Google aggressively refines its AI Overviews for shopping searches, and new BrightEdge research proves it. The study shows Google now keeps AI summaries only for high-value queries where shoppers research and compare products. This deliberate focus turns AI Overviews into a powerful comparison tool, exactly when holiday buyers need it most. Marketers who understand the new Shopping Keywords ranking patterns gain a huge edge this Black Friday and Christmas season.
BrightEdge tracked thousands of keywords and discovered Google retained just 30% of peak AI triggers from September-October 2025, yet the ones that stayed have higher search volume than those removed. Unlike 2024, Google prioritises big commercial terms and drops low performers. Year-over-year keyword overlap sits at only 18%, signalling constant testing and reshuffling.
How Shopping Keywords Ranking Is Done?

BrightEdge’s data highlights clear patterns that every ecommerce brand must know:
- Keeps comparison queries: “best TV for gaming,” “Samsung vs LG,” “top wireless earbuds 2025” trigger AI Overviews heavily.
- Drops buying signals: Searches like “Samsung S95C price,” “buy iPhone 16 deal,” or specific model names lose AI summaries fast.
- Favors explanation-heavy categories: Grocery, TVs & Home Theater, and Small Appliances keep strong AI coverage because shoppers want specs and comparisons.
- Reduces AI in visual categories: Furniture, Home Decor, and Clothing see low retention—users prefer images over text summaries.
- November is prime time: AI Overviews explode during early research phase, peak for evaluation in early December, then fade when buyers hit “add to cart” in late December.
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BrightEdge stresses that Google positions AI as an educational layer, not a checkout button. The system helps users understand options and narrow choices, then steps back for traditional results to close the sale.
Brands that create detailed comparison guides, “best of” lists, and versus articles now enjoy top Shopping Keywords ranking in AI Overviews. Meanwhile, product pages and deal listings must double down on classic SEO for the final purchase rush.
As holiday shopping ramps up, Google’s smarter AI strategy rewards helpful, in-depth content more than ever. Marketers who adapt quickly will capture attention when buyers research, exactly where today’s battles are won.
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