Google is expanding AI Overviews for definition searches by default, meaning users no longer need to click a show more button to view the full response. Search Engine Roundtable reports that this change pushes traditional web results further down the page, requiring users to scroll past the expanded summary.
Key takeaways
- Google now displays fully expanded AI Overviews for definition queries by default.
- Users must scroll down past the overview to view standard web results.
- Glenn Gabe first spotted the rollout and shared examples on X.
- The update builds on earlier dynamic expansion features tested by Google.
How do definition searches trigger AI Overviews?
When you type a query asking for a definition, the entire visible portion of the search results page can be taken over by the automated summary. This behavior differs from previous versions where definition boxes remained collapsed until a user interacted with them. Search Engine Roundtable notes that saved snapshots confirm these automated boxes previously appeared collapsed or absent entirely.
What are search experts saying about the update?
SEO professional Glenn Gabe posted about the rollout on X after noticing the change. He called it a big heads-up for websites that rely on providing definitions and meanings. Back in August, Google representative Robby Stein explained that systems dynamically expand summaries only for topics where the feature proves most useful, stopping if a user starts scrolling.
Why it matters for definition sites
Publishers who run sites focused on dictionary entries, definitions, and word meanings face new visibility challenges. Because the automated answers now take up the top of the screen by default, traditional organic links get pushed out of view. Anyone tracking search performance needs to watch how these default expansions affect traffic and click-through rates on informational queries.
Frequently asked questions
Google now shows AI Overviews for definition searches fully expanded by default, removing the need to click a show more button to see the rest of the text.
SEO expert Glenn Gabe spotted the updated feature and posted about it on X, noting that saved snapshots previously showed these boxes collapsed.
The fully expanded automated summaries take up the entire visible portion of the search page, forcing users to scroll down to see standard web results.
Google representative Robby Stein stated in August that systems only dynamically expand summaries for topics where it is most useful, halting expansion if the user scrolls.
Sites providing definitions and meanings face a major heads-up because their organic listings now sit further down the page beneath the default expanded summaries.
Based on reporting by Search Engine Roundtable. Read the original article
