A three-part research series analysing 14,728 search queries. 67.7% of organic opportunity is being absorbed by AI Overviews and SERP features. Explore the data, read the analysis, and get the research paper.
Headline absorption metrics across the 14,728-query Wayfinder AI Search Absorption Index dataset.
Keyword research is broken because it measures demand without measuring accessibility. Search volume tells you how many people want an answer. It doesn't tell you whether they'll ever reach your site to find it.
The Wayfinder AI Search Absorption Index is a three-part research series built from 14,728 search queries across four intent categories and two devices. The result? 67.7% of organic search opportunity is being absorbed by AI Overviews and SERP features before it ever reaches a website.
This series explains what that number means, why intent absorption is the real threat, and where the damage lands sector by sector.
Part 1
How SERP crowding and AI Overviews broke keyword research.
~12 min readPart 2
The AI search threat keyword tools can't see.
~12 min readPart 3
Which industries are getting hammered, and what to do about it.
~15 min readFilter, sort, and visualise the full 14,728-query dataset.
Full methodology, findings, and PDF download.
The AI Search Absorption Index combines three sub-indices into a single 0–100 composite score:
The dataset covers 14,728 queries across desktop and mobile, four intent categories (informational, commercial, transactional, navigational), and multiple verticals. Scoring was performed in June 2026.
Key findings:
Aggregate data tells you the trend. Vertical data tells you your risk.
Wayfinder runs custom Absorption Index analyses for individual sectors: sector-level absorption profile, semantic cluster breakdown, purchase-stage analysis, value-weighted opportunity scoring, mobile vs desktop risk, and actionable recommendations.
Email consulting@wayfinderai.tools to get your Vertical Absorption Report.
