How AI Is Changing Google Search and SEO

How AI Is Changing Google Search and SEO

From Search Off the Record by Google

May 1, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how AI is transforming Google Search and its implications for SEO.

In this episode of Search Off the Record, Martin speaks with Nikola Todorovic (director of Software Engineering at Google Search) about how AI is changing Google Search. They discuss the evolution from traditional search to AI Overviews and AI Mode, how Google tests and launches search changes, and why query behaviour is becoming more conversational and complex. Nikola also explains the role of machine learning in Search, how features are evaluated before launch, and what site owners and SEOs should focus on as AI becomes a bigger part of the search experience. If you work in SEO or web development, this episode offers a clear look at how Google approaches AI in Search and what it means for the future of search visibility. Episode transcript → https://goo.gle/sotr109-transcript Listen to more Search Off the Record → https://goo.gle/sotr-yt Subscribe to Google Search Channel → https://goo.gle/SearchCentral Search Off the Record is a podcast series that takes you behind the scenes of Google Search with the Search Relations team. #SOTRpodcast #SEO #GoogleSearch Speakers: Martin Splitt, Nikola Todorovic

People in this episode

Host: Martin Splitt

Guest: Nikola Todorovic

Topics covered

  • AI in Search
  • SEO
  • Google Search
  • machine learning
  • search visibility
  • query behavior

Keywords

  • AI
  • Google Search
  • SEO
  • machine learning
  • search changes
  • query behavior
  • web development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Google

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