Google's AI Overview label vanishes on desktop, stays on mobile
Some Google desktop search results carrying AI Overviews are missing the AI Overview label while the same results still show it on mobile, per Search Engine Roundtable, which cites observations Glenn Gabe posted on X on October 20, 2026. Google has not commented; a similar labeling gap appeared before and was later confirmed as a bug, per the outlet. The outlet also notes the gap could help explain a separate Semrush report of fewer visible AI Overviews — though it cautions that drop could equally reflect a tracking error rather than fewer AI Overviews actually appearing.
Why it matters: A labeling gap between desktop and mobile means any tool that counts AI Overviews by scanning for the visible label — as most third-party trackers do — can undercount them wherever the tag drops out.
The record: GoogleGoogle AI Overviews
Glossary: AI Overviews
Via Search Engine Roundtable ↗
Posted to the wire October 20, 2026. Edited by Joe Balewski.