Google's AI Overviews Dominate Software Review Searches

A new study by NetPartners Marketing has found that Google displays AI Overviews on 98% of software review searches, and on 100% of 'brand alternatives' searches. The data comes from the Recurring Commission Atlas, a free public ranking of SaaS affiliate programs.

The study measured 1,761 live Google results pages in the United States on September 23, 2026, and asked ChatGPT and Gemini questions about software categories and affiliate programs. AI Overviews appeared on 89% of software review, alternatives, and pricing searches combined, with pricing searches being the least covered at 75%. This is because Google often sends users straight to the vendor.

The study also found that independent websites earned 36% of citations in AI Overviews, while forums and video earned 23%, software vendors earned 19%, and review platforms such as G2 and Trustpilot earned 18%. YouTube was the most cited single domain, appearing in 53% of AI Overviews that listed sources.

According to Zoltan Juhasz, founder of NetPartners Marketing, 'Software buyers still research before they buy, but a growing share of that research now ends inside an AI answer.' He also noted that for anyone who publishes reviews, ranking on page one is no longer the finish line, and the pages that get quoted are the ones with original, dated numbers.