mobile-first nature of modern search makes the mobile figure more representative of overall traffic reality.
What should SEO strategy focus on given Position 1 CTR compression? Three adjustments: (1) evaluate informational content for AI Overview citation potential, not just ranking position; (2) prioritise transactional and navigational queries where Position 1 delivers full CTR; (3) build topical authority that earns AI Overview citations rather than optimising solely for Position 1 organic rankings.
