Fresh from Google search agencies: Yes, AI fears were overblown. Q2 data proves something else.

Our latest info shows Q2 ended much stronger than the April fears suggested.

The reality was AI isn’t disrupting paid clicks, it’s just creating SEO headaches.

Here’s what’s actually happening on the ground:

1.) The Sweet Spot Effect: Google’s found the perfect CPC balance—healthy inflation that doesn’t kill volume. Smart operators are seeing this as opportunity, not obstacle.

2.) AI Max Preparation: Google’s laying serious groundwork with brand keyword exclusions and AI ranking improvements. They’re not just reacting; they’re building infrastructure for what’s coming.

3.) YouTube’s Quiet Win: Mid and lower funnel performance is improving, driving more spend. While everyone debates TikTok, YouTube is solving the attribution problem that matters.

4.) The Perplexity Reality Check: Despite the buzz, neither Perplexity nor OpenAI have launched meaningful paid ad products. Agencies are hungry to test, but there’s nothing to test yet.

Here’s my not so hot take: The brands winning right now aren’t the ones avoiding Google because of AI fears. They’re the ones doubling down on lower-funnel positioning while competitors retreat.

The opportunity is clear while consumer resilience is holding, Chinese e-commerce disruption is stabilizing, and Google’s managing the AI transition better than the headlines suggest.

While others are stuck in debate over the future of search, smart operators are capturing market share from competitors paralyzed by AI uncertainty.

Time to shake up your search strategy? Drop me a line and let’s talk.